Most people have had moments after a breakup when revenge, sadness or sheer rage drive them to do things they'd never do when cooler heads prevail. We're talking about stunts like those in Fatal Attraction when Glenn Close's character seriously messed with Michael Douglas' character's life...and ultimately, his bunny. No one in their right mind would boil a pet bunny, but many women have made a scene with an ex, either in public or private, after a messy split. If you want to keep your friendly relationship with your ex intact - not to mention your reputation of not being crazy - there are ways to recover from a full-blown tantrum. First, a sincere apology goes a long way. If you blew up in public after seeing your ex and his new girlfriend out having a good time, then apologize to them both. Keep the apology related to the incident only - think "I'm sorry for yelling at you in the bar," instead of, "I'm sorry I'm such an idiot." Go easy on yourself - you're obviously mortified, and you don't want to feel that way again. After all, it probably wasn't as bad as you thought.
If you were crying hysterically, he was probably focused on how bad he felt about hurting you, not how gross your eyeliner looked running down your face. Resist the urge to relive the incident with him and remind him of all the gory details - some of which he may not even remember. The old adage says time heals all wounds, and there is truth to it. Down the road, your epic meltdown may not even be a blip on his timeline. Finally, learn from your mistake and what prompted you to go nuts. If mayhem ensues after you've been drinking, then perhaps it's time to institute a two-drink maximum to head off emotional outbursts before they happen. If you feel insecure about yourself or envious of others, then a therapist might be able to bolster your self-esteem. Whatever you do, don't beat yourself up about breakup battiness.