G....knowing what you want I guess you just need to be prepared for hurt and it will happen if you put your heart into it. I would also advise to take it slow and really work the veting process. No matter how much you can self validate I don’t think you can prevent the pain of a break up/loss.
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.