Coping with Emotional Distress: Lesson One

What not to do when you've had a horrendous week and you're feeling bitter and alone:

• Don't make plans with your married friend who you have a serious crush on
• Don't have dinner with a former colleague who has the job that you deserve
• Don't write emails to the opposite sex without first consulting someone else of the opposite sex
• Don't skip lunch or only eat animal crackers
• Don't watch Pretty Woman, The Notebook or Lars and the Real Girl, etc. and/or listen to Nicole Atkins, REM or the like
• Don't laugh hysterically instead of cry hysterically
• Don't cyber-stalk anyone
• Don't accept a loan, no matter how small, from your boss
• Don't make and consume a box of macaroni and cheese after 10pm

What to do instead:

• Host a slumber party for your two favorite people and drink wine from the bottle

Lesson One complete. Please turn the tape over.