1. i realize i'm going to be in for a world of hurt. in admitting to myself i'm going to be in a lot of emotional pain, it allows me to become sort of mentally prepared for it.
2. i remind myself that despite "what's coming," i'll feel better eventually - just like i have in the past. feeling sad and angry are normal and i have to let myself feel that way until it's out of my system so i can get from point a to point b, but i will NOT let it interfere with the bigger picture. this is my life, this pain is a part of it and i'm not going to suffer without reason.
i guess it's sort of a rational approach to coping with serious heartache - you get to feel all the hurt you want, but without it ruining your life. you reap all the benefits of it instead, and you end up a better person for it. there's really something to be said for literally saying outloud, "this is going to hurt, i know it's going to hurt, but i'll be okay and i'll do whatever i can to get through this." it does no good to deny your feelings, but it's just as bad to let yourself drown in them.