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I can't get over my ex after 5 years. What should I do?

251 Answers
Last Updated: 06/14/2022 at 12:35pm
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
February 14th, 2016 9:18am
Go see your ex. Try cursing, or else blurting out that you don't want it to end. Just do something about it.
Anonymous
March 3rd, 2016 5:52am
people always leave, no matter how hard you try to keep them, just remind yourself that you've just got one life and you deserve better, go for parties, dates, eventually you'll meet somebody who is a thousand times better.
Gladdy
June 15th, 2016 8:01am
I have an ex after 7 years, there are little moments which I have got over my ex, we shared good times and bad times. But knowing that my ex had already moved on, all I'm left with is myself and creating a new life for myself. I have never gotten over my ex, I just moved on with life, carry on with the flow of things and where life should lead me. Maybe there is someone else more suitable for me, maybe the break up should have happened earlier, who knows? But I can't return to where I use to be, that I know.
Anonymous
February 12th, 2016 10:50pm
Talk to a therapist or go to support groups. A lot of therapists specialize in these types of things so try finding one of them
Here4u4evr
February 19th, 2016 11:37pm
Right a letter to her don't send it if you don't want to just let all your emotions flow into it and let any built up emotion in side of you become free.
speckle
December 8th, 2016 12:36am
Here are a few steps to getting over an ex boyfriend/girlfriend: 1. Cut off contact 2. Let go of the fantasy 3. Make peace with the past 4, Know that it is okay to still love them And finally, 5. Love yourself more
Here2Hear247
December 10th, 2016 8:24am
One good step might be to write your ex a letter. You won't be mailing it, so feel free to say anything and everything! Put it all on paper and store it in a special place. Some day you'll be ready to throw it away. In the mean time, you may feel better that your feelings won't be forgotten or taken away as long as they are in that special letter.
Anonymous
November 10th, 2019 9:18pm
I know how you're feeling. I'm having trouble getting over my ex of 4 years. 1st, you have to ask yourself if you still love him. If yes, then that's ok. 2nd, you have to ask yourself if he gave up on you. If he did, then he probably isn't worth it. You don't need someone who gave up on you a long time ago. You need to see your worth. Now, you can start moving on. It's going to be hard and a long process, but keep remembering your worth and know you deserve much better. Hopefully soon someone will treat you the way you deserve and you will learn from this experience!
CarefreeApricot
January 31st, 2018 7:51pm
Ask yourself what are the things that are prohibiting you from fully moving on. After the breakup, what stuck around? What are the things you have not cut ties with yet? Are you hanging on to things related to your ex that you shouldn't be? What are methods you haven't tried or tried enough to get over your ex? Or, it could be that you still need time to do its job. Sometimes it takes people like you many years before you fully move on. But it will happen eventually, that's for sure.
BraveKnight7
May 28th, 2017 2:26am
Love again. One way to know that you have gotten over your ex is to love someone and let them enter your life. one reason why you say that you haven't gotten over your ex could be because you are still clinging on to your memories that make you feel good and bad at the same time. it's time to let go, my friend, slowly let go of these memories that you had with your ex and make room for someone new.
Anonymous
March 4th, 2017 8:22pm
This is a great question. First, embrace the fact that you and your ex obviously had a very special bond at one point in time. If you have separated and not gotten together for this length of time, the communication could be off and off for a reason. Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise. Write a pro and con list... what were the pros about your ex and what were the cons? Do the same for your overall general relationship. You'll see that even though there were good and bad times, perhaps you now know what you two separated in the first place. See the list and for what it is. And be optimistic that love is a blessing and will add greatness to your life if you choose to see it that way. It's a bond and a powerful emotion with someone that reminds us people come in and out of our lives for a reason. You learn something from them as they learn something from you. It has helped you grow into the awesome person you are today. Also, writing a note to your ex and then burning it sometimes helps to relieve any old feelings or tensions about the relationship. Or maybe it will open your eyes to something else you haven't realized.
Anonymous
February 12th, 2016 8:08am
Ask yourself, what is that last string that is still attached to you to him/her? And think about the reason why you guys broke up?
Basketballbabe13
February 27th, 2016 9:01am
You should look forward. All the things you loved about your ex are out there in other people. Never dwell on the past and find a better partner.
Anonymous
February 17th, 2017 3:22pm
First you figure out what they represent to you. Once you know what they are a representation of it will be easier to know what parts of yourself you may need to focus on; where they gap is that they helped you fill. Forgive yourself for the your part in the relationship that may have gone bad. Forgive them for their part of the relationship that may have gone bad, and accept the lesson that relationship may have for your future.
