Lesson Plans > I just broke up. What do I do?

I'm here to walk you through the journey of dealing with breakup pain because I know how tough it can be. Let's start by acknowledging that suffering is a natural part of life, especially after a breakup. It's okay to feel hurt, angry, and lost during this time. Your emotions are valid, and it's essential to give yourself permission to feel them fully.

25 Minute Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan

Title: Understanding & Coping with Breakup: A Journey through Emotional Stages

Duration: 25 minutes

Objective 1:
- Students will listen to the podcast "I just broke up. What do I do?" by Iuri Melo. [Link to podcast](https://schoolpulse.org/videos/watch/181/)

Objective 2:
- Students will understand the main points covered in the article and podcast, specifically the stages of emotional healing after a breakup and the tips for moving on.

Materials:
- Access to the internet for podcast
- Printouts of the article

Procedure:

Introduction (5 mins)
1. Introduce the topic and objective of the lesson.
2. Give a brief overview of Iuri Melo's professional background in mental health.

Activity 1 - Podcast Listening (10 mins)
1. Students will listen to the podcast "I just broke up. What do I do?" by Iuri Melo.
2. Encourage students to take notes on the main points discussed in the podcast.

Activity 2 - Article Reading (5 mins)
1. Hand out printed copies of the article written by Iuri Melo.
2. Ask students to read the article, highlighting or noting key points.

Activity 3 - Discussion (5 mins)
1. Open a discussion about the main points of the podcast and article.
2. Ask students how they might apply these points in their own lives.

Conclusion (2 mins)
1. Recap the main points covered in the lesson.
2. Emphasize that it's normal to feel a range of emotions after a breakup, and it's crucial to handle these feelings in a healthy way.

Assignment:
- Reflect on the podcast and article, and write a one-page response on their personal takeaways and how they might apply this advice in their own lives.

Evaluation:
- Participation in class discussion
- One-page reflection assignment

The lesson plan is designed to be flexible and can be adapted according to the needs and understanding levels of the students. It's important to create a safe and open environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings.

One Page Handout

Title: "I Just Broke Up. What Do I Do?": Key Takeaways

1. **Understanding the Stages of a Breakup**:
- **Denial**: It may be hard to accept that the relationship is over.
- **Anger**: You might feel angry and blame your ex for the breakup. Remember, anger is energy; channel it positively.
- **Bargaining**: You might wish for things to return to how they were or negotiate for a reunion. But, unless your ex truly inspires you and adds value to your life, it's best to hold back.
- **Sadness**: You may feel sorrow and hopeless. Remember, this is a phase; it doesn't mean you'll be alone forever.
- **Acceptance**: With time, you will accept the reality of the breakup and begin to move on, focusing on the future rather than the past.

2. **Moving Forward**:
- **Acceptance**: Realize that it's normal to go through these phases. You are not weak; it's a normal part of life.
- **Distance**: Create some space from your ex. It's okay to take a break from them to heal.
- **Invest Time**: Use your energy to focus on other areas of your life. Engage in hobbies, spend time with friends and family, and focus on school work.
- **Social Media Purge**: Protect your mental health by not checking on your ex on social media. It can hinder your healing process.
- **Don't Go Back**: Remember, your brain loves familiarity, but going back may lead to the same issues that caused the breakup.
- **Hold on to Hope**: Remember, a 'no' doesn't mean 'never'; it just means 'next'. You have the power to choose who you want to be with, and so do others.

3. **Positive Outlook**:
- Breakups can be painful, but respect the decision. It's your job and theirs. Be brave, be optimistic, and remember that there is more to come. Let's move forward confidently!

Remember, everyone goes through these stages differently. It's okay to feel these emotions and take your time to heal. It's a part of growing and becoming stronger.

Quiz

Sure, here is a multiple-choice quiz based on the article "I just broke up. What do I do?", written in the first person.

Quiz:

1. Why is suffering a critical part of life?
a) It makes us stronger
b) It helps us grow and learn
c) It is inevitable
d) All of the above

2. What does the feeling of Denial mean after a breakup?
a) It's difficult to accept that the relationship is really over
b) I'm angry at my ex
c) I want to get back together with my ex
d) I feel sad and hopeless

3. How should I utilize the energy from Anger?
a) To blame my ex for everything
b) To explode and hurt others around me
c) To inspire courage to move upward and beyond the difficult time
d) To feel bitter towards the breakup

4. Why should I not run back to my ex during the Bargaining phase?
a) Because I'm supposed to be angry at them
b) Because it's a normal phase that I'm going through
c) Because I don't want to be friends with them anymore
d) Because I should be focusing on my hobbies

