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Relationships

7 Ways To Be There For A Friend Experiencing A Breakup That Seems Hopeless

Better to have loved and lost.

Sydney Wright

Feb 04, 2021

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

two woman sitting on beach sand while facing sunlight

Photo by Briana Tozour on Unsplash

'Tis the season for breakups. No really---studies show that high percentages of breakups occur around Valentine's Day. Why that is, one can't be sure. If you know someone going through a touch breakup right now, here are seven things you can do to help them.

1. Let them vent

Angry Season 6 GIF by The OfficeGiphy

Yes, it's going to get repetitive and maybe annoying (if you knew this relationship wasn't meant to last)---but letting your friend spill their emotions is key to them being able to move on.

2. Get them out of the house

Friend Help GIF by Koji YamamotoGiphy

With quarantine, this is a bit more difficult. But the last thing you want is for your friend to be cooped up in a house/dorm/apartment alone thinking about their ex. Go on a socially distanced walk with them if possible.

3. Give them space

angry leave me alone GIF by Team CocoGiphy

Sure, you might want to know all the hot gossip surrounding their breakup, but let your friend process what just happened to them. They'll tell you the details when they're ready.

4. Don't say "I told you so"

Coding Stephen Colbert GIFGiphy

When someone is heartbroken, it serves no one to say you saw their breakup coming.

5. Listen when they talk

bugs bunny love GIF by Looney TunesGiphy

Listen to their emotions, their rants, and how much they miss/don't miss this person.

6. Don't talk about future relationships

tinder swipe right GIFGiphy

Now is not the time to bring up that person from class you think would be a good match for them.

7. Look out for red flags

Sad Best Friends GIF by Lisa VertudachesGiphy

If this person's mental health takes a serious dip after their breakup, be prepared to step-in and/or find professional help for them. It's normal to be sad, anxious, and angry after a breakup, but if you suspect self-harm, don't wait to get them help.

Breakups are tough and something almost everyone has gone through. Dig out the tub of ice cream, a good TV show, and prepare for some wholehearted nights of crying. Your friend will remember your kindness in the long run.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

7 Ways To Be There For A Friend Experiencing A Breakup That Seems Hopeless

Better to have loved and lost.

1. Let them vent

2. Get them out of the house

3. Give them space

4. Don't say "I told you so"

5. Listen when they talk

6. Don't talk about future relationships

7. Look out for red flags

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10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

Socks

Blankets

Gift Cards

Hoodies and Sweatpants

Pajamas

Candles

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