The Dos & Don’ts Of Helping A Friend Through A Bad Breakup

I had been dutifully helping my friends through breakups for years, but it wasn’t until my first relationship ended that I realized I had been doing it all wrong.

We probably all know the importance of being a good listener, not lecturing, and not bashing a friend's ex too hard (you know, in case they get back together). But I was mortified when I realized that the questions that drove me crazy during my breakup were the very questions I found myself asking my newly single pals. It got me thinking about the right and wrong ways of supporting friends who suddenly find themselves without a plus-one — no matter who made the decision to end the relationship.

Based on personal experience, here’s a list of dos and don’ts for being a good friend during a breakup. Feel free to add your own advice in the comments section.