5. What should I do when I feel Sadness?
a) Dwell in it forever
b) Feel like I'll never be liked or loved again
c) Realize that it's a normal phase and that "No" doesn't mean "Never", it means "Next"
d) Get angry at my ex

6. What does Acceptance mean?
a) Realizing that I will never move on
b) Trying to get back together with my ex
c) Accepting the reality of the breakup and moving on
d) Feeling constantly sad and hopeless

7. What is the first tip to help move on?
a) To unfollow my ex on social media
b) To realize it's normal to go through these phases
c) To go back to my ex
d) To keep checking on my ex on social media

8. What should I do instead of going back to my ex?
a) Try to connect with them again
b) Keep checking on them on social media
c) Redirect that desire to connect and invest in another area of my life
d) Dwell in sadness

9. What does "No" mean?
a) Never
b) Next
c) No
d) Not yet

10. What should be my attitude towards the future?
a) Be pessimistic
b) Stay in the past
c) Be brave and optimistic
d) Be bitter and angry

Answer Key:
1. d) All of the above
2. a) It's difficult to accept that the relationship is really over
3. c) To inspire courage to move upward and beyond the difficult time
4. b) Because it's a normal phase that I'm going through
5. c) Realize that it's a normal phase and that "No" doesn't mean "Never", it means "Next"
6. c) Accepting the reality of the breakup and moving on
7. b) To realize it's normal to go through these phases
8. c) Redirect that desire to connect and invest in another area of my life
9. b) Next
10. c) Be brave and optimistic

Summary

Hey there, amazing people! I'm Iuri Melo, your friendly neighborhood therapist, here to talk about some heavy stuff – breakups. They're tough, right? Feels like your world is crumbling and joy is galaxies away. But hear me out, this suffering, as unbearable as it seems, it's a crucial part of life. And guess what? You're going to grow through it.

First things first, let's chat about what to expect. You might start with denial, finding it hard to accept that it's over. Then comes anger, blaming your ex for all the bad stuff that happened. But hey, here's the bright side - this anger is filled with energy that can fuel your courage to rise above this. Just be sure to direct it wisely.

Next up, bargaining. You might find yourself longing for the 'good old days' and even thinking about getting back with your ex. But hold your horses! Unless they truly inspire you and make you want to be a better person, it's better to move on.

Then comes sadness, that heavy feeling of hopelessness. You may start to feel like you'll always be alone but trust me, that's not the case. Remember, 'No' doesn't mean 'Never', it means 'Next'. Finally, with time, you'll reach a stage of acceptance and peace of mind. You'll start to embrace the reality and look towards a brighter future.

Now, remember, we all process these stages differently. It's totally okay if you experience more sadness or anger than others or if you bounce back to a previous stage. Take it easy on yourself, you're human.

So, here are some tips to help you move on. First, understand that it’s normal to feel this way. Second, create some distance from your ex. Third, invest your time and energy into other areas of your life. Spend time with friends, family, catch up on schoolwork and dive into your hobbies. Fourth, do a social media purge. Trust me, it's for your own sanity. Fifth, resist the urge to go back. It's normal to crave familiarity, but it's not always healthy. Finally, hold on to hope and optimism. Remember, 'No' doesn't mean 'Never', it means 'Next'.

So, my incredible friends, let's ride through this storm, learn from it and come out stronger. I'm here cheering for you. Remember, stay humble, stay flexible, and let's move forward with confidence. Until next time, folks!

TL;DR

Absolutely, here's the summary of your article, Iuri:

In my article titled "I just broke up. What do I do?", I guide readers through the emotional stages of a breakup, emphasizing the importance of suffering as a part of life that can narrow our perspective. I explain the phases one might experience, including denial, anger, bargaining, sadness, and finally, acceptance. I remind my readers that these stages can occur in any order and at different intensities for everyone.

I also offer practical advice on how to deal with a breakup. This includes understanding that it's normal to experience these emotions, creating some distance from the ex-partner, investing time and energy into other areas of life, performing a social media purge, resisting the urge to go back to the ex, and holding on to hope and optimism. I emphasize the importance of viewing "No" as "Next" and encourage my readers to move forward courageously, employing their best selves when choosing someone to be with. The ultimate goal is to grow through what we go through, becoming better, wiser, and stronger.

Additional Materials

Sure, I'd be more than happy to assist you. Here's the HTML code with the required information: ```html

Dear Students,

I highly encourage you to read the insightful article titled "I just broke up. What do I do?" written by our co-founder and Licensed Therapist, Iuri Melo. This article provides valuable advice and practical tips on how to cope with breakups. You can access the article here. Please take notes on the key points as it will be beneficial for our discussions.

