We’ve all been there – holding onto an ex long after the relationship has ended. Maybe you still have feelings for him, or just can’t let go of the good memories. But there comes a point when it’s time to move on for good. Here are some signs that indicate it’s time to let go of your ex once and for all:

• You think about them constantly. If you find your ex still dominating your thoughts weeks or months after the breakup, it’s a red flag. This preoccupation is preventing you from moving forward.
• You cyber stalk them. Checking his social media daily to see what he’s up to is not healthy. Seeing him active on social media can stir up old feelings and make it harder to move on. Unfollowing or blocking him can help you resist the urge to cyber stalk.
• You fantasize about getting back together. Daydreaming about reuniting is normal, but if you catch yourself fantasizing about it frequently, it means you haven’t accepted the relationship is over. Entertaining fantasies will just prolong the healing process.
• You can’t stop talking about him. Constantly bringing up your ex in conversation with friends and family shows you’re dwelling on the past. Make a conscious effort to avoid mentioning him so you can stop thinking about him so much.
• You react strongly to changes in their life. If you have an intense emotional reaction to your ex dating someone new or any other changes in his life, it’s a clear sign you haven’t moved on. Work on managing those feelings and refocusing your emotional energy elsewhere.
• You feel incapable of trusting new people. If your past heartbreak is causing you to put up walls or self-sabotage new relationships, you haven’t healed. Take time to work through your hurt feelings before pursuing something new.
• You secretly hope he will come back. Hoping your ex will change his mind and get back together with you will prevent you from moving forward. Accept the relationship has run its course – clinging to false hope will only lead to more pain.
• You dwell on what went wrong. Obsessing over the issues and conflicts that caused the breakup keeps you emotionally stuck in the relationship. Redirect your thoughts to the present moment whenever you catch yourself ruminating over the past.
• You want to get revenge. Feeling bitter and wanting to get even with your ex by trying to make him jealous or spreading rumors means you harbor resentment. Let go of the desire to punish him – it will only backfire and cause more bitterness.
• Seeing him doesn’t spark emotion. This may seem counterintuitive, but indifference can also indicate you haven’t moved on. If you feel nothing when you cross paths with your ex, part of you may still be in denial about the depth of your feelings.
• You’re waiting for closure. Looking to your ex for definitive closure often leads to more questions and keeps you holding on. Closure comes from within. Accept that you may not get the explanations you want from your ex.
• You can’t stop looking for hidden meaning. Analyzing song lyrics, social media posts, or other actions in an attempt to interpret secret messages or signs your ex wants you back leads nowhere positive. Assume there is no hidden meaning and refocus on your own healing.
• You feel unable to be happy without him. Thinking you can’t feel true joy without your ex suggests you have developed an unhealthy attachment. With time, you can regain your sense of self and ability to feel content without your ex.
• You idealize the relationship or your ex. A breakup can lead you to put the relationship on a pedestal, remembering only the wonderful parts. This fantasy prevents moving forward. Try to look at the relationship realistically – including the problems, flaws, and incompatibilities.
• You only remember the good times. Reflecting solely on the happy memories while blocking out the bad times is another unhealthy sign – it prevents an honest assessment of the relationship’s viability. A balanced perspective is needed to move on.
• You take the blame for everything. Accepting the full blame for why the relationship failed may feel self-protective but it often indicates lingering attachment. In most cases, responsibility lies with both people. Try to take a more objective look at what went wrong.
• You’re fearful nothing will compare. Thinking you’ll never find love or passion like you had with your ex is a symptom of withdrawal. In time, you’ll see there are always more opportunities for meaningful relationships in your future.
• You feel you lost a part of yourself. Losing your identity because of the breakup signifies your sense of self became too enmeshed in the relationship. Reconnect with who you truly are outside of the relationship so you can stand whole on your own.
• You have trouble imagining a future without him. Constructing positive future plans is difficult when your imagined futures all include your ex. Visualize new visions for your future independently to help build your new future.
• You still bring them up to friends and family. When you notice you’re still referring to your ex when conversing with friends and family, it indicates you subconsciously expect him to remain an integral part of your life. Make an effort to leave him out of your conversations.
• You feel unable to open up to new people. If the hurt from your previous relationship is causing you to hold back emotionally with new connections, take it as a sign you still have healing to do before pursuing a new relationship. Give yourself time.
• You compare new dates to your ex. Measuring new romantic prospects against your ex sets up unfair expectations. Avoid comparisons – give new people a genuine chance by focusing on getting to know them as they are.
• Memories bring acute pain or longing. If memories of your ex make you react with intense grief, longing, anger or bitterness, it means those emotional wounds have not fully healed. Give yourself more time to process the loss before attempting to move on.
• Any reminder is intensely painful. When simple reminders like a song, a place, an old photo or other shared cues cause strong surges of emotion, it indicates you’re still actively grieving the relationship. Be patient with yourself – processing the loss takes time.
• You desperately want them back. Pining away wishing you could undo the breakup backslides your progress. Accept the reality that you can’t get back to what was – but you can look ahead to creating something new with someone else when ready.
• You’re acting out of character. Impulsive behavior like intoxication, drastic appearance changes, Etc, often signals unfinished emotional business related to your ex. Slow down, be gentle with yourself, and make deliberate choices that nurture your well-being.
• You have trouble trusting yourself. Lost confidence in your ability to choose a good partner after the breakup can leave you unwilling to put yourself out there again. Have faith in yourself – when the time is right, you will be ready to attract the healthy relationships you deserve.

