During my longest relationship I always had it in my head that between my guy and me, I was more the dumper and he was the dumpee. Lo and behold, I was proven wrong. In truth, either person can end a relationship because there is no Alpha in a party of two. They say there are several stages to go through after a breakup. My friends, fearing the worst, immediately started offering the generic slew of advice and of course the constant reminder “you are better off.” It is so cliché that it makes you want to lash out in anger at the same people who are trying to make you feel better.

Grieving the demise of a relationship differs from one person to another. Some drink their sorrows away, some prefer to shop ‘till they drop, while others go for that almighty rebound. When the dust has settled, what exactly are you left to do but sift through what I call “relationship baggage” or simply the physical, mental, and emotional remnants that two people once shared.

Here, we give you tips on how to come out of the breakup in one piece.