Everyone knows how hard breakups are and it seems like just when you are getting over your ex, they try to make their way back into our lives.
This is where things get hard. If you get back in touch with your ex, you face the risk of having old feelings come back and you further delay healing your heartache.
Here are four ways to handle your ex getting back in touch with you.
1. Remember why things ended.
I think that the first and most important thing to do when an ex contacts you is to remember why things ended before you respond.
At first, you will probably think of all the good times you and your ex had, but you should not forget why you ended things in the first place. If it were meant to be, you and your ex would have never broken up and would still be together.
I know this is easier said than done, but try waiting a little bit to respond because it will give you more time to think things through.
If you feel comfortable enough, try speaking with your close friends and family who knew a lot about your relationship. They will offer you great advice and a second opinion.
2. Think about your future.
When you are trying to think of if you should respond to an ex or not, think about your future and where you want to be in a few years.
Do you see your ex in your future? Will they benefit or hurt your chances of being who you truly want to be? These are all important questions to ask yourself when an ex contacts you.
3. Respond how you feel is appropriate.
Unfortunately, I cannot tell you the best way to respond to an ex.
It all depends on how things ended. Did things end on good terms, or did they end badly? If it ended badly, you may want to consider not responding at all.
No one will be able to judge the situation better than yourself. After you think things through, you can either choose to talk about your past with your ex if you think that’s right, or you can continue to try to give yourself time to heal.
If you feel like you still have things to talk about with them, by all means respond. It could be helpful for further closure. However, if you are completely over your ex, there is nothing wrong with reminding them of that.
4. Be honest about your feelings and expectations.
If you’ve thought things through and decide to respond to your ex, it is important to be honest with yourself and your feelings when you answer.
Do not sugar coat anything because reconnecting with an ex is risky in the first place. Let them know if you are happy or if you are considering giving things another chance.
Let them hear you out and always be truthful with your expectations on how things will go from here on out.
Image: iStock
Reflect & Refresh 