“I miss you all the time,” you find yourself thinking about your ex. That longing for your former partner can feel like missing a limb. When you had a close relationship with someone, it can feel impossible to try and go on without them. The good news is we’ve all been there! And there are some proven ways of dealing with craving your ex when getting back together isn’t an option. Check them out below!
- Find a new passion. One of the best ways to cope with a current passion that you can’t pursue is to replace it with another passion. You can’t stop yourself from craving your ex, but you can choose to put your time into something more productive. And if you find something you’re truly passionate about, you’ll be excited about it. Passions can be anywhere, so remember to be open-minded. It might be a new hobby, a social justice cause, a form of art, travel, or anything else under the sun. Find something that lights you up.
- Remind yourself why you broke up. When missing your ex and wishing they were here, it’s a massive help to remember why you broke up. The idea is to stop romanticizing them. Don’t buy into the lie your heart is telling you, that they were perfect and you’re missing out by not being with them. Of course, if the break up wasn’t your idea, this can be tricky. Try going through a list of things you didn’t like about them. You might not have chosen to break up with them, but it’s guaranteed that they’re not perfect.
- Work out exactly what you miss. If you can’t help missing your ex, it’s a good idea to sit down and work out exactly what it is you miss. Was it having someone to share your good news with? The way they made you laugh? Having a date to take along to events? Knowing what you’re missing can help you to see it out in other places.
- Open up to your friends. It’s hard missing an ex you can’t have back. Don’t try to survive it alone! Open up to your friends and loved ones about how you’re feeling. There’s no shame in missing your ex. And talking about those feelings can help you to work through them. Your friends might even offer you some insight or advice that can help you deal with things a little better.
- Stay off social media. Social media is good for a lot of things, but it can also be the worst. As hard as it is, try to resist the urge to check up on your ex on social media. The no-contact rule, which means cutting off all contact with your ex (including stalking them online) is one of the best ways to get over your feelings for them. Seeing them on your feed is likely to make you miss them more.
- Better yet, delete and block them. This way you can’t possibly give in to the temptation to reach out to them and you don’t have much to go on to keep your feelings of longing going. Really you should have done this as soon as you broke up, but it can be hard to cut the cord. Do yourself a favor and do it now.
- Don’t judge yourself for your feelings. Okay, so missing your ex isn’t ideal. Try not to hold it against yourself! Even if it’s taking you a little longer to get over, trust that you will feel okay again eventually. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling sad or missing them. What you need during this time is extra kindness, not to be mean to yourself.
- Start a new exercise routine. According to Vixen Daily, one of the best ways to get over your ex and start feeling good again is to start a new exercise routine. Exercise causes the release of endorphins in your body, which naturally makes you feel good. As you start to feel better about yourself, you’re less likely to dwell on missing your ex. Plus, focusing on exercise is a good distraction!
- Listen to the right music. Music can work wonders when it comes to breakups. Listening to sad songs will likely make you cry and feel worse, but this is a good way to actually deal with any feelings you’re suppressing. Then you’ll be able to move on easier. Upbeat inspiring songs can also help you to feel good about yourself and have a more positive outlook on life.
- Resist the urge to contact them. As impossible as it feels, don’t contact your ex if you’re trying to get over them. While you might be able to have a friendship down the track, that will be torturous for you if you still miss them. Marriage.com points out that contacting your ex is counter-productive when trying to get over them. Out of sight, out of mind!
- Date. This might sound like a crazy suggestion if you’re not in the right headspace. But dating can help you when missing your ex because it can show you that there are other fish in the sea. Getting validation from someone new, even if it’s just a match on a dating app, can also help you to feel better about yourself while you deal with those hard emotions. Tread with caution, though, as bad dates can leave you missing your ex even more.
- Talk to a therapist. If you can’t seem to stop missing your ex, no matter what you do, consider talking to a trained therapist. They will have the tools you need to help you deal with your feelings. Also, they might provide insight into why it’s so difficult for you to move on. And if all else fails, it never hurts to have an impartial person to listen as you pour your heart out.
Check out this video from Brad Browning below for extra tips on what to do when you’re missing your ex like crazy.
