I also think getting your heart crushed by a girl you love gives a weird sense of euphoria after it has all ended and gone quiet. And I do think you can come out of it better off usually.

I think The Game is a very good read, but I wouldn't say it helped me much in gaining confidence. I wish I read blueprint when I was like 14!

And also the things RLAJay mentioned in his post such as kino etc are very useful things to be mindful of