I remember when I was in a place where rum and cokes were a focus and I was counting the hours and days since the divorce. Time dragged, my emotions were all over, yet I had the trophy of counting the days since marriage and trying to make myself feel better because of all of the independence I had. I then would have thoughts of the family breaking up and the days away didn’t seem to matter. It was miserable.
It all changed when I focused on enjoying the process of my life. I made each situation and experience sweeter and did proactive planning of where I wanted my life to go. Suddenly the days stopped mattering. When I stopped drinking I was advised by a friend who was a past alcoholic that it is best not to think about the hours or days since drinking. He said that it keeps your mind on what is missing (the alcohol). He was so right. Instead I just focused on reprogramming my life for what I want and had my own list of exactly why I was stopping (the negative consequences I was ridding of) and the rewards of how much better life would be without consistent drinks.
I remember the day I received my blood readings on my liver after the several years of rum and Cokes. It was not good. I immediately dumped all the alcohol from the house and replaced it with tea and coffee. I have had a couple of beers since in select settings but the hard alcohol is gone. My thinking is clearer. I have more presence with my family and friends. My health is better. I am more productive.
After a breakup it is easy to keep the mind on the breakup and the time that has elapsed since it was ended. Use this time instead to place all of your mental faculties on what is going right for you and the direction you want to head. The person who dumped you will not be watching the clock and worrying about you. It is time to live your life and enjoy all the experiences that make your heart light up.