The length of your relationship also doesnt matter.
So missing your ex isnt just normal; its to be expected.
However, missing your ex isnt necessarily a sign that you should get back together.
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Its simply part of thegrieving processwhen you lose a connection with someone who was a constant in your life.
If your breakup is fresh, theyre probably still on your mind, and for good reason.
Did you get a reminder on your phone of their birthday or your old anniversary?
Did you run into someone who looked a lot like them?
In these moments, the feeling of missing them may be particularly acute.
There was at one time a relationship that you chose to commit to, and you felt love within.
Who knows what other complicating variables?
You Miss the Routines/Habits You Shared
Another reason you might be missing your ex is habit.
Relationships are made up ofhabits that become routine.
When theyre gone, its natural to miss the comfort, closeness, and predictability they provided.
Daniel Glazer, a clinical psychologist.
Its like facing this empty void where someone so central to your daily life used to be.
You Need Closure
Sometimes, a breakup doesnt provide the closure you need.
You are likely to hyperfocus on the good memories and gloss over the bad.
Looking at your past relationship with rose-tinted glasses will make you long for your ex.
Remember that no relationship or person is perfect, and the breakup happened for a reason.
Limit Contact
One of the most effective ways to move on is tolimit contact with your ex.
Stay Busy and Focus on Self-care
Keeping yourself occupied can help take your mind off your ex.
Find a new hobby, rediscover old ones, andspend time with friends and family.
Sometimes in relationships, the other person becomes a distraction who shifts you away from your goals.
Try Not to Stew
Getting caught in a loop ofnegative thoughtsand what-ifs is easy.
When you find yourself stewing, try redirecting your thoughts to something more constructive.
Journaling can be especially effective in breaking this cycle.
Journaling helps you process your emotionsand monitor personal growth over time, says Wilson.
Writing down how you feel lets you express yourself, providing insights into what has happened to you.
Above all, you shouldnt expect toget over your exovernight.
Take each day as it comes, and be kind to yourself as you work toward detachment.
Dr. Glazer further recommends journaling as a great outlet for expressing all your emotions without judgment.
These healthy outlets can provide a steadying foundation when triggered by memories or nostalgia.
The first step to dealing with these triggers is to identify them.
Identifying what sets off these feelings prevents them from catching you off-guard.
Put away physical reminders of your ex, such as gifts, photos, or clothes.
The goal is to create new happy memories in new places.
Despite your best efforts, you may be unable to avoid triggers altogether.
So when one does occur, try not to let it throw you off.
you could do this by practicing mindfulness.
A cycle of negative thoughts often follows a trigger.
Accepting Its Over and Moving On
Realizing that your relationship is truly over can take some time.
It likely wont happen on the day you both call it quits.
However, acceptance is what kickstarts the healing process.
Here’s how to move forward with acceptance:
Acceptance is a crucial step in moving forward.
Its important to accept that your relationship is over and that it was for the best.
“Trust in the process of life and have faith that better things are yet to come.
What If I Still Love Them?
The million-dollar question: does loving your ex mean youre still in love with them?
The love you have for a partner doesnt dissipate as soon as the relationship comes to an end.
So yes, its possible tostill be in lovewith your ex after a breakup.
However, this is perfectly normal and not peculiar to your situation.
Emotions arent something that can be turned on and off when you want.
If they were, life would be a lot simpler.
“I dont think love ever fully disappears, but it does change and evolve,” says Beaupre.
Missing how they made you feel, thecomfort and familiarity of the relationshipcan easily be conflated with love.
It helps to make a list and keep it at hand.
Dont focus on the negatives or positives when writing the list.
take a stab at be as factual as possible, plainly stating why your relationship ended.
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