How to Deal with Breakups

How Builders Deal with Breakups

I went through two breakups in less than a year.

Both of them were me realizing something simple: it wasn’t working.

And I’ll be honest with you…

At first?

I felt relief. Freedom. Lightness.

Like I dropped a weight I didn’t even realize I’d been carrying for months.

But then…

A couple days later…

I got hit with a ton of bricks.

The Wave

Sadness. Guilt. Doubt.

That quiet voice in your head: “Did I make a mistake?”

That’s the part nobody talks about.

Because people think if breakups are “right,” they should feel clean.

Like flipping a switch.

They don’t. They almost never do.

You can make the right decision…and still feel like shit.

Don’t Avoid It

Most people do one of two things:

  • Distract themselves immediately
  • Or run back to what they just left

We do neither.

We sit in it. We feel it. We don’t panic.

Because we understand something important:

Pain is part of the process—not proof you were wrong.

The Difference Between Loss and Misalignment

Here’s where most men get tripped up.

They feel the pain…

…and assume:

“I must’ve lost something good.”

But that’s not always true.

Sometimes you didn’t lose the right person.

You lost:

  • Misalignment
  • Friction
  • Something that never fully clicked

And what you’re feeling now is:

The loss of the idea…not the reality.

And the idea is always cleaner than the truth ever was.

Trust Your Signals

Before the breakup, there were signs:

  • You didn’t look forward to seeing her
  • The excitement wasn’t there
  • The lifestyle didn’t match
  • Something felt…off
  • Fights, conflict, and drama

Your body knew before your mind admitted it.

That’s why the desire dropped. That’s why you pulled back.

That wasn’t dysfunction.

That was awareness trying to break through.

The Trap

Right after a breakup, your brain will try to rewrite history.

It’ll say:

  • “It wasn’t that bad…”
  • “Maybe I overreacted…”
  • “Maybe I should reach out…”

But here’s the truth: You didn’t make that decision on a bad day. You made it after a pattern.

And we don’t ignore patterns.

Patterns are data. And data doesn’t lie.

Trust yourself.

Clean Endings Over Messy Attachments

Dragging it out doesn’t make it easier.

It makes it worse.

  • More confusion
  • More false hope
  • More emotional damage
  • More wasted time

We choose clear and early over slow and drawn-out.

Even when it’s uncomfortable. Even when it’s hard. Even when it’s easier to stay.

You Can Care…and Still Walk Away

This is the part that messes with people.

You can:

  • Respect her
  • Care about her
  • Appreciate the time

…and still say:

This just isn’t working.

That’s not cold.

That’s clarity.

The Aftermath

After it’s over, you’ll feel relief. Freedom. Weightlessness.

But then you’ll get hit.

Because your emotions lag behind your decisions.

Sadness.

But you have confirmation.

Because if it was truly right?

You wouldn’t feel relief.

Trust that.

What to Do Next

Don’t spiral. Don’t chase distractions.

Return to:

  • Your routine
  • Your purpose
  • Your standards

Rebuild your energy where it matters:

  • Physique
  • Business
  • Family

Because that’s what moves life forward. And forward motion is the cure.

The Upgrade

Every relationship teaches you something.

These two taught me:

  • What I don’t want
  • What doesn’t work
  • What I actually need
  • What to do moving forward

That’s not a loss.

That’s a lesson. That’s refinement.

You’re not starting over.

You’re starting sharper.

Final Thought

Breakups aren’t failures.

They’re progress.

They’re teaching you what works and what doesn’t.

With every breakup, you’re learning about yourself.

With every breakup, you’re getting closer to a woman that actually fits your life—not fights it.

Sunday Sendoff #45: You Can’t Bubble Wrap Life

Brickwall's Sunday Sendoff

My son fell off a scooter this week and broke his arm.

And yeah—I felt it immediately.

That punch of guilt.

I’m his Dad.

I should’ve said no. I should’ve set better rules. I should’ve protected him.

That’s where your mind goes.

Backwards.

Replaying it. Rewriting it. Trying to fix something that’s already done.

But here’s the truth:

He’s ridden those scooters hundreds of times. The risk was always there. I accepted it.

Because you can’t bubble wrap life.

Kids are going to run. Climb. Fall. Get hurt. That’s part of growing up. That’s part of living.

And if you try to eliminate all risk…you don’t raise a strong kid.

You raise a fragile one.

So yeah—it happened.

It sucks.

But we handled it. We got him taken care of. He’s healing. He’ll make a full recovery.

That’s what really matters.

And it gave me something I didn’t expect:

Perspective.

It reminded me how much I love him. How much I take for granted.

His health. His energy. His presence.

The normal, everyday moments that feel so routine…until something shakes you awake.

I’m not taking that for granted anymore.

Here’s the bigger picture:

You can play it smart and minimize risk…but bad things are still going to happen.

To you. To your family. To the people you care about.

You don’t get to control that.

What you do control is your response.

