5. Take all the time you need
There’s no window that you should ignore an ex — if you need to ignore them forever to take care of yourself, do it! Don’t rush yourself or try to convince yourself of anything that’s not true. Going at your own pace is key, and rushing your recovery can actually cause you to give into your weakness and succumb to your desire to contact your ex.
6. Work on setting boundaries
Since silence puts you in control, it also allows you to be the one who decides what happens with your ex, moving forward. Setting boundaries is key in the breakup process because it ensures you won’t make a lapse in judgment and sleep with them or take them back too soon, preventing your own process of healing. Boundaries can come in many forms, whether they’re mental, physical or emotional. If you’ve gotten past the major pain and are figuring out whether you want to be friends with an ex, boundaries can help you in that process rather than falling back into the lovers category.
7. If getting back together, change is necessary
By definition, doing the same thing and expecting something different is insanity. If you decide to take them back, be sure to solve potential problems and don’t just go back to the relationship as though everything is the same. Remember, breakups are painful, and going through one for a second time can feel soul-shattering. And sometimes, unsolvable problems can come in the form of different values, infidelity problems, or toxic behavior. In this case, it’s best to move on to a healthier relationship. However, if you can solve this problem and your partner is willing to put in the work to change, a healthy relationship might still be possible.
