While you might want to erase your ex for the moment, you don’t particularly want to erase all traces of him permanently, especially if it was a friendly breakup.
There is no denying it: breakups suck. According to a survey conducted by dating and relationship site YourTango, more than 80 percent of single people surveyed said that they think about their past partner too often. For more than 50 percent of those surveyed, thinking about an ex kept them from moving on to someone new. Don’t let memories of your past relationship or the digital specter of your ex keep you from enjoying life.
Don’t Even Think About Him
In the pre-Internet, social media and smartphone days, clearing out all reminders of your ex typically meant packing up all the stuff he left at your house and dumping it at your local thrift shop. Nowadays, it can also mean clearing all evidence of him from your electronic devices and social media accounts.
While you might want to erase your ex for the moment, you don’t particularly want to erase all traces of him permanently, especially if it was a friendly breakup. Luckily, there are tools you can use to temporarily hide your former paramour from your digital life without causing a scene or blocking him. If you use the Chrome browser and Facebook, you can download an extension called Eternal Sunshine, and use it to “hide” all evidence of your ex from your Facebook feed. The extension will conceal your ex’s posts from your news feed, not show him in your chat, and hide him from suggested photo albums. It’s more comprehensive than the hide features offered by Facebook itself.
Send Flowers to the People You Love
Flowers are a universal symbol for love, with people dropping an estimated $1.9 billion on them in 2013, according to CNN. Flowers aren’t just for lovers, though. Roll up your sleeves and show everyone that you’re no wilting flower: Order a few bouquets to send to friends and family both near and far. FTD.com has flower delivery, so you can surprise your sister who lives across the country with a bouquet, as well as your best friends at work. If you love getting flowers, go ahead and send yourself a bouquet, too.
Do Something You Love
It can be hard to feel motivated when you’ve had your heart broken, but doing something you enjoy can make you feel better and start the healing process. Not to mention, it can take your mind of things for a little while. Pick something that you haven’t done in a long time like play the piano, peruse a local museum, go for a long afternoon hike, or see a mid-day matinee.
Identity Magazine is all about empowering women to get all A’s in the game of life — Accept. Appreciate. Achieve.TM Every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. As a team, we hope to inspire and motivate ourselves and inspire you to get all A’s.
What have you accepted in your life that took time, physically or mentally?
I was divorced about 2 year after my youngest son was born. Just balancing work, family is challenging but my kids get me through it!
What do you appreciate about yourself and within your life?
I appreciate my positive attitude, when something knocks me down, my family helps me back up. We are constantly communicating and helping each other strive for the best.
What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life?
Being a single parent and a proud mother of 3. Being a mother in general!
What is your not-so-perfect way? What imperfections and quirks create your Identity?
I don’t always get enough time to write, but I write every evening before bed…even if its just in my diary.
How would you complete the phrase “I Love My…?”
I love my three children and the life we have created together.
