surviving breakups

i finally heard from my best friend for the first time since i left manila. she's been so out of it that it took a month before she even realized she forgot my birthday. better late than never, right? i guess that's what binibining pilipinas and law school does to you (yes, beauty and brains!).

you'd think having all that makes her life perfect. but really, she's been struggling. the worst part is reading this line: "i don't think i'll ever move on." ahh.. THAT.

we've heard ourselves say that at least once in our lives. and yet, we still manage to pick ourselves up and get our day going. it starts with one foot.. just one foot in front of the other.

i won't pretend to know a whole lot about how to survive heartache (god knows i've had my share of stupid moves). we all have different ways to deal with it. but here's how i managed to get back up after almost six years in a relationship. it's pretty universal so i'm sure this isn't the first time you're reading about it.

1. STUPIDITY. got so shitfaced so many times that i had to eventually stop going to the same bars because of the humiliation. you know it gets to a point when you realize it's pathetic, right?

2. ANGER. gave myself time to cry my lungs out and hate him till i got numb and didn't care anymore.

3. DENIAL. drowned myself in work so that i wouldn't have idle hands.

4. BACK TO BASICS. reconnected with friends i've lost touch with when my world revolved around him, and partied so much and so hard that i eventually remembered why it's not so bad without him..

5. TURNING A NEW LEAF. got a new 'do. it's true what they say -- getting a makeover really does feel like you're shedding off old skin, as well as the old bitter you.

6. LEAVING IT BEHIND. stared him right in the face and said it over and over in my head til i convinced myself it was true, "i'm okay without you." then just walked away.

the best revenge really is to live life to the fullest. focus on yourself. be the way better version of yourself. they'll realize the loss, and someone else will pick up on what's to gain. at least, that's what i think. if anything, single life is always a blast when you've got a good group of friends.

to YOU, i know you'll be just fine. =) i miss you.

ear candy: