If I had to stay close to home, I'd go to an unfamiliar neighborhood with an adventurous friend and hang out with strangers in a bar.

Maybe not for everyone, but my best remedy was: Foreign Country + Self. Best if you can't speak the language.

Mine was China. Every little step required so much energy and attention that I didn't have any left to dwell on the ex. The rewards were proportional to the effort. I got my confidence back, sure. But more importantly, I was forced to step outside of myself and just be acted upon. I left for China feeling like such a failure. I wanted to chuck myself into an experience, like a rag doll in a washing machine, and just see what would happen.

It turned out to be the best thing I ever did.

-Ziplock Mary is unpleasant, but Crinkly Plastic Shopping Bag Mary is way worse. She takes just as long to pack and sounds like an maraca recital. Don't use the crinkly bags.

-There are two things that, once together, should not be separated: Room Full Of Sleeping People + Turned Off Lights. PLEASE bring a small flashlight or headlamp for dark hours.

-If someone at the hostel is sick or hurt, try to help them. I might have died once if not for help. I have a friend who might have died if not for help. I have another friend who might have died if not for help. I don't care if it's self-inflicted alcohol poisoning or should-have-gotten-the-vaccine malaria. You help someone who hasn't moved for awhile. It may cut into the fun, but the Cosmos will remember.

-Take action on overflowing garbage bins, especially in the bathroom. Nobody wants to deal with your used maxi pad tottering at the summit. Alert the staff or empty it yourself if worst comes to worse.

-When someone violates these rules, talk to them nicely. Don't yell or be passive aggressive. They may be new to hosteling, and a lot of things that seem like common-sense to us now actually took some time to learn at first. Take it from an American -- you'll regret starting an unnecessary war.

Funny article. I haven't been irritated by all those things, but the noisy packers who take forever before dawn -- arrrr!