Lesson 6 122 Copyright 2018 Marline E. Pearson After a breakup, it is important to have a reality check. Most people will have heartbreaks. Very few people avoid experiencing a breakup at some point either as a teenager or later in life. This is an important section. Some young people go through a serious emotional spiral down—leading to depression and even suicide—after a breakup. Point out that it is natural to feel strongly:  Go ahead and cry. Crying is a great way to release your strong emotions.  It’s normal to feel miserable when someone has dumped you.  Pick a good shoulder on which to cry. Find a person you can trust a wise person who has some perspective to offer you. A wise person will not encourage you to chase after your ex or engage in the revenge game. Briefly review Surviving a Breakup handout (Resource 6e, pg. 128). (PP) 1. Don’t blame yourself. There are many reasons why relationships end. Make a list of your positive qualities. Ultimately, you want a partner who admires you, recognizes your qualities, is as crazy about you as you are of him or her, and accepts the real you. Make a list of what you want in a partner. What can you learn from this relationship? Are there things you need to work on to build yourself up? 2. Face reality—it’s over. Don’t be obsessed with winning this person back. You can’t force a relationship. It sacrifices your dignity to beg for a relationship, to act desperate, or to try to chase after the person. 3. Stay away from the revenge game. Forget about getting even or spreading rumors. It’s immature and makes you a small person. Moving Ahead After a Breakup