Whether you’re the dumper or the dumpee, a breakup can be brutal. But remember, this too shall pass. Once you’ve let yourself sob to Adele for a few days and devoured a tub or two of Ben & Jerry’s, it’s time to get back on track. As hard as it is, you need to let go of your ex and focus on building yourself back up to your former glory.

Here’s 4 ways to rebuild your bruised self-esteem after a bad breakup.

1) Refresh Your Look

If you’re feeling a bit run down and your skin is looking lacklustre, why not refresh your look with a non-invasive cosmetic treatment? Empire Medical Training notes that botox is generally a safe and effective option to quickly enhance your appearance and smooth any worry lines away. If botox isn’t your thing, treat yourself to a relaxing facial at your favourite spa – you deserve to be pampered while cleansing your pores!

2) Enrol in a Class

Sometimes we can get so caught up in loving another person that we forget to care for ourselves. One way to fall back in love with yourself is to spend some quality time rediscovering what makes you tick. You can do this by taking up a new hobby or rekindling an old one. If you love baking, take a patisserie class. If you’ve always wanted to learn salsa, now’s your chance. Classes (even via Zoom) are a great way to meet new people and get your mind off things.

3) Dress Up

Even if you feel like trudging around in sweatpants and Ugg boots, studies have shown that taking that extra step to dress up can drastically improve your self-esteem. High heels and a little black dress will have you feeling strong, sexy and ready to step back out into the dating world in no time. But if you feel like you’re not quite there yet, start by taking little steps, like showering, brushing your hair and applying a spray of your favourite perfume.

4) Use Your Support Network

Your friends and family have a vital part to play in helping you bounce back after a breakup. To take your mind off your ex, schedule a girl’s night out or a sinfully boozy lunch. If COVID-19 doesn’t allow it, pencil in the time for a cocktail night over Zoom. 

Don’t be afraid to let your support network know when you’re struggling. After all, grieving is a large part of moving on and many people find it easier to self-regulate overwhelming emotions when they have someone non-judgemental to vent to. Loved ones aren’t just great for listening to and validating your concerns. When you’re feeling unlovable, they can also remind you of all the unique, positive traits you bring into the world.

If you do all of the above and still find yourself feeling flat, don’t despair. Sometimes, the only way to heal a deep wound is time. The best thing you can do for yourself is to practice kindness and self-love and you’ll soon make it through to the other side.