Dumped from a Great Height

We've all had our fair share of dating disasters, but Alexandra Heminsely, author of Ex and The City: You're Nobody Until Somebody Dumps You, has been dumped more times than most - and she's proud of it.

Yes, says Alex, there's the immediate need to work your way through a pot of Ben and Jerry's; yes it's time for the duvet and the stack of rom-coms; yes  it's time to drive your supportive flatmate to distraction with tales of what might have been. But when the tears have dried up you might just find it's the best thing that's ever happened to you - and that life for singles on the dating scene has never been so good.

'A break-up is rarely one person's fault more than the other,' Alex says. 'And even if it was, can you seriously name a dumpee who has emerged anything other than happier than she was beforehand? Of course not. The unique nature of any dumpee's agony means that you will almost always resurface wiser and have more fun.'

 But of course there are some rules you must follow to get over the initial hurt before you emerge fully-buffed and ready to crash on to the dating scene. Firstly, Put The Phone Down. Calling him is the sure-fire way to tell both him and your subconscious that you're not over him. Secondly, Don't Sleep With Him. Those pesky hormones - the ones that tell you that he's the only one you'll ever want to sleep with ever again - are not to be trusted. When you are ready to start dating someone again - and you will be, I promise - there are plenty of online dating sites and dating services ready and waiting to serve up lots of lovely singles for your delectation. Thirdly, Keep the Faith. Who wants to be with someone who doesn't recognise what a fabulous goddess you are?

The dating game is all about numbers. Get out there, meet new people, try out some adult dating services and embrace what the dating scene has to offer. And remember that life is all about the ups and downs. As Alex wisely says, 'If you don't feel any anguish at the inexplicable refusal of a hot guy to give you that fifth date, then how are you expected to feel the inexplicable delirium next time, when you realise that someone fabulous has fallen in love with you?'