The pain of letting someone you love go is never easy to deal with. Here are the best ways to get through that tough time with grace and poise.
Whenever a breakup isn’t in your favor, you’re going to feel pain and heartache—a lot of it. Sure, some chocolate, a sappy movie, and spending endless days on the couch bundled up in ten blankets may be one way to get through it, but do you really want to spend several weeks like that?
I’m not one for wasting too much time trying to get over someone who didn’t want me anymore. The truth is: yes, it’s hard and it sucks. However, there are a lot of different things you can do to make the process a whole lot easier.
Letting go can be easier than you think!
There once was a time that I spent weeks—even months—trying to let go of this guy who broke my heart. I tried everything in the book, from the classic ice cream and tears, to hitting the town to find me a “replacement.” Unfortunately, neither of those were the best idea.
So I decided to try some different things here and there… and what do you know? Some actually worked wonders. I spent numerous days chatting up other people in my situation and they also had some insightful ways to make getting over him easier. [Read: How to survive the first 168 hours after a breakup]
These aren’t quick fixes and you won’t get over a lost love overnight. Let me make that clear. However, these are some surefire ways that will definitely make getting over your ex way easier. You’ll be free of their metaphorical grasp on your heart in no time!
1. Do something for yourself
Get a new haircut, buy a new pair of jeans that make your butt look like a million bucks, and splurge on a massage for yourself. Just do anything special for yourself that you normally wouldn’t do because of your ex.
Sometimes people spend so much time holding onto their ex because they feel they’ll be lonely otherwise. Well, loneliness is perfectly fine! It means you have time to go do something awesome for yourself. So do it. [Read: Suddenly single? 11 things you HAVE to avoid doing]
2. Go out with your friends!
Yeah, your FRIENDS. Remember those people? The ones who you barely ever saw because of said ex? Go out with them and use them as a distraction. It’ll be good for you to go out with someone other than your ex for once.
It will not only help distract you from missing them, but it’ll help you let go of them by realizing that you don’t need them in your life to have a good time and be happy.
3. Ignore them *if they’re still trying to talk to you*
For some reason, people think it’s okay to still talk to the person that they just destroyed by ripping their heart into pieces *not literally, don’t worry*. But in order for you to let your ex go, you have to ignore this.
I know it’s hard to ignore the person who you want to talk to most, but if you really want to let go of them, it has to be done! Keeping in constant communication with them will only make things harder. If they can’t sever the line, then you have to. [Read: 15 reasons why you ex still calls you and stays in touch]
4. Get rid of their stuff
I mean ALL of their stuff. Don’t keep anything of theirs because it’ll only take you in a downward spiral you really don’t want to be going down. Trust me. Accidentally pulling their old t-shirt out of your dresser will bring back too many emotions.
So, give it all back to them and don’t take them up on their offer to keep the stuff. If they refuse to come pick it up, trash it. You’ll be way better off and will be able to let go of them much easier this way.
There’s nothing that will keep you holding on to your ex quite like having access to view their social media accounts; you’ll be able to see who their new person of interest is and that’ll ruin all the progress you’ve made in getting over them.
Unfollow or unfriend them from EVERYTHING. That’s the only surefire way you’ll avoid seeing them pop up on your feed and ripping open those stitches you worked so hard to heal. [Read: 12 reasons why the no contact rule works every single time]
6. Don’t think about them!
Ah, this one is probably the hardest of them all to do because, really, it’s involuntary. I could be watching an awesome video of cats trying to be cuddled and think of my ex. Honestly, where the heck does it come from?
But the one thing you do have control over is thinking about them. When they pop up in your vulnerable mind, quickly think of something else. Watch a video, listen to some music, read a book, or do anything that’ll keep your mind off them.
7. Delete their number
This is a no brainer. Just get rid of it. The only good it’s doing sitting in your phone is giving you hope that you’ll need it again one day. Well, if you really want to let go, you won’t need it anymore. DELETE. Gone. Over.
8. Pick up a new hobby
Nothing distracts you from an ex quite like the thrill of a new hobby that you’ve always wanted to try. There has to be something you’re interested in, and what better time to dive in than when you desperately need to let go of an ex? Pick up something new to let go of something old.
9. Avoid places you know they’ll be
When you’re trying to let go of an ex, it’s never the best idea to frequent places that you know they also frequent. Running into them will only tear on those fragile little heartstrings of yours.
So skip that trip to their favorite coffee shop and try out a new one! Who knows—you may find new places that you like way better than the old ones. And what’s even better? They won’t be there! [Read: 14 things you need to keep in mind when you accidentally bump into your ex]
10. Be honest with yourself
It’s hard for people to admit that they’re better off without the person they care so much for. But in order to let go of them, you have to realize this. Be honest. You know things are going to be better when the person who doesn’t reciprocate your feelings is out of your life.
11. Let it all out
Sometimes, all a person needs to let go is to let it all out. Scream, yell, cry, and fuss your way out of their clutches. You’ll be surprised by how much better you feel after you’ve spent an evening venting to a friend.
12. Write it all down
Outright verbal attack on a person who isn’t even around might not be your cup of tea. Understandable. But you can get the same effect of letting it all out if you write it down.
Writing down your emotions and how you feel about that person will help you let go of them. So, get a journal and jot down what’s holding you to them. Your own mind may get you out of the debacle and help you let go all on its own! [Read: 10 signs your past relationship is holding you back from a better future]
13. Meet some new people
I’m not saying you should rush out and meet someone new in order to replace your ex. That never results in anything pretty. But you should meet new people and play the field a little.
One thing that helps people let go is knowing that their ex isn’t the only person out there for them and that they can be just as happy with someone else.
14. Enjoy your singleness!
Why are you so down on yourself? You’re single! Let go of the person that is barely holding you in Couplesville so you can truly enjoy Singlesville and all it has to offer. When you enjoy being single, you’ll notice that you’ve let go of them more and more each day. [Read: 15 reasons why being single can be more fun than in a relationship]
15. Spend more time on yourself
Now with this, I don’t meant splurging on buying yourself cool stuff. I mean that you should spend time focusing on your dreams, goals, and aspirations. When you better yourself as a person, you will find that it’s easier to let go of those who don’t belong in your life anymore.
[Read: The 10 stages of a breakup and how to get through each of them]
There are so many reasons to just let go of your ex. While it’s not always the simplest thing to do and you might run into roadblocks from time to time, these 15 ways will ease the journey.
