Don’t know how to get through the day

[BlueTuesday3]

On Sunday my partner and I ended our relationship. We’d been together 18 months so it wasn’t the longest of relationships but I feel broken.
I have to go into the office today (I work from home on Mondays) and I don’t know how I’m going to get through the day when I feel so empty and achey. I don’t really discuss my personal life at work so I don’t really want to go into it much, or even acknowledge it at all, with my colleagues but I feel sick thinking of having to put on a front for the next 8 hours.

For those who have been in this boat - how do you put on a brave face when you hurt so much inside? I feel so stupid and weak for not being able to just get on with the day and I keep crying and I don’t know how to do this.

There’s something bone crushingly awful about being sad at work. Your times not your own, it’s harder to distract yourself. What can you do? Hopefully you’re not en route already but when I needed a pep to get through the day I’d make sure I was wearing something comfy but also that made me smile- bougier than usual. And have snacks/ plan coffee breaks. Are you in an office?

My relationship of the same length ended on Friday. It's also my first day in the office afterwards. And I too have tended to keep my personal life personal at work (I only mentioned the person I was dating for the first time a few weeks ago - thinking the relationship was secure by that point!)

I don't know if it will help you, knowing your have a relationship doppelganger, also going through this today. But I hope it does.

Hugs to both of you 🥺

Thank you for your replies, I wasn’t hopeful that there would be anyone around at this time of the morning. @Lamelie i am in an office, I’m planning trip to the Pret next door for a coffee at some point today. Thank you for your advice, I really appreciate it!

Sending you love @Identicalship and I hope the day isn’t too difficult for you 💛

In the olden days Mumsnet used to have a work mode- no adverts or banners, it just looked like a document. Made for days like this! Look after yourselves.

I am struggling - I feel like my heart is crunching up inside my chest

@BlueTuesday3
Breathe.
Try the 5-4-3-2-1 methodWorking backward from 5, use your senses to list things you notice around you. For example, you might start by listing:

• 5 things you hear
• 4 things you see
• 3 things you can touch from where you’re sitting
• 2 things you can smell
• 1 thing you can taste

Make an effort to notice the little things you might not always pay attention to, such as the color of the flecks in the carpet or the hum of your computer.

I would definitely have called in sick.
Take a couple of days off, it's your life at the end of the day.
It's not like you go through this every other week.

I had this with a relationship only 7 months. This was decades ago. I struggled to concentrate in work but friendships helped. Spent time with friends and just kept myself busy. This was before mobile phones/emails/social media.

Now I would block his number/social media and not look up mutual friends or him.

It gets easier over time but I understand it’s raw right now.

Honestly, I would call in sick for a couple of days. Get your PJs on and get into bed with a cuppa and binge watch some rubbish tv.

I really wish I had stayed home. He told me that he’s met someone else and it’s too painful to tell people about. I can’t wait to get home and go to bed