Break up - what advice to give?

[mashmac]

Now that I've recovered at last and are on the other side of the tunnel, that the poison has been drained out of my body and soul, I would be expected to be wiser, to know what to say to others in the same situation, to encourage them... and yet the only think that comes to mind is :"Oh my God, they must be hurting like ****, like I did, nothing I can say will make this pain go away". And I almost want to cry for them.

One always hurts more than the other, one always feels more guilty to have caused that pain but there is no miracle cure.

Let's try again: what can we do to help those we care about and that are going to have to endure that pain sometimes for very long?

I know I will shield myself from such pain in the future but that's easy as I never want to suffer like that again. But that's not the point, the point is what can we really do that could make a difference? If anything.

[Tuxie]

I've found that it often helps just to listen. Those experiencing a break up sometimes feel like venting, and those willing to listen are what they need. They don't even hafta offer any feedback. Just getting it off their chest is the best medicine. :)

[aussiecoffee007]

i know what you mean, mashmac, when i broke up with my boyfriend it felt like my friends never knew what to say. i guess, just agree with them no matter what they are venting about, because it hurts like crazy to be venting and have someone interrupt and disagree with you... just make them feel listened to, and past that, a good hug and some chocolaet can do the trick.