| ie was single, again. After an almost four year | | | | color. New cut. New cloths - and a new tribe of |
| relationship that she thought would end in | | | | fun friends to hang out with. Explore as many |
| marriage, she found herself alone. At the ripe old | | | | ways as possible to become someone brand new. |
| age of 36 Ann Marie had no husband, no children, | | | | New church, new hobby, new job... You get the |
| and not much hope that either would happen - | | | | point. Immerse yourself in your new identity so |
| ever. Ann Marie thought Todd was THE one from | | | | completely that if you were to pass your Ex on |
| the very beginning. However, despite the fact | | | | the street he would vaguely recognize you and |
| that she thought they were on the marriage | | | | wonder where he knew that hot chick from. |
| track, he repeatedly told her he didn't plan on | | | | 3. Get a new man. I know it's not typically |
| getting married. More accurately he didn't plan on | | | | considered sage advice. However, extreme |
| marrying her. Within three months of their break | | | | heartbreak calls for extreme measures. If you |
| up Todd was engaged to someone else. When | | | | think you could never love someone else, that's |
| Ann Marie found out she was beside herself with | | | | OK. I'm not suggesting you need to find someone |
| heartbreak. | | | | to love. I am suggesting you need to find |
| Ann Marie could hardly get up in the morning. She | | | | someone you want. Mr. Right Now doesn't have |
| had a good day occasionally. However, more days | | | | to be Mr. Right. He just has to be willing and willing |
| then not she thought things were getting worse - | | | | to help you feel better. You'd be surprised how |
| not better. The old adage time heals all wounds | | | | many Mr. Right Now's there are when you look |
| didn't seem to apply in her case. Four months | | | | around. |
| after the break up she would still cry walking past | | | | 4. Take up a cause. Nothing stops a pity party |
| the park where she first met Todd. Six months | | | | faster then finding someone to help who has it |
| after the break up on the day he actually married | | | | way, way worse then you do. There are plenty |
| someone else, Ann Marie locked herself in her | | | | of them out there. Trust me. Homeless children, |
| apartment and vowed never to come out. She | | | | sick babies, shelter pets, and elderly shut-in's to |
| did of course. However, for all practical purposes | | | | name just a few. There is a cause for everyone |
| heartbreak had eaten her up. Her assessment | | | | - even the heart broken, and helping others is |
| was correct, things weren't getting better. | | | | instantly healing. |
| We have all experienced heartbreak. Most of the | | | | 5. Travel as far away as you can possibly afford. |
| time, most of us get over it. However, when the | | | | If that's France - fantastic. If that's the county |
| pain doesn't subside after a few weeks, maybe | | | | next to yours, go there. Get out your suitcase, |
| not disappear completely, but subside, it might be | | | | pack it, and get out of dodge. Most importantly, |
| time to get help. When Ann Marie called we | | | | do it ALONE. Most women are afraid to travel |
| discussed an immediate game plan. Below are the | | | | alone. They tell themselves it's about safety. |
| top five extreme ways to stop heartbreak. | | | | Really it's about fear of being by themselves. |
| 1. Move - that's right - sounds like huge deal but it | | | | Traveling alone is surprisingly cathartic. It also |
| usually works to stop heart break in it's tracks. | | | | opens you up to your lost Independence and |
| I'm not suggesting moving across the country. I | | | | leaves you feeling much stronger then you |
| am suggesting moving across town. Moving | | | | previously thought you were. As tempting as it |
| accomplishes several things. Not the least of which | | | | might be to enlist your bff for the trip of a |
| is it forces you to either pack up or get rid of all | | | | lifetime, it's worth the discomfort to go it alone - I |
| the dead relationship mementos. Secondly, it | | | | promise. |
| keeps you from sulking around all your old | | | | Update: Nine months post break up, Ann Marie is |
| romantic haunts, either dredging up painful | | | | dating a Pediatric Oncologist she met while |
| memories or hoping to run into Mr. Used to Be | | | | volunteering to read books to kids with cancer in |
| Yours. Last but not least, it is a huge job, so it | | | | the her new neighborhood hospital. The first thing |
| keeps you very, very busy. | | | | he noticed about her was her brand new striking |
| 2. Get a new identity. I'm not talking new name | | | | red hair. |
| and social security number. I am talking new hair | | | | |