12 Effective Strategies to Move On from an Ex

November 21, 2023

Getting over someone who has been your other half for months or years is never simple. However, there are methods to make living alone more tolerable. Here are some ways to help you start if you’re trying to move on from an ex.

Table of Contents

Start a Woodworking Project

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“When my wife left me, I immediately started a woodworking project. I had to stop and cry every hour or so, but at least I had my mind occupied some of the time,” confesses a husband.

If you are wondering how woodworking helps with the healing process, one user explains the science, “It requires a level of focus that prevents the thought tornadoes from getting too big but allows a level of tranquility where feelings can flow through you.”

Lift Weights

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Going to the gym to lift weights can also help you release pent-up emotions and will keep you busy.

Write a Letter

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“If you have stuff to say (to your ex), write it down. Do not bottle those emotions,” advises a poster. However, do not, under any circumstance, send a handwritten letter or email.

Do Not Stalk Their Social Media

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Keeping track of what your ex is doing on social media will make moving on harder. So, don’t stalk their online life.

Find a New Hobby

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Also, since you have more time to spare, find a new hobby to keep your mind off your ex or “retake an old hobby you used to do before the relationship.”

Surround Yourself With Friends and Family

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Reaching out to friends and family when you need to vent or have fun can also help you through a breakup.

Date Yourself

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Dating yourself means treating yourself the same way you’d want your partner to treat you. If you enjoy watching sunsets, walking by the beach, or attending concerts, do so. “This helps you figure out exactly what you want for yourself and the qualities you want in a partner.”

Rationalize It

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Additionally, rationalize the breakup and admit that you are too broken now. One user writes, “Understand your loss and why you might think you lost more than you really did. If it ended because they didn’t love you or loved you less than you loved them, understand that you only lost someone who didn’t love you.”

Do Not Contact Them

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“Contacting an ex will only result in being ignored (more pain) or receiving a response that might continue hope for the future,” points out a user. If possible, delete their phone number and unfollow their social media accounts.

Focus on the Present

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The human brain is amazing. It will sometimes have you “starting an imaginary conversation or ruminating” with your ex. However, focus on the present, where you consciously deal with the breakup. One user says, “Practicing meditation can help.”

Let Yourself Be Sad

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“Heartbreak is the most human of emotions,” and it is okay to let yourself be sad. “Cry, lay down and do nothing, and listen to sad music,” reads a post.