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Should I delete all pictures of my ex?

315 Answers
Last Updated: 05/24/2022 at 12:07am
Should I delete all pictures of my ex?
1 Tip to Feel Better
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Stacy Overton, PhD.

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I am an enthusiastic life-long learner and also a professor of counseling. I have a passion for peoples stories and helping to guide and empower the human spirit.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
June 8th, 2016 9:15pm
Yes, because you do not need your ex in your life anymore. Time for the next person to walk into your life
helpfulZebra33
June 10th, 2016 8:32am
Not necessarily, unless its causing you pain seeing them. Sometimes its good to have them, may be you guys might get back in future?
SkiesFreedom
July 25th, 2016 8:13pm
Maybe. Maybe not. It's not an easy thing to say because there is no clear YES or NO answer. It depends how your relationship ended. Did both of you say it's better to go seperate ways? Or did it end ina huge fight? How do you reflect on your relationship? Do you recall more happy or bad memories? If you feel like the pictures of your ex are hindering you at living a balanced life, then I wouldn't necessarily burn them, because burning has a very aggressive and destructive aura. Maybe put them in a boy and burry them. If you have them on your phone, then delete them, if you think that your life would be a bit easier without them on your phone. If you don't think that the pictures of your ex are blocking your way of living then just keep them, because sometimes we all get a bit melancholic and drift away in sadness and loo through old pictures. It's a human thing to do.
Anonymous
November 22nd, 2016 5:34pm
Not quite, even if you two are not together anymore, that doesn't mean they weren't a part of your life. Maybe you have some happy memories in that pictures. But if looking at then brings pain, tan definitely I'd delete them.
PeacefulSycamore
February 6th, 2018 8:49pm
There is no right or wrong answer. Sometimes, deleting pictures can help us move past relationships easier. If you think deleting the pictures will benefit you in the long run, do it.
LeoC1999
February 13th, 2018 3:43am
It is up to you If you wish to forget him and move on I say yes but if you are wanting to keep that part of your life than no
comfortableCand26
March 13th, 2018 12:00am
This is a hard question many of us ask. I understand you may still be in love with the person but ask yourself, will you ever go back to what you was before? If no, delete them. If yes, follow your heart.
DarkSideoftheAmericanDream23
February 12th, 2019 1:10am
You should only delete any embarrassing, inappropriate, or just something that wouldn't be kind. You can keep photos of you together. But, you should never use any photos as blackmail or as means of harassment. You shouldn't keep anything that you wouldn't like of yourself on your phone. Don't share the guy/girl's photo's with your friends as a way of embarrassing your ex. Even if the breakup was more messy than intended, never use any photos to harm the person. No need to delete all photos of him/her unless you feel like you need that as a way to start focusing on better things.
BeennThroughThatX
December 3rd, 2019 6:48pm
It completely depends on your situation, and how you broke up. When its pictures of you and them together or even just them it's better to delete them but in some cases you might end up regretting later on so it's actually a better option to put them in a locked folder like in snapchat 'my eyes only' folder or somewhere else hidden away where you won't view them. Or maybe You can send them to a trusted friend who would keep them for you until you're completely over your ex and looking at them won't bother you.
sunshineMelody2530
February 17th, 2020 9:20am
It depends, if looking or seeing these pictures bring negative memories then perhaps deleting them would offer you some peace of mind; however, if you have positive memories of your time together then deleting them might be something one would regret. The choice is in your hands.
Anonymous
October 1st, 2020 8:56pm
Honestly, this is a personal choice. Some people will say yes absolutely you don't need the reminders. Some people will say no because of the memories. There isn't really a clear cut answer, but for me I always look to your happiness at the pictures if you should keep them or not. Do they make you really sad and homesick for a person? Maybe consider not keeping them. Do they make you laugh at times and aren't so upsetting? Maybe keeping them for now is your jam. Whatever makes you the happiest. And don't feel you have to delete all your pictures of them right away, you can always start small and slow as well. :)
bubblegumNarwhal3234
January 11th, 2021 12:31pm
I would recommend you only delete pictures when you are ready to. Do not rush into deleting something if you aren’t ready to do so. Take your moving on process slow and steady, it wins the race. It’s never easy to let go of things we’ve lost, but one day you can look back and think about how strong you’ve been. If you think deleting those photos will be beneficial to you, 100% do it. But if you feel you aren’t ready yet, don’t push yourself. Listen to what your body needs and be patient with yourself. We all react differently to pain.
EricaA2000
March 23rd, 2021 8:51pm
Thanks for reaching out! This is 100% up to you! There are pros and cons of doing so and this is something that you really want to think about carefully before deciding what you wish to do with the pictures of your ex. From personal experience in the past I have made the decision to delete all pictures I had of my ex and I. In the moment and for the time being it was beneficial because it did help me move on quicker however, sometimes I do wish I had some of the pictures so I could look back and remember those times. It's important to ask yourself if the relationship was an unhealthy or healthy one for you. Do you see you and your ex being friends only? Do you hope for your ex to become your boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife in the future again? At the end of the day it is whatever you feel comfortable with!
Anonymous
July 26th, 2021 11:18pm
If you want to and if it helps you to move on. If you want to and if it helps you to move on. If you want to and if it helps you to move on. If you want to and if it helps you to move on. If you want to and if it helps you to move on. If you want to and if it helps you to move on. If you want to and if it helps you to move on. If you want to and if it helps you to move on. If you want to and if it helps you to move on.
Anonymous
May 24th, 2022 12:07am
That is a very good question and I understand that in some cases, in order to move on, we need to clear space for new memories. I personally discarded pictures of my exes and it did help me move on but I also know that it's not always necessary to do so. Some people are able to look beyond the pictures and the goods to get closure. It's very personal and each couple has a different story. Do what feels right to you and what would help you to go through this situation, there is not right or wrong move as long as it fits with you.