Do’s and Don’t for Going It Suddenly Single On New Year’s Eve

DO have reasonable expectations for the evening. You probably won’t meet Mr. Right tonight, and be engaged six months from now. You will probably have a good time or a bad time — that’s right — one or the other. Your choice. Decide in advance what you’d like to do, and stick to your plans.

DO look great if you’re going out — or staying in. The best way to make sure you have a good time out is to wear something that makes you feel good, look festive and special and to know you’ve done your best in the hair, makeup, grooming and clothing departments. And if you’re staying in, fight those “I’m a loser” blues by putting on a new pair of something lounge-y and casual, and having good friends in for the night, or make it a DVD rental and fabulous pizza night at home. If you don’t want to go out — don’t.

DO make a short night of it if you do hit a party. If you expect to stay out until 3 a.m. raising the roof on every building you enter, you’ve set yourself a tall order to fulfill. If you plan to stay out for two hours, you’ll have a much better time — even if you have such a good time you plan to stay out for three or four. Set your sights realistically.

DON’T get crazy drunk. Tipsy is one thing. Newly single and drunk is a sloppy combination at a party. Stay cool and figure out what it is you want from the night before you go out. After two glasses of champagne, switch to club soda and lime. Drunk dialing from home alone on New Year’s Eve is bad manners.

DON’T tell every cute guy you meet at a party about your break up. Nothing dampens romance quicker than a sad sack with baggage. Stay in the moment and try to keep it positive.

DON’T call your ex. If you feel like you might, call a friend or family member instead. You will hate yourself in the morning if you do call him. There are 364 other nights in the year to call — don’t choose this one.