MOVE FORWARD

Here are the Seven Steps that you need to take to move forward and recover from the end of a break-up.

1. Recognize that you won't feel this badly forever. While you're in the midst of it, you can't see that time will heal . . . but it  will.

2. Accept that the relationship really is over. People keep hanging on, hoping that things will improve when they know that there's no hope. It prolongs the pain.

3. Integrate the fact that your former partner has changed and may be beyond caring for your welfare. As much as you just wish that you could bring him or her back to the way they used to be, they have already moved on.

4. Understand why he/she needs to justify his/her actions any way possible-including rewriting history, lying or attacking you. In order to avoid feeling so guilty, the person who leaves often exaggerates any negatives in the relationship to help them feel better.

5. Give up trying to get the acknowledgment and apology that you deserve. You can't always get closure - you have to know when to cut your losses and just give up trying.

6. Turn your focus from the past to the future. It takes a conscious effort to stop ruminating on the past and start planning for your future.

7. Celebrate your new life as a single person. Life is long and there is always a chance for happiness if you look for it!

MOVE ON GIRL

14 things to start doing now:

1. Find your happiness from within
2. Be grateful for the wonderful things in your life
3. Find your passions and focus on them
4. Get healthy from the inside out
5. Focus on the present moment and know that all is well
6. Connect and spend time with your family and friends
7. Enjoy hobbies and activities that you've been meaning to do
8. Do things to refresh, renew and soothe your soul
9. Exercise and workout
10. Listen to uplifting music
11. Keep a journal
12. Read positive books
13. Create a bucket list and start doing things on your list
14. Apply lessons (what you've learned) from your past relationships to create your ideal love life

Be patient and gentle with yourself during this time. It takes courage to move forward and becomes easier once you start. Try a few of the stops and starts. As you become comfortable with them, take on additional ones.

MOVING ON TIPS

If you've recently broken up with the supposed love of your life, here are 14 sure-fire ways to get over him and move on to greener pastures.

MAKE YOURSELF OVER

Avoid those awkward post-breakup run-ins with your ex at the grocery store, where he's looking irresistibly cute — and you're sporting sloppy trackies and a greasy ponytail. If you start looking hot around the clock, you'll begin feeling sexier and more confident.

PAMPER YOURSELF

Treat yourself to weekly at-home manicures and pedicures. Not only will you have polished and shiny nails, but your weekly appointment with yourself spent pampering and preening will keep you distracted and busy.

REMEMBER HIS BAD SIDE

Create a list of all the things you didn't like about your ex: include EVERYTHING, from how he bit his nails to his possessive attitude. Keep the list in your handbag and break it out every time you're tempted to call or text him!

START A BLOG

Create a blog under and anonymous name, and vent away.

START A HOBBY

Ever wanted to learn Tai Chi? Or enroll in an Italian cooking class? Or take a course in photography? With all of your new free time, this is the perfect time to take on a project you've always wanted to do.

TAKE A TRIP

If you're finding it tough seeing the same familiar spots that you two used to frequent as a couple, grab your best girlfriends and head out of town for the weekend.

DON'T FREQUENT HIS FAVOURITE HANGOUTS

I know you're hoping to bump into him, but you just might get what you wish for. How much will it suck if he ignores you? Or — worse still — what if he has new female company, already? Save yourself the heartache: don't go there. Literally.

DON'T CALL HIM

Or text. Or email. Or Skype. The only way to truly move on is to break off all communications.

BREAK A SWEAT

Hitting the gym will not only make you feel better about yourself, but it'll help you get rid of any 'relationship weight' you may have gained while you and your ex were together.

GO OUT WITH THE GIRLS

The best part of a break up is reconnecting with your girlfriends. Plan a girl's night in with DVDs, snacks and sharing gossips, or head out for a night of singing and dancing.

GET RID OF HIS STUFF

If he's left any of his things at your place, pack them into a box and ask a friend to return them to him.

TRY A NEW HAIRSTYLE

It's the classic post-split ritual, but there is something liberating about changing your hairstyle after a breakup. Just don't do anything drastic, like lobbing off all of your locks — down the track when you're feeling better, you may live to regret it.

KEEP YOUR OWN STYLE

Don't be temped to overhaul your entire wardrobe in an attempt to reinvent yourself. It's expensive and unnecessary — you're lovely just the way you are.

CLEAN THE HOUSE

If ever the timing was right for a spring clean, this is it! Start with your wardrobe and cabinets, and move through to the living room and kitchen. Getting rid of your old crap and his old crap at the same time is the ultimate cleanse!

JUST LET GO

I wrote this poem when I was going through a hard time dealing with a break-up. I was watching TV, and I heard the words "You've gotta learn to just let go". Those words really stuck with me. So I grabbed my notebook and started writing. I hope this poem helps some of you get through those hard break-ups. 

We had a lot of fun

When we were together

I'll never forget

I'll always remember

The laughs that we shared

The dreams that we had

But those dreams changed

And they left me sad

I know you've moved on

And found someone new

But I have to admit

I still wish for you

This isn't healthy for me

I really need to stop

When I think about our past

My heart wants to pop

So as I say my last goodbye

I want you to know

That I'm trying my best

To learn to just let go