It’s probably one of the hardest things about dating… breakups and ending all contact, thought and obsession over the ex.At times, it feels like you may never stop thinking about them. Even worse, you start obsessing over the life they may be living without you, who they may be dating now and whether you’ll ever get back together. Here’s what to do if this sounds like you.
1. Get Off Social Media for a Bit
Social media has made it harder for women to stop obsessing over a partner, so the first thing I recommend is to unfriend someone, at least until you are over them, or make a commitment not to check their page.In addition, you will need to be careful of the pages/posts of mutual friends where you can see pictures and hear things about the ex and possibly the new person they are dating.
2. Get Rid of Ex Reminders
These can be small, inexpensive gifts and mementos, cards and letters, even clothing that once belonged to the ex should be purged. “These are all reminders that can trigger strong emotions and memories that lead to obsession.
3. Resist the Temptation to Stage Run-Ins Please
I know this may sound rather elementary, but this one is important. The very best way [to move on] is to eliminate all forms of contact, including meeting in person. That means not planning a run-in at your local coffee shop or gym. Rearrange your schedule if you need to. Unless it is special places like your church. For that, then you are stuck with seeing them forever so you deal with it. But even so, what will actually help you if that is the case it the next point.
4. Visualize Your Future (Without Them)
In other words, imagine how good your life will be when you have finished grieving the loss of your ex. The more details you can flesh out, the better your chances of bringing your new vision to life.Make a vision board of what you want for your future if it helps.
5. Don’t Contact Them – Seriously
Unless its a life or death matter, Initiate a no-contact rule until you have done your grieving and moved on to a place of acceptance that it is over.As long as you can rationalize there is even a glimmer of hope that your ex still has feelings, has concern for how you are doing or wants to hear about what is going on in your life, you will not be able to break the cycle of obsession.
6. Get Support from Friends
There is nothing wrong with asking your friends to encourage you to stop talking to or about your ex. Instead, ask them to encourage you to lick your wounds and take steps to move on with your life.
7. If Possible, Plan a Vacation
When you go through an intense breakup, it can feel like where you live is a standing reminder of the relationship you lost. Sometimes the best way to break out of a rut is to try something dramatically different. Take that vacation you’ve always dreamed of. Invite your best friends or better yet, go solo. There is nothing more liberating than traveling alone, and you’ll remember how great being single can feel.
8. Move or Redecorate
If you shared your living space with the ex, it’s going to be hard to move on when everything in your home reminds you of them. Consider moving to a new area of your town to get a fresh start if your lease is nearly up. At the very least, move around some furniture and repaint the walls.
9. Start Dating Again
You might not enjoy it at first. Perhaps you won’t be able to stop thinking about your ex on a few inevitable bad dates. But make dating again a habit. As the saying goes, you fake it ’til you make it
10. Get Professional Support
If it’s been months and you’re still obsessing to the point that you’re having a difficult time functioning socially, at home, at work and perhaps in school, it may be time to see a therapist. There is nothing wrong with seeking professional help. All that matters is that you stop obsessing over your ex.
11. Do Things for Yourself
While you might feel like your world has ended and you’ll never get over your ex, you will. A certain man i read from, Graber, recommends writing a bucket list of everything you want to do before you settle down and start doing them.
This man made a statement, he said, “most people get married multiple times, experience multiple relationships and fall in love over and over again. The world hasn’t ended because your relationship did.”
By Emmanuel Akoto Osei.