Anonymous
November 4th, 2016 4:22pm
You keep thinking about that person until he/she drains away. Not forever, it can never be forever. If you do this long loving a person that is not yours, then it is a shame. And you will find a greater love for you.
WalkinDownRapperBlvd
February 17th, 2016 3:26pm
Try and transfer the love you had for them to someone else. That sounds weird, but i did it. My life is great with this person and i love them more than i ever love my ex of 4 years
Fillorian
April 27th, 2017 10:34am
Break ups and past experiences are what made the person you are now. Try thinking about the things you learned from it and be thankful and try not to think of it as a negative thing but cherish it instead :)
electricDarkness
February 20th, 2016 5:06am
Typically when we can't get over someone it's because we are second guessing the decision we made to leave the relationship. If you ended the relationship, I would suggest writing out a pros and cons list, one with the pros and cons of leaving, and one with the pros and cons of staying. This may help to clarify the reasons you initially felt were important. If you were not the one to end the relationship, I recommend practicing acceptance of the situation. Since it is not in your control, there is not much you can do to change the situation. By coming to terms with the fact that you can't change the situation, you are on the first step towards the path of letting go of this relationship. From then on, you can focus on building a life for yourself that doesn't involve your ex.
Anonymous
March 10th, 2016 1:30pm
Do something you haven't already considered so far. I know it sounds simple but challenge yourself with new opportunities for change.
SkyForForever
April 5th, 2017 1:03am
Practice self love - don't give yourself the expectation that "I should have moved on by now." Continue to focus on self improvement, including and especially being kind to yourself.
Anonymous
October 14th, 2016 3:53am
Wow, I am in the same boat as you! I haven't gotten over my ex completely, but I recognized that I needed to focus on myself. I started new hobbies, volunteering, and making more time for friends. I have kept myself open to other experiences with people, but I allow myself to cry over the loss of my ex once every two months. Just to let it all out.
HereWithYou52
November 25th, 2018 1:03am
From personal experience, it seems that you may not have closure. Maybe seeking them out and finding this closure through a controlled situation may help. They may not love you but this closure can really help you move on with your life and maybe even find someone new. One simple conversation can make a huge difference. Obviously, you know your own situation better than I do, so if you don’t feel comfortable with seeking closure by all means don’t put yourself in a situation you are not comfortable with. I hope this advice helps in some way and you are able to find closure.
mkehelper
July 22nd, 2016 11:35pm
Sometimes we get stuck because something about a situation makes us question something about ourselves. For example, sometimes being unable to get over a breakup isn't about wanting to be with the other person still but rather still being confused or questioning something the breakup made you think about yourself. Sometimes breakups trigger feelings of rejection or abandonment that really bug us. We think its about the other person, but really it's about ourselves. A trained therapist can help you figure out what this might be so that you can learn about yourself and move forward.
insightfulCaramel21
July 20th, 2018 4:49am
Try to take a minute and realize how your life has involved since you last seen them or how much better you have been or have been doing in life how you look at the bigger picture of how if you just take a moment and step out of that box that you can’t get over maybe you can see the site of your future and noticed that you will eventually be able to move on and you just have to believe in yourself and listen to yourself and let yourself know that it’s OK to let go, and just believe in yourself
Anonymous
April 17th, 2016 4:46am
Find a new love. This might be really controversial but sometimes, we need somebody to heal our broken hearts.
avanef
January 27th, 2017 10:35pm
You should really do your best to forget them, especially if you two aren't together. Those things are hard, I know. But, eventually you'll find someone or you'll find something to do to kind of help with that letting go and forgetting process. Plus, I mean I still remember my ex's but more of lessons, than memories and those kinds of things. But, you'll be okay. Time will pass by.
RekKoala559
March 2nd, 2018 2:03am
I’m having the same struggle for the past 8 years and I’ve been married just over 6 years to someone else and have two children... 😔
Strangestmeteorshowers
September 4th, 2016 2:16am
Think of why they are your ex. Were they toxic for you? Did they abuse you? Be thankful to be single
Anonymous
July 30th, 2017 5:08pm
I believe self-care is a huge part of moving on. Focusing on yourself . Going no-contact with the ex is important so you are not drawn back in. Making sure you not tempted to see their social media by blocking them. Deleting phone numbers etc. Sometimes seeing a therapist to help understand why you are unable to stop thinking of your ex and why you are having trouble moving on is helpful as well.
notnovember12
March 25th, 2016 2:09am
Is it possible to talk to them? Getting closure could be a good idea. Just stay completely positive and open minded.