A break up, no matter who initiated it, is difficult for both the parties involved.
What makes it even harder, are the memories that are involved with the relationship.
You simply cannot erase these from your mind, therefore you will have to deal with them while you learn how to move on.
"Moving on" is the only direction that you can take after you have faced a break up - wallowing in self-pity and living in the past is a task that you cannot permit yourself to undertake.
A breakup is an arduous situation to deal with, and is hard on you and maybe on your ex.
The emotions and feelings are huge in numbers, and the act of surviving a breakup will involve a great deal of personal and inner strength.
This exercise may seem daunting, especially with a big void in your chest.
 You cannot easily fill this emptiness with anything, it is tough and extremely painful to handle.
What you should consider, however, is that you are not going to remain cemented in this position, added to the thought that you're not the first couple to break up and certainly you will not be the last.
Moving on might appear almost as tough as climbing Mount Everest to you now, but there are a few pointers that will help you make the process easier.
 Just remember that the pain and suffering that you are going through will eventually subside and you will be ready for a new life.
Here are some survival tips that you can follow starting right now! Let it all out - Yes, you read it right, cry, scream and generally make a nuisance of yourself for a bit.
Do whatever it takes to get that intense suffering out of your being.
Burn a few letters; make a few calls to your friends.
However, once you are done, do not allow yourself to get into that condition ever again.
Purge yourself of all the agony and once you have managed to burn away all the passion, and reached a level of calm - get yourself ready to go further.
You must move on now.
  Coming to terms with the finality - Once you have managed to settle down, you will need to evaluate the relationship.
Because more often than not, a break up is final, though sometimes couples do get back together after a break up.
You must answer yourself honestly if this is possible.
If not, come to terms with the finality of the break up and move away from the relationship.
  Removing the emotional landmines - There will be times after the break up, when you will stumble upon something that reminds you of your ex and all the lovely times that you once shared.
Perhaps you came across that amazingly thoughtful Valentine gift that he/she gave you last year; this could reopen the emotional floodgates.
Therefore, to help yourself heal faster, collect all the items that remind you of him/her and stash them completely out of sight.
  Keep your support system intact - Even though you have done everything to help yourself ease the torture of the breakup, you'll notice that there will be times when you will need someone who can provide you with some emotional strength and support.
For this reason, keep your friends and family in the loop about the breakup, so that they can be there for you whenever you need them.
Naturally, with a little bit of effort, and with the help of your friends and family; it won't be too long before you will be ready to embark on a fresh start - a  new journey, that is.
Remember the end of a relationship is not the end of your life.
As a matter of fact, life has only just begun.