Tips for Getting OVER Your Ex!

It's a new year, new you… right?! Yet I find a LOT of people are still hung up on relationships that ended eons ago. I’ll never be able to explain the phenomenon as to why we dote on the past… BUT I can help you get on the path moving forward, and getting over your ex!

Take them off that pedestal!

First things first: Stop acting like your ex was God’s gift to earth. They weren’t perfect. So make a list of their annoying traits. Let your buddies bad-mouth them. Do whatever you have to.

Get closure

If you’re going to end this thing, end it. Make sure you’re both on the same page. This is a breakup, not a “break.” The two of you are moving on, which means potentially seeing other people.

No Contact

Go cold turkey. Seriously. Maybe you said some crap about trying to stay friends, maybe you made some idiot vow to “always be there for each other,” but forget it. By staying in touch you’re asking for months (if not years) of on-again-off-again uncertainty. So, throw out the phone number, stop texting, unfriend them on Facebook.

Work out

Now that you’re single, we suggest hitting the gym or taking a jog. It’s a healthy way to work out all of that post-breakup frustration. Getting in shape is also a good way to boost your self-esteem. And don’t forget: The gym is a great place to meet others!

Avoid the ex’s friends and their favorite places

If you want to avoid the temptations that come with bumping into an ex, you might have to make some sacrifices. You might have to cut ties with some of your mutual friends. You might have to avoid some of your favorite. Trust us, it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Throw away anything that reminds you of them

That teddy, the sappy love letters, the adorable pictures of the two of you -- chuck ’em. Throw it all away. The sooner you get all that junk out of your house the sooner you’ll get over it. And before you ask, yes, it’s fine to keep items that don't evoke any emotional connections.

Don't try to get your stuff back

Forget about all that stuff you left at their place. Consider it gone. The $50 you’re going to have to spend to replace a few DVDs is a small price to pay to avoid ex who could be either desperately needy or irrationally angry.

Hang out with YOUR friends

Now you can reconnect with the buds you left behind. Not only will it be fun, but it will also be therapeutic because hanging out with your friends is one of the most rewarding tips for getting over your ex.

Exercise your newfound freedom

Relationships are about compromise. Being single should be about doing whatever the hell you want. Look, you’ve ditched the ball and chain. You’re free. So stay out until four in the morning, hop on a plane to Vegas with your brother, or just sit on your butt and watch TV all day.

Remember the bad times

You’ll just be going about your business, and then, suddenly, you’ll remember an inside joke or a great date. Then you’ll grin, and before long, you’re fantasizing about how great your naughty side used to be. Snap out of it. Remember the bad times. Focus on the fights and the problems. Recollect the bad habits and shady behavior. It’s like taking a cold shower.

Bonus: Make sure your next girlfriend/boyfriend is an upgrade

One last thing you want to be certain of is that your love life is moving in the right direction. If your rebound is a train wreck, you could end up moving backward and reconnecting with your ex, only to waste another year or two of your life on a relationship that’s doomed to fail. So be sure that your next one is an upgrade.