The Ex Outlet

1. I will stop mentioning my ex all the time.
“Jess and I used to go to that sushi place all the time.”
“Matt never used to say “I love you.”
If this sounds like you, try to stop… or at least severely cut back.

2. I will stop stalking my ex online.
Follow our Facebook break-up rules and then go to this fun site that helps you help yourself stop stalking your ex. If you use more than one browser to stalk your ex (and savvy stalkers do!), repeat the process for ALL of the web browsers. Also, do not check dating websites to see if they have set up a profile, assume they have and set up yours. You really do have better things to do than stalk your ex online in 2011.

3. I will stop stalking my ex in real-life.
Ok there Mr. Scary. Have you resorted to doing late night drive-bys or hanging out at her favorite bar hoping that she will come in? You’ve crossed into creepy territory and you need to slowly back out. If you don’t live on the street, you shouldn’t drive down it and if it’s not your favorite bar, you shouldn’t be in it.

4. I will stop calling my ex in moments of drunken stupor or moments of weakness.
Take him/her off of your speed dial. Have another close friend as your back-up plan for when you are feeling vulnerable. You can even put them in your phone under code name “EX” if that helps you. The bright side is that when you are feeling back to normal (and you will be) you won’t regret having made that call.

5. I will start calling my ex “My ex.”
It’s time to stop calling them your husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, or wife. It’s time to let go of the fact that they are no longer your significant other. By doing this you will open yourself up to your next husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, or wife.

6. I will stop blaming myself for the failure of the relationship.
There are many reasons relationships don’t work out. There is your version of why, your ex’s version of why, and everyone else’s version of why. Although there is probably plenty of blame to go around, a lot of the time we place a heavy load of unnecessary blame on ourselves. “If only I had done this better…” “If only I had listened…” If this sounds like you, try to stop playing the blame game. Work on forgiving yourself for making human errors.