How To Deal With A Serious Case of the Exes Following You Everywhere Online
You have the power to detach yourself from anyone you don’t want in your life
You thought you were done with an ex, but they keep showing up in the weirdest places. First it was Facebook Messenger, then it was Instagram — and now they’re popping up on dating apps? What gives? The truth is that you can’t always control who appears on your social media feed, but there are some steps you can take to minimize their presence (or just free yourself from them altogether). Here are five strategies for dealing with a serious case of the exes following you everywhere online:
1. Mute them.
One of the easiest ways to remove yourself from an online conversation is to mute that person. You'll still be able to see their profile, but you won't see any of their comments or posts in your feed. This could keep you from being reminded of them every time they comment on something you're consuming online, which can help you avoid seeing every post with their name in it as well as feeling like you're constantly being taunted by them for just existing everywhere on the internet.
It's important to note that muting someone means there's no way for them to know that they've been muted unless they go out of their way and check; so if this doesn't work out as desired, or if it gets too much again later down the line, at least then there will be a tangible record (i.e., in your account settings) showing when/how long/under what circumstances muting was used before it was removed once again!
2. Delete them from your phone.
Deleting them from your phone is the first step. It may not seem like it, but it’s one of the most important things you can do. Deleting them from your phone is like cutting off an arm or a leg: it doesn’t make any difference at all to you, but if they aren’t attached to anything anymore then there’s no way for them to get back at you.
3. Unfollow them on social media.
Now that you've blocked them, it's time to unfollow them on all social media platforms. If a picture of your ex appears in your feed, you can choose not to like or comment on it. If the comments are too hurtful or distressing, report them and don't engage with anyone who is attacking your ex-partner online.
If you have trouble keeping up with who's following you online, there are apps for that! Appear Here lets users create separate lists based on location and interest so they can easily find new people to follow nearby or share things in common with (and avoid seeing what their exes post).
4. Block them if you have to (but don’t feel bad about it).
If you have to, block them.
Don’t feel bad about it. You are not going to be the first person in the history of online dating to block someone because they won’t stop texting or calling you after you break up. Just as with your ex-boyfriend or girlfriend, if they are stalking and harassing you on social media, then that needs to be dealt with immediately. If they aren’t willing to let go and move on peacefully, then there is a problem here—and it isn't necessarily your fault. It's time for some tough love!
5. Ask for help if you need it.
Sometimes, even the strongest of us need a helping hand. If you’re having trouble with this situation and don’t have anyone to talk to about it, reach out! There are many online support groups for those dealing with exes who won’t let go. And if you feel suicidal from your ex following you everywhere online, call the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Remember, you have the power to detach yourself from anyone you don’t want in your life — even when they’re an ex-partner who keeps lingering around the edges of the screen.
You can't control what they do or how they feel, but you can control how you react. You can also control how you think and feel by distracting yourself with positive things or spending time with friends who support you.
If your ex continues to pester you, it's possible that their feelings haven't changed at all — even if yours have. They might be jealous of your new love interest (which is totally normal) or want to keep tabs on what's going on in your life so that they don't lose touch completely (also common). If it feels like an ongoing effort for them to repair the relationship, then maybe this person isn't for you!
Conclusion
We all have exes we wish would just go away, but when that person won’t leave you alone online it can be a serious problem. It can also be an enormous source of stress, especially if you feel like your ex is always lurking around somewhere close by — even if they aren’t physically there anymore. But the good news is that there are ways to deal with this situation and get back control over your life again so that you don’t have to spend every moment worrying about what your ex might do next.
About the Creator
Courtanae Heslop
Courtanae Heslop is a multi-genre writer and business owner.
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