Breaking up in the age of social media is not as easy as it used to be. There are so many other considerations, chief among them, to block or not to block your ex on social media. Here are some reasons to do it and a few reasons not to do it. Helpful, I know but it truly depends on your specific situation.
Reasons you should block your ex
Clean break
A clean break with zero contact with your ex is one of the best choices you can make, especially after a traumatic break-up. If you were dumped, it gives you some level of control and if you did the dumping it allows you to firmly close that door. Choosing to block your ex gives you closure and a much-needed clean break. It can help you move on by making it clear to you and your brain that that is behind you now and you have to chart a way forward. It can also give you some peace.
Save yourself heartache and pain
If you don’t block your ex, you risk seeing their updates, which could bring up negative feelings. You could get caught up in analysing and decoding every single one of their posts, looking for some likely non-existent message targeted at you. You’ll just drive yourself crazy. Even worse you could be hit with evidence of how successfully they’re moving on, complete with dating other people. No matter how you rationalise it to yourself, that’s likely to hurt. You’re still so vulnerable from the heartbreak, so there’s no need to expose yourself to more potential heartache. If staying connected to them negatively impacts your mental health in any way, block with no apologies.
They are toxic and unhealthy
Block your ex as fast as humanly possible if they are toxic and unhealthy for you. It is counterproductive to people around you who are manipulative, selfish, arrogant, deceptive, or otherwise toxic. If it was a bad breakup and your ex is the vindictive type, they could use that avenue to hurt you so just block them. Cheaters should also just get an immediate block.
They are trying to get back together
Block your ex if they are trying to get back together, even after you have made it clear that you have no interest in doing that.
You need some time
If you just need a break from seeing all their messages, you’re justified in wanting to block your ex. You get to curate what you see on social media, as much as the almighty algorithms allow – so you shouldn’t feel bad about that. If the break-up was not acrimonious but you feel like you need time away from them and feel guilty about just blocking them, reach out and tell them that there’s no malice or ill-will in the gesture, you just need some space. Then block. Depending on how you feel, you can always unblock them later.
Reasons not to block your ex
Mind games
If you’re thinking of blocking your ex as part of some elaborate mind game, you should know that that’s not a good reason. Don’t block them if you’re playing some long game in which you want them back and want them to work for it or something like that. Weaponising the breakup to punish them so you can watch them crawl back and beg is a bad idea. Our conception of dating and relationships is really problematic. We’ve all heard statements like, ‘whoever cares the least has the most power,’ so you have people trying to prove how much they don’t care by staying in each other’s circles. People stay connected just to gloat at and one-up each other. The person who blocks is somehow the loser in this arrangement, which is ridiculous.
Check out
7 Tips To Have An Amicable Breakup
6 Lessons You Should Learn From A Breakup
Single lady In Nairobi: When Your Ex Is Getting Married 6 Months After Your Breakup
Relationships: 6 Ways to get over a friendship heartbreak
Signs It’s Time For A Relationship Break And The Do’s And Don’ts
Relationships: Pros And Cons Of Taking A Relationship Break
13 Interesting Responses To What Happened When People Bumped Into Their Exes At Social Events
