I have eaten heartbreak, and I have caused heartbreak. I've been unexpectedly dumped by my high school sweetheart, and I've undone a decade-and-a-half relationship. I have sat on the floor of a once happy cohabited home and divided a CD collection into his and her piles. I consider myself an expert on the subject.

Recently, it happened again. I sailed into love, only to drown in the treacherous waters of indecision, torment, and grief. Not to mention a nasty case of irritable bowel syndrome.

But there are ways to ease the pain. What follows is my 12-step plan to move past despair and ride into the rosy future of your next romantic disaster.

— Ethan Gilsdorf, Globe Correspondent