I just broke up with my girlfriend and now l'm stuck in this silence. How do I cope with the loneliness?

Hey y’all, I’m 19 and I just went through my first breakup with someone I’ve been living with. We were together for 2 1/2 years, and things haven’t been right for some time—there were trust issues, a lot of emotional weight, and I knew deep down it needed to end… but even knowing that, it still hurts like hell.

She just packed some clothes and left today. I’m sitting in this apartment now with just my dog, and man, the silence is deafening. I’ve never lived truly alone before. When I was younger, no matter what was going on, I always had people around—family, noise, movement. Now it’s just… quiet. And that quiet is starting to eat at me.

I’ve been crying on and off, still have to go to work tomorrow, and I’m falling behind in classes. I haven’t been eating like I should either. I’m tired, overwhelmed, and honestly, scared of what the next few weeks are gonna feel like. My birthday’s coming up soon too, and the idea of spending it alone kinda stings more than I expected.

I did talk to my mom and dad and even spent some time with friends to clear my head, but now that I’m home, it’s all hitting again. This place feels cold without her here. Like, physically and emotionally. I’m doing my best to hold it together, but I could really use some advice—from anyone who’s been through something like this.

How do you deal with that sudden silence? That overwhelming feeling when you’re finally alone after a breakup?

Thanks to anyone who reads this.