How to get over a break up and be happier than before

11. Think about all the Aspects of your Life you should be Grateful for

So your love life isn't the most happening thing at the moment. But we can't have it all. Look at all the areas of your life that are sailing along smoothly. And revel in them. Seize happiness from little things like a good bargain or a great boss and of course wonderful family and friends. In fact, now that you don't have to invest time and energy in your love life use this opportunity to strengthen and cement your relationships with friends and family.

TIP: Read the guide to prevent a break up or get back with your ex.

12. See the Big Picture

Take stock of your life and look ahead to where you want to be in a few years. Envision realistic goals for yourself. Place yourself in your new life plan and you'll probably find yourself looking back and laughing at all the agonizing you're doing right now. In fact think about some of your earlier crushes/relationships and how silly you find them now. There might be times you still feel terrible but assure yourself it is only temporary.

13. Ask your best friend to Praise you

Have a close friend tell you all your positive points. Why they value you as a friend and how much they treasure your presence in their lives. It feels great to have someone reinforce our worth and provide a boost to our self-esteem.

14. You can still be Friends

If your relationship didn't end on a bitter note and was a mutual decision you can still be friends. Like Larry a stock broker who recently broke up with his girlfriend of 6 months who worked in shifts at the airport. "Our erratic timings - my long hours coupled with her shifts guaranteed we almost never saw each other. And in our case absence didn't really make the heart grow fonder. We are both very volatile personalities and would bicker over the silliest things. But we somehow ended amicably and occasionally chat or go out in a group. In fact she's a generous soul and since she knows me so well she's promised to set me up with a friend of hers. Not working in shifts of course!"

II. BE PROACTIVE IN YOUR RECOVERY

Its only human to have your past still come back to haunt you. But you don't have to dwell on it or rehash it over and over again. Now its time to do something concrete about hastening your recovery. A word of caution: make sure you don't overwhelm yourself to the point where you have too much to do and it becomes stressful!

15. Get rid of Everything that Reminds you of your Ex

You don't need that extra clutter in your life. Junk all the souvenirs, cards and memorabilia. You really don't want to go down that road. In fact, if she wrote you a letter to break up that's the first thing to hit the flames. However if he was a lavish lover and you really dig the cool bracelet he gave you don't let your heart rule your head. Keep it! There will come a time when you can flaunt it without thinking of him with that ache in your heart. That will be the time you're truly over him.

16. Make a List (Of things you can do Now that you couldn't when you were Seeing your Ex)

Write down, let's suppose, the top 5 things that you couldn't do because they didn't like it. For instance, meeting a friend she didn't approve of or getting a tattoo or even wearing that bikini he frowned upon because it was too skimpy!

17. Redecorate your home or your room

If you were living together this is the perfect excuse to erase all memories of your ex by redecorating, especially if the earlier décor was more to her taste than yours. If you live at home be creative and channel your energies into adding some sparkle and color to your room.

18. Don't sit at home and brood

Don't stay home and wallow in your misery. Get out of the house whenever possible and soak in the sunshine.

19. Create a happy Environment.

Surround yourself with positive people. Watch your favorite cartoon (even Tom and Jerry does wonders) or a perky sitcom. Play funky music that can pep you up. Avoid convoluted soaps and slow songs that make you long for your partner. Break up survival tip: Serials you used to watch together and playing "our song" are best avoided.

20. Focus on your Self-image.

If you're overweight lose weight. Pay particular attention to your appearance...feeling good on the outside will help you feel good on the inside.