It is never easy to have a relationship come to an end, regardless if you were the person to end it or on the receiving end. Heartbreak is bound to rear its ugly head...the feeling that your heart is in 73 different pieces and you are not sure where to start piecing it back together. Trust me, I understand that feeling...

I made the decision to end a long-term romantic relationship with an absolutely incredible man. I did not end this relationship because I no longer loved him, quite to the contrary. I ended the relationship because we lived 5000 miles apart and the distance was really making things very difficult for both of us.

Frankly, I disliked the person I was becoming around the distance issue; always questioning, wondering when we could be together. It did not feel good to harp and it was eating away at both of us. I realized that it was unfair to him and to me so I did the hardest thing in hopes of salvaging our friendship; a friendship that means the world to me.

So what do you do when your heart is in pieces?

The first inclination might be to get in bed and pull the covers over your head or to sit in a corner and cry your eyes out. Just know those feelings are natural and all a part of the healing process

Feel your feelings through and try not to stuff them. Stuffing them will only prolong the healing process.

Talk about your feelings with someone you trust, someone who will be there to listen to you and support you. Often times sharing how you feel will help you to work through the pain and provide you with the things you need to start healing.

Realize that you are going to have good days and bad and that is OKsome days will be easier than others. Remember, take it one step at a time and go easy.

Be kind to yourself. This is probably the most important thing you can do. Try not to beat yourself up or call yourself names. You are already hurting, so why add to it? Instead, try to do something nice for youget out with some friends, take a walk, read a book.

Give yourself time to heal. It is not uncommon to want to jump into another relationship when you are hurting. In doing so you are not giving yourself the time you need to resolve your feelings or to let go of any pain. Not only is this unfair to you, but it is also unfair to the new person in your life.

Trust yourself that you will do what you need to do to heal and move forward.

Please just be good to you and take care of you, because you are important.

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