How To Get Over Your EX

Breakups and ending all contact, thought and obsession over the ex is probably one of the hardest things about dating…. 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 people to stop obsessing over a partner, so the first thing Toni Coleman, a psychotherapist and relationship coach, recommends is to unfriend someone, at least until you are over them, or make 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," says Coleman.

3 Visualize your future (without them).

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," says Brown. Make a vision board of what you want for your future if it helps.

4 Get productive

Get busy, it takes your mind off every emotion and you might even forget you’re going through a break up. Distract yourself so you’re literally too busy to even think about them.

5 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," says Brown.

6 Resist the urge to go back

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," says Dr. Gary Brown, a relationship expert. That means not planning a run-in at your local coffee shop or gym. Rearrange your schedule if you need to.

7 Go on 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, explains Amica Graber, a resident relationship expert for TruthFinder. "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 girlfriends — 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 on

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, says Graber. "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.

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," says Graber.