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Are you tired of feeling drained and depleted after interacting with an ex?
Do the thought of seeing them cause a spiraling swirl of negative emotions that throw you into a former version of yourself?
If so, it’s time to put your big girl pants on and exorcise this ghostly figure from your life for good.
We’ll look at 15 foolproof ways to say goodbye to this unwelcome visitor once and for all so that we can finally have peace of mind.
It’s time to take back control and make yourself feel like the badass you are; let’s get ready to raise some holy hell!
#1. Get Closure
The first step is to get closure.
Don’t be afraid to reach out and have a meaningful conversation with your ex about why things didn’t work out and how you both can move forward.
This allows for a sense of understanding on both sides so that everyone can heal.
#2. Don’t Overthink It
It’s natural to replay the past in your head and think of all the what-if scenarios.
However, constantly going over a relationship that didn’t work out will only bring back old feelings and emotions.
Take time for yourself and practice positive distraction techniques instead.
#3. Start a Gratitude Journal
Gratitude journaling can shift your focus from what you’ve lost to what you still have in life.
Write down three things you’re grateful for each day.
This practice can rewire your brain to notice and appreciate the positive aspects of your life, fostering a more optimistic outlook.
As you begin to embrace gratitude, the pain of the breakup may gradually lessen, making it easier to move forward.
#4. Exercise
Regular physical activity, such as exercise, benefits your physical health and improves your emotional well-being during and after a breakup.
When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, neurotransmitters acting as natural mood lifters.
These endorphins help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, common emotions experienced during a breakup.
Exercise also provides a healthy distraction, helping you take your mind off the pain and sadness associated with the end of the relationship.
Moreover, it boosts self-esteem and confidence, empowering you to move forward and embrace a new chapter in your life.
#5. Date Yourself
Dating yourself is a concept that involves treating yourself with the same care and love that you would extend to a romantic partner.
It means investing time and effort into self-discovery and self-improvement.
By embracing this practice, you are encouraging self-awareness and self-appreciation.
Taking yourself out on solo outings, pursuing your interests, and prioritizing self-care can boost your self-esteem and remind you of your worth as an individual.
Dating yourself allows you to find contentment and fulfillment within yourself rather than seeking validation solely from external sources like a romantic relationship.
This practice promotes personal growth and lays the foundation for a healthy and fulfilling future relationship if and when you’re ready.
#6. Process It
Allow yourself to experience the full range of emotions from a breakup.
Grief, sadness, anger, and confusion are all normal reactions.
Process your emotions by acknowledging them and permitting yourself to feel without judgment.
Suppressing emotions may lead to long-term issues.
Seek healthy outlets like journaling, meditation, or talking to someone you trust to help you cope with the emotional rollercoaster.
#7. Stop All Communication
Cutting off communication with your ex is essential for your healing process.
Continued contact can hinder moving forward and prolong emotional distress.
Establish clear boundaries for yourself, and communicate your decision to your ex.
This will create space to focus on your well-being and prevent unnecessary emotional entanglement.
#8. See a Therapist
Seeking professional help from a therapist can provide valuable guidance and support during this challenging time.
A therapist can help you explore your feelings, understand relationship patterns, and develop coping strategies.
Therapy provides a safe space to process your emotions and gain insights into personal growth, leading to a healthier future.
#9. Forgive and Accept It
Forgiveness is not about condoning any hurtful actions but rather about releasing the hold of negative emotions on your well-being.
Accept that the relationship has ended, and you cannot change the past.
Embrace forgiveness as a gift to yourself, enabling you to let go of resentment and find closure.
This compassion towards yourself will help you heal and move forward with grace.
#10. Find a New Hobby
After a breakup, you may have extra time and emotional space.
Utilizing this opportunity to find a new hobby can be a transformative and positive experience.
Engaging in activities that genuinely interest and excite you can bring a sense of fulfillment and joy, helping to rebuild your sense of self and identity outside of the relationship.
