Lifestyle: 10 Reasons your breakup made your life better

They say you never know a good thing till it’s gone. But when it comes to breakups, there’s another phrase that rings true: hindsight is 20/20.

In the aftermath of a messy split, it can be hard to have clarity.

So if you need a reminder, here are 10 reasons why your last breakup was a blessing in disguise:

1- Date night just got easier.: You may be tempted to think that because the relationship is over, date night is a thing of the past. Not so fast! Devote that time to caring for yourself.

2- You can be yourself again.: With the relationship in the rear-view, you can let your hair down. Get reacquainted with the “you” who was stifled while you were in a relationship.

3- You know what you want.: A bad relationship can be just the thing you need to teach you what to avoid next time.

4- Enduring pain fosters empathy.: Your breakup may have been brutal, but it taught you to have compassion for others— a trait that translates into every facet of life.

5- You have learned who your true friends are.: There’s nothing like a breakup to expose false or fair-weather friends. On the flip side, you’ll know who your true friends are by who shows up to camp out on your couch with ice cream and a box of tissues.

6- You aren’t responsible for anyone, anymore.: There’s a funny saying about breaking up with someone: it’s the fastest way to lose 200 pounds. But seriously, the best thing about a breakup is that your ex has to take his baggage with him.

7- You lost your excuse.: Unhealthy relationships come in every form imaginable. The worst relationship is one you hide behind. With the excuse of your significant other out of the way, you can finally face your fears and pursue your dreams.

8- You don’t have to hang around folks you don’t like.: Let’s be real: Your friends tried to warn you about him. And his were no walk in the park, either. Now that he’s out of the picture, you can simply enjoy the company of your friends again (without having to endure his).

9- You can hog the covers.: Or sleep in the middle of the bed. Or have five pillows all to yourself. And you don’t have to justify yourself to anyone!

10- The best is yet to come.: Closing the door on a relationship can be painful. But now that it’s over, you can open yourself up to better relationships in the future.

You never know who is waiting just around the corner . . . might be the person you’ve really been searching for all along.