How do you get over someone you love? There is no easy answer.
It is always a painful process, and often a slow one.
There are setbacks.
A year or two goes by and you think you're over someone.
Then you catch a whiff of perfume or cologne and all the pain and sadness comes flooding back.
How can you protect yourself against all that? This article will tell you how.
The end of a relationship in which you have years of emotional investment can make you feel sad for years, maybe the rest of your life.
  But the sadness does not have to be paralyzing or throw you into a depression.
Have faith that one day, you will be able to look back on the break-up as you would any sad loss.
But it can be hard to have such faith, right now, directly after the break-up, when the emotional wound is fresh.
  You must face the pain and ride it out.
It will hurt, no matter what you do, but you can take measures to lessen the agony.
Avoid restaurants you two visited together.
Remove obvious visual reminders of your ex.
Definitely store away snapshots of the two of you together.
Even box up gifts your ex gave you.
If you are really miserable, seek therapy.
  Explain that you are enduring a traumatic break-up and need helping in getting over someone you love.
The therapist can offer support and guidance tailored to your personality and your break-up.
  This advice could well be better, more objective, than any you would get from family or friends.
Your loved ones might think they know you well enough to advise you, but they might have private motives for helping you get over someone.
Suppose they never liked your ex? They might be impatient with your sadness and try to push you to move on before you're ready.
You can also tell a therapist things you don't feel comfortable sharing with family or friends.
You needn't feel ashamed of seeking professional help.
It is the smart thing to do.
And do keep seeing the counselor for as long as you need to.
With the help of a good therapist, you will no longer fear the pain of missing your ex.
You will know what to do when aromas or sounds suddenly remind you of the person.
You will emerge strong and clear-headed.
You will feel good about yourself, confident in your ability to protect yourself emotionally and make good romantic choices.