The Protocol

Bring a handkerchief if you can. Fabric dries, and on balance, is easier on the eyes than paper.

Maintain your dignity while it's happening. If you have to emote let it fall inward, be self-contained.

You are a rock on the shore, and it washes over you. Let it pass. Condense inward, harden yourself into a diamond inside if you need to. 

Uncurl when it's over. 

Agree not to see each other for however long. This does not need to be an indefinite period.

Call, text, or message a friend as soon as you're alone. If you're driving home, let it be before you start. Let them know where you are, and where you're going.

Go home. (If home is worse, find a friend to stay with.)

Let the first thing you do after arriving home is drink water. You can drink or eat anything you like after, but the first thing past your lips on arriving home must be water.

Does anything smell like them? Take it off, put it in the laundry. Does your bed remind you of them? Change your sheets. Now. I don't care if it's 2 am or 9 am or 3 in the afternoon. Do it now.

Find a blanket. Curl up and take a nap.

Check your living spaces for things that remind you of them. Put those things away, however you see fit.

Eat or drink something sweet. Take about 400mg of ibuprofen or aspirin.

Remove them from the requisite social networks, calendars, and long range planning. Put them on a 30 day mute where possible. 

Take another nap.

Drink at least another liter of water. Eat some comfort food.

Masturbate. Shower. Sleep.

Find a project to work on for the next week or so, and distract yourself as best you can. Make plans when you can to be with people (even if virtually). 

On the day after, chop wood, carry water.