Ending a relationship with someone isn’t easy, whether you were the one who broke things off or your partner was the one who broke up with you. Moving on can be equally difficult for some, particularly if you’re still holding on to your past relationship or habits with an ex. There could be a number of things you’re doing which are keeping you from moving on. Keeping the lines of communication open, holding on to their belongings, or romanticizing your relationship can all prevent you from getting over the breakup and moving on with your life. Listed below are four habits which are keeping you from getting over an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend.
Habits Preventing You From Getting Over Your Ex
1. Stop Reminiscing About The Good Times – You’ve probably done it: flipped back through your photo stream, gazing over the fun moments together, or been swept up in a memory as you stumble upon an old concert ticket. While these positive moments can always hold a special place in your heart, it’s important to recognize when nostalgia becomes self-torture. This selective memory omits the instances that led to where you are today. While there is no need to be resentful, it’s important to be realistic by recognizing who your partner is now, as well as each facet of the relationship – not just the good times.
2. Quit Journaling Your Heartbreak – It can be therapeutic to pour all of your devastation’s down into a beautiful little journal. But once you’ve written out your feelings to the point that you can fully acknowledge them, it’s time to fixate on something more positive. Where is an easy place to start? A gratitude journal! Each day, simply write down three things you feel grateful for (the more specific, the better). After just one or two weeks of this, you’ll find that your entire attitude has shifted. Instead of dwelling on your painful feelings, you’ve now made a habit of focusing on so many amazing areas of your life!
3. Stop Spying On Their Social Media – There is nothing wrong with maintaining connections an amicable relationships when possible, but that doesn’t mean you should be intimately involved in their life right away. Social media has a unique way of keeping people constantly present in our minds – for better or worse. While you’re sorting through your emotions, feel free to hide your ex from your social media feeds. This will not only break the habit of keeping up with their daily activities, but also ensure you aren’t faced with a post of them and some new chick, inevitably sending you down a rabbit hole of Instagram sleuthing you don’t have time for!
4. It’s Time For A New Routine – How many times have you caught yourself saying, “I miss how we did ____ together” after a breakup? Sometimes your inability to move on from a partner simply stems from clinging to a comfortable routine that no longer exists. Instead of resisting this change, you simply need to accept it. Now is the perfect opportunity to freshen up your routine and let yourself be excited! Whether that’s planning a trip you’ve always wanted to take, signing up for a new class, or simply trying out a different coffee shop, use this chapter as an invitation to evolve and expand. You’ll soon find you’re not only thinking less about your ex, but you’re becoming more and more excited by the new you.
