Read It's Not Okay: Turning Heartbreak into Happily Never After for Free Online

don’t stop ’til you see blue lights in the rearview.”
    “No other way to drive it,” I replied with a grin.
    And with that, I walked out of the office and toward my next adventure.
    I had the weekend to pack before I had to leave for Los Angeles. I probably should have looked at the suggested packing list I was supplied well before forty-eight hours prior to departure because, let me tell you, when I did, I was put into a total tailspin considering all it said was: IN TWO SUITCASES ONLY, contestants should pack the following:
    •  clothing for both cold and warm weather
    •  athletic wear
    •  bathing suits
    •  heels, tennis shoes, and sandals
    •  cocktail, long, and casual dresses
    •  heavy coats
    First of all, how broad and thus useless is this kind of list? Why don’t they just tell you to pack your entire life? Oh, wait, they would, except you get only TWO suitcases. Somehow by the grace of God I managed to fit a couple of cocktail dresses, some workout clothes, one gown, and absolutely zero bikinis into the TWO suitcases.
    Sunday evening arrived, and instead of my parents seeing me for dinner, they were driving me and my two stuffed suitcases to the airport. Though we were excited, we had such low expectations, that what I was about to do didn’t really feel like a big deal. After checking my luggage curbside, I gave my mom and dad a hug goodbye and walked toward the double doors that led to the terminal. Turning, I waved and shouted, “See you in a few days!”
    “Maybe a week,” my mom optimistically replied.
    “Or who knows? Next time you see me, I could be engaged!” I said, dangling my left hand in the air at my father.
    He laughed. “Get the hell outta here.”
    And off I went . . .
    Oh to think, if I had just had the strength to resist the free drinks (that I ironically never got) I wouldn’t be here now. In fact, I would have never laid eyes on Number Twenty-Six, never fallen in love, never found out he was nothing like he seemed, and most of all would have avoided this heartbreak altogether. Where’s a time machine when you need it?
    But if I’m being honest, I have to say that something far more powerful than alcohol really got me here: it was fate. Though I’m not one to believe that “everything happens for a reason” or “it’s all part of a plan,” in a time like this, it’s comforting to know that eventually those free drinks that led to a broken heart will lead me to yet another destination.
    In the meantime, the first stop on the journey is Depressionville. Welcome! Here you’ll find an excuse to drink like no one is watching and eat like your jeans have elastic waistbands. Take advantage of this place! There’s a pity party going on here but you won’t be allowed to stay forever.
    And along with some good food and wine, every party needs some killer music. Thus, I present to you your very own breakup playlist. Don’t worry, this list won’t send you into a tailspin but rather give your broken heart what it needs to get in the right mood and get over the blues (or at least keep them at bay for a few moments). From country to pop, to hip-hop and rock ’n’ roll, I give to you . . .
    THE ULTIMATE BREAKUP PLAYLIST:
    •  “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” Taylor Swift
    •  “Since U Been Gone,” Kelly Clarkson
    •  “Caught Out There,” Kelis
    •  “Break Up with Him,” Old Dominion
    •  “No Scrubs,” TLC
    •  “You’re So Vain,” Carly Simon
    •  “On to the Next One,” Jay-Z
    •  “Survivor,” Destiny’s Child
    •  “Nookie,” Limp Bizkit
    •  “Cry Me a River,” Justin Timberlake
    •  “So What,” Pink
    •  “Love Yourself,” Justin Bieber
    •  “Tubthumping,” Chumbawamba
    •  “Riding Solo,” Jason Derulo
    •  “Blank Space,” Taylor Swift
    •  “Love Don’t Live Here,” Lady Antebellum
    •  “Love Stinks,” J. Geils Band
    •  “Single Ladies,” Beyoncé
    Time to jam