Dealing with Best Friend's Break Up

If you are living vicariously through your best friend's relationship, deciding the next text and gobbling down their anniversary chocolates, prepare yourself to take the blow when things come crashing down. And here's how you deal.

SPEAK WISELY  

Your once intellectual, considerate best friend is now a ticking time bomb of sentiments ready to go off with a misplaced syllable. Instead of "Get over it," say, "This might take time." Don't boss them around with "Time to put on pants, go out and socialize." Go for "What do you want to do today?" But careful, don't patronise them too far. Your kindness can be deciphered as pity. Swallow your comebacks against their bawling and blaring of profanities. They'll be getting judgement from the rest of the world. All they need from their best friend is support and a hug. (If they're a non-hugger though - abort). Careful not to bring up your past relationships in reference, don't steal the spotlight from the heartbroken best friend. Let them embrace their misery.

RESIST THE URGE TO ROLL

YOUR EYES

Heartbreak may make people say irrational, ridiculous, cringe-worthy things; cut the emotional peeps some slack and muster up all your patience. Your best friend needs to be able to open up to you of all people, and rolling your eyes at their misery would only find you in hell for being the horrible human being you are. If you must though, roll your eyes over the phone or master the art of doing so internally. After all, one can only bear so much drama.

KEEP THE PHONE AWAY

It's not rare for the heartbroken to stupidly call up their ex under the influence of severe emotional outburst. Whether it is to beg them to come back or to curse their chouddo gushti, you can't have that. Phones or any other medium of communication with the ex must be kept at safe distance from your best friend. Otherwise you just might have to end up explaining your best friend's parents why they have a restraining order.

DISTRACTION IS KEY

No better distraction than movie time. Selection of movies however gets tricky. Romances are a no-no, regardless of what countless films have taught you so. Perfect relationships will only make them weep harder over their failed ones. Instead go for one featuring triumphant underdogs for some solid motivation.

DON'T ADMIT YOU NEVER

LIKED HIM

While they're going through a split might seem like the perfect time to tell you best friend how much you loathed their ex, it's not. If the now broken couple decides to get back together, your best friend will remember this and that just might lead to yet another break up you will be far more involved in.

BRACE YOURSELF

Dealing with your best friend's breakup is just as stressful as your own, if not more. So take a long cold shower and share that tub of ice-cream with them. You too are a part of this breakup, and you must pucker up the strength to pull through if you're going to be dragging your best friend with you. 

Samin Sabah Islam is on a quest to find the perfect diet while simultaneously swallowing the last slice of pizza. Throw her some tips at [email protected]