Letting go and moving forward after a breakup takes time and self-care. Avoiding these unhealthy attachment signs and behaviors will help you heal. When you notice yourself dwelling on the past or idealizing your ex, consciously redirect your thoughts to the present. Focus on engaging in activities and relationships that enrich your life now, in the moment. In time, you will be ready to fully let go and embrace new beginnings.

How do I know if I need to detox from my ex?

If you find yourself constantly thinking about your past relationship and feeling stuck, it may be a sign that you need to get unstuck and start detoxing from your ex. This is especially true if you still have feelings for your ex boyfriend or find yourself texting your ex constantly.

How long does it take to detox from an ex?

There is no set timeline for getting over your ex as it varies from person to person. On average, it can take around 7 months to fully recover from a breakup and move on. However, it will depend on various factors such as the length of the relationship and the reasons that led to the breakup.

What are the signs that I’m ready to get back out there?

Signs that you’re ready to start dating again include feeling ready to get back into the dating scene, being open to meeting new people, and no longer feeling the need to constantly look back at your past relationship. If you feel ready to move on and find someone new, it may be a good indicator that you’ve stopped detoxing your ex.

Can I still be friends with my ex?

While it’s possible to be friends with an ex, it’s important to recognize that it’s not always the best decision for everyone. Consider whether being friends with your ex will mend or reopen old wounds. If staying friends will hinder your progress in getting over a breakup, it may be best to create some distance and focus on your own healing.

How can I stop myself from texting my ex?

Stopping yourself from texting your ex can be challenging, but it’s necessary for your own healing. Instead of reaching out to your ex, try to distract yourself with activities that bring you joy or spend time with friends who can provide emotional support. Deleting your ex’s number from your phone can also help eliminate the temptation to reach out.

What are the stages of grief when detoxing from an ex?

Here are some of the common stages of grief people may experience when getting over an ex:

1. Denial – Refusing to accept the reality that the relationship is over. Pretending everything is fine.
2. Bargaining – Trying to negotiate with the situation by making promises to change in hopes of fixing the relationship.
3. Anger – Feeling frustrated, resentful, and bitter about the breakup. Looking to blame your ex or the situation.
4. Sadness – Overwhelming feelings of loss, sorrow, despair, and heartache. Constant crying.
5. Acceptance – Finally acknowledging the relationship has ended and realizing you cannot change it.
6. Re-orientation – Adjusting to your new life without your ex. Figuring out your identity.
7. Rebuilding – Establishing a new normal routine. Pursuing new hobbies, interests, friendships.
8. Hope – Envisioning positive goals and a new future. Believing you will find love again.

Healing is an up and down process, not linear stages. People oscillate between emotions and may re-experience stages as they process the loss over time. Patience, self-care and support help recovery.