Copyright 2023 Marline E. Pearson
96 • LESSON 6
Instructor note: This section is important. Some youth experience serious emotional distress and even
suicidal thoughts or attempts around a breakup.
Offer these words of wisdom to survive a breakup when you are the one being dumped:
❖ First, it’s important to have a reality check—most people will have heartbreaks. Very few people have
the luck of not experiencing it at some point. Perhaps most important in handling a broken heart are the
messages you give yourself.
❖ It is natural to feel really hurt. Go ahead and cry. Crying is a great way to get out your emotions. It’s
normal to feel miserable when someone you like breaks up with you.
❖ It is important to find a wise person you can trust to talk to, like a parent, an aunt, an older sibling or
cousin. Pick a good shoulder to lean on—not a friend who encourages drama or revenge.
Offer teens these basic tips for dealing with a broken heart and disappointment—surviving a breakup.
It’s important. Some teens go through a serious emotional spiral down—depression and even
suicide—after a breakup. (PP)
• Face reality, and don’t be obsessed with winning this person back. You can’t
force a relationship. It sacrifices your dignity to beg for a relationship, act
desperate, or try to chase the person. And you deserve to be in a relationship
with someone who wants to be with you and likes you for who you are.
• Don’t blame yourself. There are lots and lots of reasons why
relationships end. Make a list of your positive qualities. Work to make the
changes you want. Ultimately, you want a relationship with someone who admires you, recognizes your
qualities, is as crazy about you as you are about them, and accepts you as you truly are. Also, make a list
of what you want in a partner. What qualities are you looking for, and what’s important? What can you
learn from this relationship?
• Stay away from the revenge game. Forget about getting even or spreading rumors. It might be
tempting, but it’s immature and it can keep you from moving on after a breakup.
• Get perspective. Most people go through more than one romance. This is a normal part of life. From a
relationship that ends, you can grow wiser and more insightful about yourself, what you are looking for,
and how relationships should be. Talking with a caring adult can give you some needed perspective.
• Beware of rebounding. Don’t hop into another relationship right away to make your ex jealous or to
make yourself feel better. This is not a good idea at all. Give yourself time.
Surviving a Breakup
96 • LESSON 6
Instructor note: This section is important. Some youth experience serious emotional distress and even
suicidal thoughts or attempts around a breakup.
Offer these words of wisdom to survive a breakup when you are the one being dumped:
❖ First, it’s important to have a reality check—most people will have heartbreaks. Very few people have
the luck of not experiencing it at some point. Perhaps most important in handling a broken heart are the
messages you give yourself.
❖ It is natural to feel really hurt. Go ahead and cry. Crying is a great way to get out your emotions. It’s
normal to feel miserable when someone you like breaks up with you.
❖ It is important to find a wise person you can trust to talk to, like a parent, an aunt, an older sibling or
cousin. Pick a good shoulder to lean on—not a friend who encourages drama or revenge.
Offer teens these basic tips for dealing with a broken heart and disappointment—surviving a breakup.
It’s important. Some teens go through a serious emotional spiral down—depression and even
suicide—after a breakup. (PP)
• Face reality, and don’t be obsessed with winning this person back. You can’t
force a relationship. It sacrifices your dignity to beg for a relationship, act
desperate, or try to chase the person. And you deserve to be in a relationship
with someone who wants to be with you and likes you for who you are.
• Don’t blame yourself. There are lots and lots of reasons why
relationships end. Make a list of your positive qualities. Work to make the
changes you want. Ultimately, you want a relationship with someone who admires you, recognizes your
qualities, is as crazy about you as you are about them, and accepts you as you truly are. Also, make a list
of what you want in a partner. What qualities are you looking for, and what’s important? What can you
learn from this relationship?
• Stay away from the revenge game. Forget about getting even or spreading rumors. It might be
tempting, but it’s immature and it can keep you from moving on after a breakup.
• Get perspective. Most people go through more than one romance. This is a normal part of life. From a
relationship that ends, you can grow wiser and more insightful about yourself, what you are looking for,
and how relationships should be. Talking with a caring adult can give you some needed perspective.
• Beware of rebounding. Don’t hop into another relationship right away to make your ex jealous or to
make yourself feel better. This is not a good idea at all. Give yourself time.
Surviving a Breakup
