Alone day 2, post-breakup

Chelsesa Piers

That two-timing cad (or Jezebel) just left you. You can’t go on! But you will—thanks in no small part to the following seven-step plan for postbreakup survival. We’re here for you, you sad, lonely bastard.

Step one: Cry. In fact, be a bawling mess. And make it a Netflix night—the online service (netflix.com) just dropped its rates to as low as $4.99 a month, fearing competition from Blockbuster.

Step two: Clear your head. Seek solace in Central Park’s peaceful Conservatory Garden (Fifth Ave at 105th St, centralparknyc.org). Named for the sizable glass structure that once stood in its place, this six-acre oasis of verdant lawn, blooming flora and sculptural works such as German artist Walter Schott’s Three Dancing Maidens offers ample turf for strolling or simply sitting and wondering where it all went wrong.

Step three: Release your anger. Once your energy is restored, head to the outdoor driving range at Chelsea Piers Golf Club (Pier 59, 23rd St at the Hudson River), where you can relieve your pent-up rage while perfecting your swing in one of its 52 private stalls. While you’re there, go for a relaxing jog on the ¼-mile indoor track. Then, let a little sunshine back into your life by lounging on the Sports Center’s two sundecks overlooking the Hudson. (See chelseapiers.com for information on purchasing a multisport passport.)

Step four: Pig out. You might be tempted to console yourself by indulging in something sweet, but skip the pint of Häagen-Dazs and create your own dessert. Check out the French Culinary Institute’s course offerings (888-324-CHEF, frenchculinary.com) and consider enrolling in an amateur pastry class, where you’ll learn to make cakes, tarts, petits fours and plenty of other comforting confections. And there’s no shame in enrolling solo: Classes are only 22–24 people in size (the capacity is 24 per kitchen), and students work at individual stations.

Step five: Get lost in the crowd. If you’re ready to be among people—but prefer to remain safely anonymous—try something touristy. Wander around South Street Seaport’s marketplace at Pier 17 (Fulton St at Water St, southstreetseaport.com), where no one will know your name. Then, circumnavigate Manhattan on a scenic sightseeing excursion, like the Circle Line’s three-hour Full Island Cruise (212-563-3200, circleline42.com).

Step six: Find humor in the situation: Taking in an evening of live comedy should keep your mind off your heartbreak. Just stay away from stand-up joints, where the cabaret-style seating will make you more conspicuous—and susceptible to teasing. We recommend Stripped Stories (strippedstories.com), a monthly show at Mo Pitkin’s House of Satisfaction (34 Ave A between 2nd and 3rd Sts, 212-777-5660), whose candid tales of sexual misadventure told by comedians, writers, musicians and nonperformers will inspire you to turn your grief into shtick (the next show is September 12).

Step seven: Drink. It’s time to reenter the bar scene. Avoid fratty pickup spots—you’re not ready for romance anyway—and stick with a pressure-free dive, like East Village standby Grassroots Tavern (20 St. Marks Pl between Second and Third Aves, 212-475-9443). Hang out in the back room and join in a game of darts, or sit solo at the bar and drown your sorrows in a pitcher of cheap suds. “You can find your own space and watch the crowd,” says longtime bartender Doug Bunton, 52. “People do feel comfortable here. You don’t need your eight best friends to support you and take over the joint.”