They say that time heals all wounds but all it’s done so far is give me more time to think about how much I miss you.~Elizabeth Wilder

Yes, the first few days after a break up, you will be able to relate to Elizabeth Wilder feelings! However, eventually, you will forget your ex but.. YOU NEED TO MAKE AN EFFORT ON YOUR PART to make it happen.

Forget your ex

1. Accept that the relationship is over

You will never be able to move on after a break up if you still cling to the possibility of getting back with your ex. Don’t dwell too much on the past and learn to accept that it’s over. You forget your ex if you are in the proper frame of mind. Focus on what you can do to become a better person without your ex by your side.

2. Refrain from reliving moments

If there was a special place you went together, you had a special song or anything else that will trigger happier moments, AVOID it. This is one of the most important steps in trying to erase those memories of your ex.

3. Get rid of the mementos

Photos, gifts and other mementos are reminders of the time you spent as a couple. Keeping photos of your ex all around the house will just cause you to pine away for them. It will prolong your efforts to forget your ex and may cause you to regret the breakup. Do yourself a favor and put them away.

4. Change Your Surroundings

I understand that there is a limit to which you can change your surroundings. But there are simple things like rearranging your room, getting new bed sheets, putting up a new painting or poster you can do. This will help you feel like you are moving forward and moving on.

Also, a temporary change of scenery was also effective. I took a couple of days leave from work, and went to my sister’s for a short stay.

5. Delete your ex’s number from your phone.

You won’t be able to forget your ex, as long as you keep in touch with your ex. Try to avoid contact with your ex, at least the initial few weeks following the break up. So, delete the phone numbers, and other online traces of your ex and make a clean break.
If you are finding it difficult to stay of the phone read my previous post Resist The Urge To Call Your Ex

6. Keep yourself occupied

If your mind is idle, it could lead you to unwanted images or feelings. So it is important to keep yourself busy when you are trying to forget your ex. Try physical activities, some sport, go to the gym, go swimming, go jogging, just walk or do something that you enjoy, but couldn’t do when your ex was around! Here are more ideas to on ways to keep you busy after a break up.

Any ideas you can contribute to forget your ex?

May be your partner is not able to express the exact reasons for the break up. Maybe he does not know why the relationship can’t continue Or perhaps he simply doesn’t want to talk about it.. Whatever it is you know you won’t get the real answers from your ex.

This can make you lose all motivation to do anything but dwell on what went wrong. The plaguing questions of how and why it all went downhill, keeps you up at night. You are waiting for answers that never seem to come, and in the process waste wasting precious time trying to get that closure from an ex who just wasn’t willing to give it.

Thousands of “if’s,” “possibly’s” and “maybes”

Why Did I Get Dumped

Maybe she would change her mind if I explain more?

Did he hear something that was not true?

For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, It might have been. ~John Greenleaf Whittier

STOP… don’t over-analyze things
Yes, I know it’s hard, but constantly replaying conversations and trying to re-evaluate the “evidence” on why you were dumped will make you feel even worse.

Many break ups don’t have a specific cause so don’t obsess about what went wrong . This isn’t to say you shouldn’t reflect on what you could have done differently in the relationship (but it’s not helpful to dwell on the whys and wherefores). Instead, focus on what went right . Even if you won’t have those good old times with that particular person, eventually your heart will heal and you’ll find new great moment with someone new.

Your partner has made the decision to end the relationship. He or she didn’t decide against you, it’s just that they simply decided to move on without you. They will never tell you the real reason why they left. Perhaps, His or her reason may have nothing to do with you!

YOU as a person, with intelligence, must turn the page. Getting stuck in that feeling of not letting go just makes therapists rich!
Life offers humps and bumps along the road. We trip and fall, over and over again. The trick is to be good at picking yourself up and dusting off the old dirt.

When the person you are in love with suddenly leaves you, surviving a break up can seem almost impossible at times. This is especially true, on the first day after a break up. You feel your whole identity is shattered, and that you will never recover from the pain. You stare hopelessly, wishing there was something that would numb this pain of getting dumped. Ending a relationship is among the most stressful things a person can undergo.

First day after a break up: Spend time working, with friends, family or alone?

Most advice columns will tell you that you should not spend the first day after a break up alone. If you have work, go into work; if you do not have work, then make plans with a friend or family member.

Here’s what I say….
There are some who really like to keep to themselves. I am one such person. I prefer to be inside the walls of my home, rather than putting on a happy face and spending time with others. The main reason is that sometimes, friends and family try “too much” to cheer me up. I know they all mean well though….

So bottom line is you must choose to spend the day in a way that is most comfortable to you.

While I agree that you shouldn’t be alone the whole day, I feel it’s ok to have some time for yourself.

But keep in mind that if you spend this first day alone, you might be tempted to call your ex, or you may spend the day wallowing in grief. Isolating yourself and looking to escape reality through alcohol or other means is the wrong way to survive.

First day after a break up: Resisting the urge to call him/her

The downside of staying alone on the first day after a break up is that may be tempted to call your ex. This in my book is a BIG NO. Don’t call him/her and expect them to comfort you. Don’t call at all! Chances are you’ll be even more upset at how indifferent s/he seems to the situation.

Remind yourself that s/he dumped you. S/he didn’t want to do anything with you. And No, they probably wouldn’t have changed their mind in 24 hours.

First day after a break up: Silence the inner critic

You know that questioning, nagging little voice inside you.. the one that is never at a loss to point out your flaws, highlight your doubts and cross-examine you on your decisions? That’s the inner critic.

For me this is the most difficult part. I remind myself that the most important tool that I have at my disposal is my mindset. I have found that the more I analyze things the more upset I get.

First day after a break up: Re-direct the toxic & hateful energy

Spending some time in the gym, or go for a run, swim ….. do something physically exerting. It will keep you fit and focused. It will take your mind off of anything (almost!) and in the end, you will look great.

First day after a break up: Do something nice for yourself

Get a haircut, buy something you’ve been eying, indulge in a nice meal or all three. Be careful not to go to places that remind you of your ex. For example, if you go out to a nice meal, don’t go to the site of your first date!

First day after a break up: What you should never forget

Although things may look bleak and miserable in the immediate aftermath of the break up, the hurt and pain do dissipate gradually, eventually. It will…

Can you recall the first day you got dumped? How did you survive the first day after the break up? What helped you the most? Leave a comment below and share with us.