how soon is too soon?

so you break up with someone. how soon is too soon to talk to somebody else?  and let's not cater to your ego.  to me, if the relationship is over, the relationship is over. (i wasn't always like this) if we get back together for the right reasons then that might be nice but should i be waiting?  should i be turning people down because i have hope that we'll change our minds?  my thing is that i take words so seriously that i believe them.  so if you tell me it's over then i'm going to believe you. and if you get with someone the day after, then my ego will be bruised but i can't tell your single ass anything.  you're living life as i should be.  


in the past, i feel like i've waited for a miracle, waited to work it out against my own intuition, waited for someone to change their mind and i lost a lot of time trying to make some more.  but now, though breakups hurt, should they handicap you?  i'm not going to lie, it's devastating, especially that first week.  damn.  it's like you're walking around in a daze checking your phone fifty times knowing damn well, none of those text messages are from him.  BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT …what if somebody else is texting you? and what if you like what they're saying?  are you going to be so deep in your own sadness that you can't appreciate someone bringing you a little bit of joy?


i'm not saying play the rebound.  that's dangerous territory from what i hear.  however, at some point we've got to pull ourselves together.  maybe we have to say, "yes i'm sad that him and i are no longer together but i'm going to be ok."  and i think that once you believe you'll be ok, you can start paying attention to someone new.  besides, you have no idea when your prince charming will show up. but that's just my thoughts.