Fresh Off a Breakup? 3 Things to Do Right Now

Former NBC reporter Ellie Scarborough founded Pink Kisses in 2010 to help women "forget their exes and find their inner bombshells." The online community features tips, tools, advice & encouragement to help women emerge from breakups stronger, wiser and happier than they were before their relationships even began. Today on Yahoo! Shine, Scarborough has some thoughts on Things to do right after a breakup.

We've all been there. Dwelling on what could have been instead of moving forward. Feeling stuck and a little bit lost. Not sure exactly who we are any more without that other person in our lives. Take a deep breath. Here are three things you can do right this moment if you've just ended a relationship.

{detach & triage}

The most difficult part of a breakup can be, very simply, accepting the fact that it's over. The most important things you can do? Remove temptation by deleting him from your phone, email and social networks; you'll thank yourself later when you realize how much you sped up the healing process by refusing to stalk him or reminisce endlessly. Instead, surround yourself with a support network: delegate two friends you'll call, email, text, or IM when you want to connect with him. Let your friends help. It's what they're there for.

{select your symbol}

Even though breakups can be incredibly challenging, there's something about a split that can actually bring out the best in us. We show the world what we're made of when we get knocked down and somehow manage to rise back up again… so select a symbol of your strength and keep it in a place where it constantly reminds you what you're capable of. It can be a meaningful piece of jewelry handed down for generations or a simple fortune cookie slip. Let it be your anchor when you're having a moment and need help remembering that you're going to make it through to the other side, stronger and wiser than ever before.

{hit the reset button}

The period after a breakup is the perfect time for redefinition, and switching up our routines can actually help us move forward in more ways than one. Scent is the sense most closely linked to memory, so toss your old perfume or body wash and replace it with something delicious that you've never worn before. Make a playlist of songs that make you smile and have nothing to do with your old relationship whatsoever. Rearrange the furniture in your home, indulge in a new set of sheets and add little touches to refresh your nest. If you know you'll run into your ex at the Starbucks around the corner, start buying your lattes elsewhere. Pick up a new book, workout routine, hobby or volunteer opportunity. Do it now, before you get used to having time on your hands that you used to spend with him. Instead of filling the emptiness with sorrow, fill it with something awesome.