Should I Block My Ex In Order To Move On?

Do you block your ex after a breakup? Yes.

Many people say there’s no need, depending on how things ended. If it was an amicable breakup or even a nasty one…well, guess what, if it was a mutual breakup, you probably wouldn’t be questioning whether or not to block your ex. Long story short, my last relationship ended badly—with cheating, physical violence, the works—so blocking was the smart thing to do.

Your ex might think, “If they’re over me, why block me? Were they so in love that seeing me live my life triggers jealousy?” They might assume you’re playing games, hiding something, bitter, or even immature. If the breakup was nasty—if you were dumped, cheated on, or worse—then you should be looking to cut all access to you completely. Give that rotten ex an obstacle course to maneuver if they ever want to speak to you again.

Leaving an ex unblocked just gives them easy access while you’re trying to heal. People say, “Forgiveness isn’t for the other person; it’s for you.” Well, so is blocking! Blocking is for you, not them. My Instagram account was the gateway for my ex to stalk, write, and try to manipulate or make me jealous. I blocked him, and I feel ten times better.

The main reason to block? It’s usually never a good idea to remain friends with an ex. You want to become indifferent toward them; while you may never stop thinking about them entirely, blocking helps you move on. So, block away, my friend.

Once you decide to block your ex, be sure about it. You don’t want to seem indecisive, or your ex might think you have zero control over your emotions, which isn’t ideal. Physically or virtually, as long as you stay connected to your ex, no one else will have a real chance to win your heart. Do you want that? Of course not. Remember, your ex doesn’t have to be a nuisance for you to block them, and it’s not immature to do so.

Blocking is a way to separate yourself and start living for you and only you. Waiting for a specific reason to block your ex—such as manipulation or constant contact—isn’t necessary. Be assertive, take your happiness into your own hands, and do what will ultimately make you happy.

by Lisa K. Stephenson