Additionally, here are some other related articles that you might find helpful:

Remember, it's okay to feel upset after a breakup and it's important to allow yourself to process these feelings. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need someone to talk to.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

``` You can replace `[Your Name]` with your actual name.

Indiviual Activities

Absolutely, Iuri Melo. Here are three activities based on your insightful article:

1. Activity: "Identifying the Stages"
Duration: 5-7 minutes
Task: Based on Iuri's article, I understand that going through a breakup often involves several stages including denial, anger, bargaining, sadness, and acceptance. With this in mind, I will take some time to write down any experiences I've had that align with these stages. I'll reflect on the feelings and thoughts I had during each stage, and whether I reacted in a way that was helpful or harmful to my wellbeing. I'll then brainstorm ways I can better handle these stages if I ever find myself in a similar situation in the future.

2. Activity: "My Breakup Toolbox"
Duration: 5-7 minutes
Task: Iuri suggests useful strategies to cope with a breakup, such as creating distance from the ex-partner, investing time and energy into other areas of life, and staying hopeful and optimistic. Using these suggestions, I'll create a "Breakup Toolbox" with a list of strategies and resources I can use to help me cope if I ever go through a breakup. I'll add my own ideas to the list as well and keep this toolbox as a reference for future use.

3. Activity: "Future Me Letter"
Duration: 5-7 minutes
Task: Iuri emphasizes the importance of remaining optimistic and hopeful after a breakup, and understanding that "No" doesn't mean "Never," but "Next." With this in mind, I'll write a letter to my future self, reminding myself of these key points. I'll reassure myself that I'm resilient, capable of growth, and that there's always a possibility for new beginnings. I'll keep this letter and read it if I ever find myself going through a difficult breakup.

Group Activity

Absolutely, Iuri! Here's an activity that the students can do as a group, based on your article "I just broke up. What do I do?"

Activity: "Navigating Breakup Phases Together"

Step 1: (1 minute)
"Alright, students. We've just read an insightful article about dealing with breakups. Now, let's divide ourselves into small groups of 4 or 5. Each group is going to work together to navigate through the phases of a breakup mentioned in the article."

Step 2: (2 minutes)
"Within your groups, pick one person to start. Take a moment to think about a time when you or someone you know went through a breakup. Reflect on which phase - Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Sadness, or Acceptance - that person might have been in. Share this with your group without mentioning any names."

Step 3: (1 minute)
"Now, let's brainstorm as a group. Using the insights from the article, what are some healthy strategies that you think could help someone move forward from the phase you've discussed? Remember, it's okay not to know all the answers. The goal here is to think together and learn from each other."

Step 4: (2-3 minutes)
"Next, let's share our thoughts with the class. Each group will present one phase of a breakup, the example they discussed, and the strategies they came up with to move forward from that phase. Remember, we're all here to learn and support each other. There's no right or wrong answer."

Step 5: (1 minute)
"Finally, let's reflect individually. I want you to think about how this knowledge might help you or a friend in the future. Keep in mind that it's normal to feel a range of emotions during a breakup, and there are healthy ways to cope and move forward."

This activity will help students understand the different phases of a breakup, learn how to navigate them, and realize that they're not alone in their feelings. They'll gain skills in empathy, communication, and emotional intelligence.

Homework

Absolutely, Iuri. Here's a brief 10-15 minute activity based on your article:

Title: "Understanding and Navigating Breakups"

Materials Needed: Paper and pen/pencil

1. Start by saying, "I've recently read an insightful article about dealing with breakups, and I thought it would be beneficial to discuss it together. Breakups are a normal part of life, especially during the teenage years, and it's important to understand how to handle them in a healthy way."

2. Explain briefly the stages of breakup: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Sadness, and Acceptance. "These stages may not happen in order, and it's okay if we skip some of them or experience some more intensely than others. The goal is to eventually reach acceptance and peace of mind."

3. "Now, let's each take a moment to write down a time when we experienced these stages. It could be from a past breakup or even a loss of another kind. It's okay if you've never experienced a breakup or these stages. You can write about what you imagine it might be like."

4. "Looking at the stages we wrote, let's share and discuss them. Remember, this is a safe space, and we're here to support each other."

5. "After sharing, let's write down some strategies for coping with breakups. These can be from the article - such as creating distance, investing time and energy into other areas of life, doing a social media purge, not going back to the ex, and holding onto hope and optimism - or they can be strategies that we think would work best for us."

6. "Finally, let's each make a commitment to use these coping strategies if we ever find ourselves going through a breakup. It's important to remember that it's okay to feel pain and sadness, but we also need to take steps to heal and move forward."

7. "Thank you for participating in this activity. I hope it helped us understand more about dealing with breakups and how to support each other through tough times. Remember, no means next, and there's always hope for the future."

Please remember to adapt the activity to your family's needs and comfort levels. If discussing personal experiences is not comfortable, you can use examples from movies, books, or hypothetical situations.