Keeping up with all my friends’ love lives has become quite a challenge. The most recent dilemma in one of their lives is a breakup that is not being handled well by the dumpee.

I get it. Breakups suck. But keeping your dignity throughout the process is something that should be done by all. Instead of late night texts and ranting, here are some simple steps to help you cope.

Step one: Write or talk it out. Your friends will be there for you and the No. 1 rule in the good friend handbook is to listen to rants. So go ahead, talk it out or even yell it. Stomp around the room or break down in tears, just don’t break your friend. If all your friends are busy, put pen to paper and write out everything you can think of. Then burn it. But don’t set off your fire alarm, so go outside.

Step two: Take care of yourself. Breakup diets to get back at your ex or not eating because you don’t feel like it are not healthy. Also avoid using food as a coping mechanism. Indulge a little, but be smart about it.

Step three: Keep your space. Even if you and your ex decide to stay friends, breaking away completely from each other right after the breakup is a good idea. This means cut all ties for a while, no even one little “Hi :/” text.

Step four: Deal with the hate phase. Go on and scream it out. Pull a “Footloose” and yell it at the Union Pacific train. You may resent your ex for wasting your time or realize that the breakup was inevitable. Let go of the feelings of anger towards yourself if you have any. Don’t tear yourself apart over something you no longer have control over or the power to change.

Step five: Remove memory triggers. Get rid of the little things that keep reminding you of them. Take a few laps around your living space and remove the things that make your heart ache or stomach turn. Don’t necessarily throw them all out, but put them away in a box somewhere. Remember, out of sight, out of mind.

Step six: Find your happy things. Do things that make you happy. Spend more time with your friends and family. Read that book you’ve been wanting to or finally go see that movie.

All in all, it will take time. Don’t rush into something you aren’t ready for.