Are you going to sit in guilt? Beat yourself up? Shut down?

Or are you going to step up?

Accept it. Handle it. Make it right.

Then move forward.

That’s the job. That’s the standard.

Because life doesn’t stop.

And neither should you.

Guiding Principle

It’s less about what happens, and more about how you respond.

Something to Ponder

When things go wrong, how have you handled it in the past? How could you have handled it better? How are you going to handle things in the future?

See You In the Arena

This week is just about over. Next week is just about here. Let’s keep building.

Brick by brick.

Sonny the Alien: The Case of Really Bad Timing

Sonny the Alien

Earth Log Entry #17: Hoopus Interruptus

Sonny, Chad, and Vanessa were on the couch watching the NBA playoffs.

TV blaring. Final minutes.

Chad was standing. Vanessa was pacing.

Sonny sat on the couch, watching stoically and crunching numbers on his laptop. “The Timberwolves still have a 48% chance of winning the game.”

Vanessa glanced over. “You’ve been saying that for five minutes, Good Will Hunting.”

Sonny didn’t look up. “The probability has remained consistent.”

Chad gestured with his hands. “We’re good. A couple stops and we’re in control.”

Vanessa took a sip of her soda. “Yeah, we just gotta stop the best scorer in the league.”

Chad shrugged. “If anybody can shut him down, it’s us.”

Sonny looked up. “Win probability has dropped by four percentage points.”

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

They all looked to the door, then at each other.

Chad turned back to the TV. “Not a great time.”

Sonny stood up. “Someone appears to require access to us.” He walked to the door and opened it. “Oh. Hello, Dale.”

Dale sauntered in, bathrobe on. “Hey Sonny. Hey y’all. Quick question…you guys know when Chipotle closes?”

Vanessa gestured toward the TV. “Not now, Dale!”

Chad looked over. “Really bad timing, dude.”

Sonny, still at the door, folded his arms and peered at him. “This moment in time is suboptimal, Dale.”

Dale chuckled nervously and backed toward the door. “Okay…I’ll just give ’em a call.”

Sonny closed the door and sat back down.

Shot goes up.

Ball clanks off the rim.

Horn sounds.

Sonny glanced at his laptop. “…0%.”

Vanessa dropped onto the couch. “We can see that.”

Chad stood frozen, hands on his head. “…that was it.”

The door cracked open. Dale poked his head in. “Chipotle closes at 11.”

They all turned and glared at him.

Dale nodded. “Just FYI.” He closed the door.

Chad sighed. “A burrito does sound good right now, though.”

Vanessa nodded in agreement.

Sonny took out his Earth Log device and began typing.

Sunday Sendoff #44: Cut What Doesn’t Fit

Brickwall's Sunday Sendoff

Sometimes we try to hold onto things that just aren’t working.

Things that might’ve fit in a past life. Things that worked for a past version of you.

We try to force it. We do mental gymnastics. We rationalize it. We tell ourselves it’ll get better.

But right now?

It’s just weighing you down. Holding you back.

Cut it.

Life’s too short to carry dead weight.

Alignment is everything.

If it doesn’t fit your life, your mission, your direction—

it doesn’t belong.

Over the past couple years, I’ve ended a lot of things.

Things I could’ve held onto. Things I could’ve tried to revive.

But I knew—deep down—it wasn’t right.

I was just dragging it out.

And that costs you.

Time. Energy. Focus.

We want to make things work. We want to fix it. We want to build something solid.

But you can’t build things on a shaky foundation.

And you can’t force something into place that doesn’t belong there.

So don’t.

Cut it.

Guiding Principle

If it doesn’t fit…cut it.

Something to Ponder

What are you holding onto that isn’t working? What are you forcing? What needs a clean cut?

See You In the Arena

This week is just about over. Next week is just about here. Let’s keep building.

Brick by brick.

Sonny the Alien: The Skyscraper

Sonny the Alien

Earth Log Entry #16: Getting Vertical

Chad and Sonny were on the basketball court at a local park on a Saturday afternoon, locked in during a competitive game of 2-on-2.

Chad dribbled at the top of the circle, breathing heavy, sweat soaking through his headband. “14–12. Us.”

Sonny moved effortlessly around the court. “I am open, at the left corner!” Sonny called.

Chad sent the ball over with a crisp pass.

Sonny caught it, set his feet, and released—perfect form.

Swish.

“Game!” Chad yelled, jogging over for a high five.

They shook hands with the other team and walked back to the bench.

Sonny took a long drink of water. “Who would have thought placing a leather sphere through an iron ring could be so enjoyable.”

He paused. His eyes widened. “…Chad.”

Chad stretched his hamstrings, not looking up. “Yeah?”

Sonny gestured over to the far end of the court. “That human appears to be…vertically enhanced.”

Chad glanced over. Then did a double take. “Oh. Wow. That’s Jellybean Johnson.”

Sonny blinked. “Jelly…bean?”

