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With the emergence of social media, communication has become relatively easy and comfortable. However, there are a few cons to it. For example, if you have been through a breakup, you may keep asking yourself- should I block my ex?
Most people consider unfollowing or blocking their exes from social media to avoid receiving constant notifications from them, which could lead to frequent mental breakdowns. But, on the contrary, some people like to stay peacefully in their vanities, not requiring them to block or unfollow the exes.
Though the choice is personal, you may have constant thoughts such as, is it necessary to block your ex? What messages are sent across to your ex due to this action? If you are perplexed and fogged with such questions, reading this post may help you figure out some solutions.
10 Reasons To Block Your Ex
Here are a few reasons that may compel you to block your ex. However, choose what fits your situation instead of following others blindly.
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1. You need to end the curiosity
Do you expose yourself to constant scrolling through their social media feed? Checking if they are dating someone, are they happy, or just their whereabouts will keep you in a vulnerable state. To stop the madness and to abstain yourself from checking on them, give a break to yourself, end the curiosity, and move ahead in life. Try to keep yourself busy with what you like and love to do. Develop your hobbies, learn something new, and focus on yourself.
Do remember2. You deserve a closure
When you are emotionally attached to your ex, you can’t get closure. For moving on in life, you require a complete shutdown. Even a single text or comment can harm the determined decision of separation. Find a solution to your problems and let go of the memories. It is advisable not to have an open end to your relationship when you don’t want your paths to intersect. Blocking can help repel unwanted advances and ward off any lingering feelings that may arise from interactions with your ex.
Toku McCree, executive coach and writer, opines that blocking an ex could be a good thing for both parties involved. Sharing his experience, she says, “She didn’t do anything wrong, she didn’t start dating someone else and I’m not mad at her. I blocked her because I love her, and I love myself as well (i).”
3. You want to save yourself from psychological abuse
Your ex knows your weaknesses. They know which heartstrings to pull and might post something on social platforms that could instigate you to write back. It could also involve texting you to check if you are ‘fine.’ Don’t fall prey to such tricks. These mind games will only pull you back. Keep reminding yourself why you broke up and block and ignore them completely to move on. Blocking your ex can be an effective way to bar their access to your life and obstruct any attempts at communication.
4. You want a calm and peaceful life
You were so attached to your ex that it is difficult for you to cope with a broken relationship. When you are in a healing phase, give time to yourself. It is essential to extract all the negative feelings you had in your relationship to experience inner peace. A good start is to oust your ex from every phase of life. Blocking can help you exclude them from your life and create a safe space where you can move forward without their presence.
5. Your partner cheated on you
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Your loved one cheated on you as they were least bothered about your feelings. How would you deal with infidelity? Block and banish that person from everywhere—the short and straight answer. If you love yourself, then moving away from them can make your life a happier place.
Point to consider6. You need time to heal the inner bruises
Being in an emotionally abusive relationship can expose you to unhappiness and a disturbed mind. You lose the will to enjoy the perks of a relationship. If you lost your self-respect in the process and were too dependent on your ex, you need to overcome and heal from within. Avoiding them and blocking them from social media can be the right start. It’s important to set boundaries and forbid any attempts from your ex to intrude on your emotional well-being by blocking them.
7. You do not want to take the guilt trips
You had a toxic relationship, and you were a clingy partner. You keep blaming yourself for the breakup, even if it was not your mistake. Do you want to continue being on a roller coaster ride? If no, then hold yourself back and think it through. You chose separation for a healthier life. Block them and avoid getting tangled in guilt trips.
8. You want to save yourself from coincidental scenarios
You might accidentally like your ex’s picture or post on social media. You might even end up drunk texting your ex and regret it later. To save yourself from the embarrassment, block your ex before it’s too late.
9. You want to avoid comparisons
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You may have had the best time when you were in a relationship with your ex. However, the relationship has now ended. Now you are with a new person, and you have new things to explore and embrace. But you tend to compare your current partner with your ex and keep checking their social media handles to get their update. It would only lead to dissatisfaction. Every person is unique and has different qualities. To move on, block your ex’s number and delete their contacts.
10. You want to do it before your ex does
If you had a bitter end to the relationship, block your ex before they do it. You want your ex and all your mutual friends to know that you were the first to end social communication. It might also save you from embarrassment.
The Emotional Impact Of Blocking An Ex
Blocking an ex can have a significant emotional impact on you, often leading to improved mental health and emotional healing. By cutting off direct contact, you can create a boundary that aids recovery. This separation helps in reducing reminders of the past relationship and minimizes the risk of re-triggering emotional pain.
It sets a clear path for moving forward and letting go. Ultimately, it can be a crucial step toward rebuilding self-esteem, fostering personal growth, and finding peace.
5 Reasons Why Not To Block Your Ex
You have to be persistent when you decide to be in contact with your ex. As time passes, you realize staying in touch with your ex is not that big a deal. Here are some reasons why you should not block your ex:
1. You need time to think
You had a breakup, but you are unsure if you made the right decision. Maybe, you want to go through all the reasons that lead to the end. Alternatively, you want a temporary break from your relationship. In such situations, blocking is not necessary. Being in touch on social media will be harmless, and you will get the time and space to think better.
