You had the perfectoffice romanceuntil you didnt.

Now youre broken up.

But when youll see your ex at the office, that complicates things.

This post originally appeared onThe Muse.

Normal breakups are hard, butoffice breakupsare a whole new ballgame.

And, unfortunately, whether things ended in a mutual agreement or a heated argument doesnt always matter.

Working with your former significant other isreallyawkward.

But, that uncomfortable atmosphere doesnt mean you should probably run out and get an entirely new job.

As impossible as it might seem, you oughta treat your ex like any of your other co-workers.

Yes, it can be tough to bite your tongue.

But, its importantbecause a screaming match in the office just isnt going to make your situation any better.

After all, its basically the first page in the breakup handbook.

But, this was anofficebreakup.

So, the rules of the game are a little different.

Theres no need to add fuel to the office drama fire.

And, you dont want your breakup to become an exaggerated office legend.

But, that doesnt mean you should probably be constantly involved in each others daily lives.

No, you cant shirk those important team meetings or conferences just to keep your distance from your ex.

But, youcanchange a few small parts of your schedule that could help ease the tension of your situation.

Arrive at work a little earlier to avoid that uncomfortably silent walk together into the office.

Its human nature, really.

Remind yourself, you only need to get through the next nine hours.

And, thats enough to make you feel at least a little bit better.

Take Pause Before Getting Involved Again

You spend a lot of time at work.

So, its totally understandable (and maybe even expected) that romance will bloom there.

Was that office fling worth all of this extra care and caution?

Maybe it was, or maybe it wasnt.

All breakups are at least a little bit uncomfortable, distressing, and distracting.

But, an office breakup introduces a whole new awkward element to an already fragile situation.

No, you dont need to quit your job and move across the country.

Simply put these tips to work to get through it all with dignity.

5 Ways to Survive an Office Breakup With Your Dignity Intact| The Muse