Breaking up is always hard but it definitely changes over time. Here is a comparison on what it is like at ages 18, 25 and 30.
When your S.O. says, “We need to talk”:
At 18: You hyperventilate until you pass out.
At 25: You kinda suspect what’s coming but would rather wait to hear it out.
At 30: Oh, you know.
Where you meet:
At 18: Your parents’ house.
At 25: In a coffee shop.
At 30: “Uhm, did I just get dumped via text?”
Before you meet:
At 18: You practice all you need to say so you don’t forget key parts.
At 25: You go in with an open mind about being able to talk and discuss things.
At 30: You relax with liquid courage.
After meeting up:
At 18: You cry.
At 25: You cry.
At 30: You cry.
Social networks:
At 18: You make sure everyone knows what’s up.
At 25: You spill your feelings into loooooong emails to close friends.
At 30: Nope.
What your friends say:
At 18: “You”ll find someone better — he wasn’t worth it.”
At 25: “I’ll introduce you to someone you’ll absolutely love.”
At 30: “Life goes on.”
Memories:
At 18: You keep everything in a box, including that dirty T-shirt they left in your room that one time.
At 25: You keep only what’s important.
At 30: You get rid of everything. Time for a new life.
Time it takes to get over the breakup:
At 18: You probably already have a replacement.
At 25: More than what you’d like to admit.
At 30: You know that in a way, you’ll never get over it.