7 Ways To Keep Your Dignity On Social Media After A Breakup

Tip #3: Make Decisions On Their Friends And Family

If you’ve been with your ex a while, you might have some of their friends and family on your own friends list. Now depending on your relationship with your ex, and with the friends in question, it might be time for you to make a decision about whether they need to go as well. If you’re worried about backlash from them, absolutely erase them from the friends list. However, if you’ve gotten close to them, or your breakup was something they understand, there’s nothing wrong with remaining friends. But remember that your ex’s family is likely to side with him over you, regardless of who is actually in the right.

Tip #4: Be Ruthless With Your Photos

The high emotions that result from breakups often cause people to ‘backslide’ into relationships they know don’t work simply because they’re reminded of one small thing they enjoyed about being in a relationship. Not surprisingly, visual reminders like photographs are often a major catalyst for this. That’s why it’s always good to go through your Facebook images post-breakup to see what you really need in your life. Obviously, these are your memories, so they’re still important to you. But untagging yourself from one or two images, or deleting them, because you know they’re going to make you incredibly lonely later is not a crime.

Tip #5: Don’t Stalk Your ‘Replacement’

We know, it’s tempting when you find out that your ex is with someone new to ‘check them out’ on various social networks, but that is a really, really bad idea. Like really bad. Not only does it make you a bit of a stalker, but it’s also a generally terrible idea for your own personal wellbeing. Spending your time obsessing over your ex’s new love is only going to stop you from living your own life, and encourage useless comparisons that will only make you feel bad. Just because they’re already dating and you’re not doesn’t mean anything, so get on with your own life and stop worrying about theirs.

Tip #6: Avoid Dramatic Status Updates

At some point in your life on social networks, you’ve seen a post-breakup status update. They range from the downright violently angry (“How dare you break my heart, I was nothing but good to you and if I ever see you again you’ll regret it”) to the mysteriously cryptic (“Feeling empty without a piece of my heart, can’t believe some people are so thoughtless”). They’re all equally bad and best avoided. If you want to get some of your feelings out about your breakup, write yourself a paper letter, something that’s private and just for you. Don’t go sharing that online, because it only encourages ex-bashing that serves no purpose and won’t make you feel better.

Tip #7: Digital Detox

When things get hard, sometimes, it’s best to just sign out altogether, of social networks that is. Give yourself a few weeks, even a month or more, off Facebook or Instagram after a breakup, to just get back to your roots. Instead of feeling the pull of social networking, pick up a new hobby, get in shape, or learn something new.

These are all positive ways you can move forward with your life instead of digitally following people around. Believe us, it’s sometimes a relief to just take a break from the whole thing.

How do you deal with your breakups online?