Whether exploring arts and crafts, sports, cooking, or any other interest, a new hobby can provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
Additionally, participating in group hobbies can lead to new friendships and connections, expanding your social circle and enriching your life beyond the past relationship.
#11. Avoid a New Relationship
It can be tempting to jump into another relationship after a break up in order to take the pain away.
But these rebound relationships rarely work.
And many times you are worse off in the end.
This is because not only did you not process the initial breakup, but now you have two to deal with.
If that isn’t bad enough, you might be confused thinking your first relationship was meant to be since this latest one failed.
As much as it hurts to stay single, this is exactly what you need right now.
#12. Spend Time With Friends and Family
Spending time with friends and family is crucial to healing after a breakup.
Your support network can provide emotional solace, understanding, and distraction from the pain.
By surrounding yourself with loved ones, you create an environment where you can freely express your feelings and thoughts.
Their presence can offer reassurance and a sense of belonging, reminding you that you are not alone during this difficult time.
Additionally, engaging in activities with friends and family can help you build positive new memories, strengthen your social bonds, and foster community.
#13. Write a Letter About all Their Faults
When going through a breakup, it’s common to have lingering feelings and emotions about your ex-partner.
Writing a letter about all their faults can be a cathartic exercise to gain closure and clarity.
In this letter, you can express all the negative aspects of the relationship and why it didn’t work out.
This process helps you externalize your thoughts and feelings, making it easier to confront the reality of the relationship.
By acknowledging their faults, you realize that the breakup was not solely your fault and that moving on is okay.
It lets you let go of unrealistic idealizations and helps you focus on your growth and healing.
Just ensure you don’t actually send the letter. It is for you to heal, not to burn bridges.
#14. Talk to ChatGPT
Engaging in conversation with an AI like ChatGPT can be surprisingly beneficial.
Talking about your feelings and thoughts can help you gain perspective and clarity.
ChatGPT can act as a non-judgmental sounding board, allowing you to articulate your emotions and experiences, which aids in processing your feelings related to the breakup.
#15. Avoid Their Social Media
Social media can constantly remind you of your past relationship and impede your healing process.
Unfollow or unfriend your ex on all social media platforms to create emotional distance.
This step will prevent you from dwelling on your life and allow you to focus on your growth.
Affirmations to Get Your Ex Back
Many times after a failed relationship, we want to get our ex back.
If you are certain you want them back and know they want you, here are some affirmations to use to get them back.
HOW TO USE AFFIRMATIONS TO GET YOUR EX BACK
Manifest Someone Back Into Your Life
Do you want to bring someone special back into your life?
If so, you can try to manifest them back in.
By following these steps, you can bring people back into your life.
HOW TO MANIFEST SOMEONE BACK INTO YOUR LIFE
How To Stop Caring About Someone
We’ve all been there, where a personal or romantic relationship that ends. We still care about the other person, but need to learn how to let go in order to move on.
How can we make this transition easier? Here are simple steps to stop caring about someone so you can move on.
HOW TO STOP CARING ABOUT SOMEONE
How To Stop Overthinking A Relationship
Are you one who tends to overthink relationships?
This can be a major issue and cause the relationship to end. Learn how to stop overthinking and enjoy the person you are with.
HOW TO STOP OVERTHINKING A RELATIONSHIP
Dealing With Rejection
It’s never fun to be rejected, whether in a relationship, a job, or elsewhere.
But the sooner you accept it and deal with, the happier you will be.
This thread inspired this article.
Jon Dulin is the passionate leader of Unfinished Success, a personal development website that inspires people to take control of their own lives and reach their full potential. His commitment to helping others achieve greatness shines through in everything he does. He’s an unstoppable force with lots of wisdom, creativity, and enthusiasm – all focused on helping others build a better future. Jon enjoys writing articles about productivity, goal setting, self-development, and mindset. He also uses quotes and affirmations to help motivate and inspire himself. You can learn more about him on his About page.