We’ve all been there, suffering the crushing defeat after enduring hours watching the game, after rooting for our team and feeling sorely disappointed once seeing the outcome and the distinct play where they lost it all. The aftermath of defeat can be the most deprecating of them all, but in order to cope with the loss, there are four steps that you can follow.

Step 1: Acceptance

Similar to the stages of loss, acceptance comes into play as the first step. This step comes into action as you must accept the outcome of the game in order to move on. Avoid coming up with hypotheses and theories of how the game was rigged.

Step 2: Remain Loyal

Remember to always stay true to yourself and your team. Just because the players we idolize fall sometimes, we should still support them at their downfalls and help uplift them. It is always important to remember the ones we look up to are humans too and have their days where they are at a loss. Once mastering this step, you can head into the second to last step.

Step 3: Ignore the Haters

Although you may have an undeniable love in your heart for your team and the players, know that there will be others who taunt and mock your team. Once that happens, don’t give them the reactions they hope for. Keep on loving your team and advocating for them on both their best and worst plays.

Step 4: Optimism for the future

For the last and final stage, just remember not to be fixated on this one particular game. There are so many other reasons for loving your team that shouldn’t be wiped away based on one game. Stay optimistic and hopeful for the future of your sports team because who knows what 2019 holds.