2. Your relationship ended well
You and your ex mutually decided on a breakup due to different needs, incompatibility, or dissimilar goals. When you both are happy to continue the social connection, you may not block them.
3. You have an option available for a patch-up
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Do you notice signs indicating your ex still has feelings for you? Do you have feelings for your ex even after the breakup? Are there any chances of your ex coming back? If yes, then breaking all the ties will not help. Blocking your ex might indicate you don’t expect anything more from them. So, don’t block if you’re expecting a knock on the door.
4. You want to let them know you moved on
Sometimes you want to show you are happy in your life and have moved on. You might want to give your ex a hint that you have started dating someone else, and there is no chance of reconciliation. In such a scenario, you need not block your ex.
5. You are open to friendship
You don’t want to get back together, but you don’t want to leave them as you shared a good bond. It can be a good idea to continue as friends if your ex wants to be friends with you. It will not let you have any burden of a relationship, and you can still enjoy being a part of their life.
Steps To Take Before Blocking Your Ex
Before blocking your ex, consider the following steps to ensure it’s the right choice for your situation.
- Assess your emotions: Ensure it is not a knee-jerk reaction but a thoughtful decision based on your emotional needs.
- Consider consequences: Consider the potential impact on your life and your ex’s life.
- Communicate if possible: Let your ex know you need space before blocking them to avoid misunderstandings.
- Explore alternatives: Consider other ways to distance yourself, such as setting boundaries, before choosing to block.
- Prepare for reactions: Be ready for any emotional responses, including feelings of guilt or regret, and have a plan to manage them.
Blocking Vs. Ignoring: What’s The Difference?
Blocking and ignoring are two different strategies for managing post-breakup interactions, each with its implications and uses.
Blocking involves actively removing someone from your contacts list on social media or communication platforms, preventing them from reaching out to you. This action is definitive and can help create a clear boundary, facilitating emotional healing and reducing the likelihood of unwanted interactions. Blocking is often appropriate when you need a firm separation to move on or when interactions with your ex are harmful or disruptive to your well-being.
Ignoring, on the other hand, means choosing not to respond to messages or attempts at communication from your ex, without actively blocking them. This approach can be less confrontational and allows the other person to reach out if they choose to, but it also keeps the door open for potential contact. Ignoring might be suitable if you want to avoid direct conflict but still maintain some level of possibility for future communication or if you are unsure about completely severing ties.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does blocking your ex hurt them?
Yes, being blocked by your ex can be painful. Despite breaking up and getting over your ex, accepting that your ex has cut contact with you can be difficult.
2. How long should I keep my ex blocked?
There is no time limit for letting your ex be blocked from your personal and social connections. You can block your ex for as long as you want. You’re most likely to forget that they’re blocked anyway as time passes.
3. When is it appropriate to block an ex on social media?
Blocking an ex on social media is appropriate when it helps facilitate emotional healing, create necessary boundaries, and prevent negative or intrusive interactions that hinder personal growth and moving on from the past relationship.
4. How can I maintain boundaries with an ex after a breakup?
Clearly communicate your expectations and establish mutually agreed-upon boundaries regarding communication and contact. For example, avoid discussing intimate or personal topics that may rekindle emotions or create discomfort. Finally, limit or adjust social media connections to minimize exposure to each other’s lives if necessary.
5. What are some potential consequences of blocking an ex?
Blocking an ex can stop you from talking or getting closure, make it harder to fix things or move on, and make both of you feel more upset or angry with each other. But on the other hand, it can also provide a sense of peace and foster healing, thus helping you to move on faster.
6. Should I tell my ex if I plan to block them?
It is not necessary to inform your ex if you plan to block them, as it is a personal decision to protect your emotional well-being and establish boundaries. But you could do it nevertheless as a sign of courtesy or goodwill.
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“Should I block my ex on social media?” is a common question many people have after a breakup. Blocking or unfollowing could help avoid getting notifications from your ex and mental breakdowns related to them. Sometimes it is necessary to block exes to end your curiosity and avoid indirect psychological abuses. You may indulge and invest your time in new activities and take steps to become a better version of yourself than constantly checking out your ex. However, you may not block them if posts from your ex do not disturb you or you are no longer curious about them.
Infographic: Things To Expect From Your Ex After You Have Blocked Them
You may have your reasons for blocking your ex, but remember that it can be as difficult for them as it is for you. So you can expect either a frustrating or a positive response depending on how they feel after you’ve made your decision. So here are a few ways your ex may behave after you have blocked them. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Your relationship has ended and you’re unable to make up your mind on blocking your ex.
- This is no reason to worry and there are reasons for both blocking and not blocking them, as ultimately, it boils to down to doing what gives us inner peace.
Unsure of whether you should block your ex? Learn why it’s important to take this step to move on and start healing. Get the advice you need to move forward.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Boundaries, Love, And Why I Blocked My Ex on Facebook.
https://medium.com/hello-love/boundaries-love-and-why-i-blocked-my-ex-on-facebook-a0019da35937
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