Chad took a sip of water. “Played for the U back in the day. Then overseas,” Chad said casually. “I heard he shows up here sometimes.”

Sonny stared. “What is his exact height?”

Chad put his water bottle down. “Seven foot. Maybe more.”

At that moment—

BOOM.

Jellybean slammed down a dunk, barely leaving the ground. The rim shook. The ball snapped through the net. A few people nearby cheered.

Sonny did not blink. “…Are we going to play him?”

Chad shrugged. “Yeah. Why not?”

Sonny turned slowly. “Chad, I am exactly 6 feet, 1 inch. You are exactly 5 feet, 10.23 inches.”

Chad sighed. “Thanks for calling attention to that.”

Sonny nodded gravely. “We will be reduced to cosmic dust by a man named Jellybean.”

Chad picked up his water bottle and took another drink. “Probably.”

Sonny pulled out his Earth Log device and began typing.

Jellybean walked over, the basketball looking like a grapefruit in his hand. “Y’all runnin’ 2-on-2?”

Sonny looked up.

…then up more.

…then slightly stepped back to see Jellybean’s whole face.

He turned to Chad. Then back to Jellybean. “It will be a noble battle.”

Sunday Sendoff #43: Relentless Persistence

Brickwall's Sunday Sendoff

I’m reading Shoe Dog right now.

And one thing that hits early?

Relentless persistence.

Keep going.

When you want to quit. When things look bleak. When it feels like it’s not going to work.

Keep going.

I’ll be honest…

In the past, I’ve been a quitter.

I’ve walked away from things too early.

Now, some of those decisions were right.

You should try things. Test. Explore. Find your path.

But not all of them.

Some of them?

I quit because I was being weak. Because it got uncomfortable. Because it got hard.

Don’t be that guy.

Don’t be the man who folds the second things stop being easy.

Yes—cut what isn’t right for you.

But what is right for you? What matters?

What you know—deep down—is part of your mission?

That’s where most men fail.

They quit right before it starts to pay off.

What stood out to me about Phil Knight wasn’t just his success…

It was how many times things went wrong.

Doors slammed. Deals fell through. Money got tight. Pressure stacked.

He had every reason to quit.

And almost did—multiple times.

Imagine if he did.

No Nike. No impact. No legacy.

Just another guy who almost had something.

That’s the difference.

Not talent. Not luck.

Staying in the fight.

So if you’re in it right now—

If it’s hard…

If it’s slow…

If it feels uncertain…

Good.

That’s part of it.

Keep going.

Guiding Principle

When it gets hard…

That’s when it counts.

Keep going.

Something to Ponder

Did you quit something that mattered?

Or are you thinking about quitting right now?

Be honest.

Was it truly the wrong path…

or did it just get hard?

See You In the Arena

This week is just about over. Next week is just about here. Let’s keep building.

Brick by brick.

Sonny the Alien: The Middle School Man Friend

Sonny the Alien

Earth Log Entry #15: Animal Instinct

Sonny sat on the couch staring at his phone. Vanessa had just sent a message.

He read it again slowly. “…Chad.”

Chad looked over. “Yeah?”

Sonny didn’t look up from his phone. “Vanessa says a male human she attended middle school with has asked her to get lunch.”

Chad nodded. “Okay.”

Sonny looked over at Chad. “…okay?”

“Yeah. Old friend catching up.” Chad answered.

Sonny frowned. “Chad.”

Chad flipped the channel on the TV. “Yeah.”

Sonny sat forward and set his phone down on the coffee table. “Why would a human male invite another male’s romantic partner to consume food privately?”

Chad didn’t look away from the TV. “Because they’re old friends.”

Sonny put his hand on his chin. “I do not believe that is the complete explanation.”

Chad flipped the channel again. “What explanation do you think it is?”

Sonny leaned back, put his feet on the coffee table, and crossed his arms. “It is one-on-one time with another male.”

“Sure.” Chad said.

Sonny continued. “Private conversation increases emotional bonding.”

Chad shrugged. “Sometimes.”

Sonny pointed at his phone sitting on the coffee table. “Therefore, objectively, this situation has the potential for romantic escalation.”

Chad sat forward and looked over at Sonny. “Dude, not every interaction between men and women is a mating ritual. And it’s Firecracker…she’s going to have lots of male friends. It doesn’t mean she’s interested in them romantically.”

Sonny crossed his arms again. “Your words ring hollow in the face of territorial instinct.”

Chad continued. “I get it, dude. But she’s not going to put one over on you. I mean, she told you about it.”

Sonny sighed. “Yes. You are correct. She is certainly rooted in truth.”

Chad sat back. “There you go.”

Sonny grabbed his glass of water from the coffee table and took a slow sip. “I still feel my territory is being infringed upon.”

Chad shrugged. “Welcome to being human.”

Sonny smirked and took another sip. “Yeah. Human.”

Sonny took out his Earth Log device and began typing.