Like the song says, "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" - but it could be the best thing that ever happened to you and your partner. It can actually bring you closer together if you play your cards right. If you want to know how to go about saving a relationship you'll soon find that most of the online advice out there will suggest playing hard to get. Which is good advice. But what else? What should you do in the meantime? Remember this: the process of saving a relationship will strengthen the bond between you and your partner. If you decide to reunite, there will be more openness and trust than before, and if you do it right, you will be able to confront obstacles with confidence that you can overcome them together.

So what should you do while you're playing hard to get? Staying away from your ex will be tough, excruciating even, so you'll need to do something to pass the time. At first it won't be possible to avoid thinking about your ex. You could use that time in the beginning to reflect on the relationship and what went wrong. Try to think about it from your ex's perspective - after all, no one is perfect. This practice can really inspire you to make some changes in your life. Make sure those changes are for you, though, and not your partner. To change for someone else is counterproductive because most likely it won't last. Self improvement carries with it increases in self esteem and confidence.

What to do with all this new self esteem and confidence? Go out. Spend time with friends. Keep yourself busy and put this newfound knowledge to good use. Get to know yourself without your ex and have some fun. This is the time to expand your horizons and learn new things about yourself. Try out a new hobby or take a trip somewhere. Let this part of the breakup determine your desire to reunite with your partner.

Now, consider saving a relationship, and if it's still something you want. If it is, on what terms? What changes would you make? Once you have your answer, it's time to start communicating with your ex again. By this point, they may have already attempted to contact you. If you played your cards right, you remained aloof and noncommittal, but polite. Now it's time to give a little more. Go slowly, maybe have a short phone conversation and make plans to have coffee together. Take baby steps in saving a relationship, because too much too soon could have a detrimental effect.

Again, always keep in mind that saving a relationship should take time. If done correctly your relationship will continue into the future with a stronger bond than you had before. You can be more honest and true to yourself and your partner after you've put the pieces back together, because you'll have renewed strength and confidence that you didn't have before.