Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

Should I delete all pictures of my ex?

Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Jul 20, 2015
...read more
It depends. Was it a healthy break-up? Do you look back on the memories you made together fondly? Do you feel like they enriched your life for a short time? Did they once make you very happy? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then delete them. Life is too short to waste pining after someone who isn't making you happy.
Breakups can be hard
Take the Free Wellness Quiz
Gain insight & track progress for anxiety & depression
Talk to a Licensed Therapist
Online chat & video therapy at your fingertips
Help keep 7 Cups free

Takes less than a minute. Keeps 7 Cups free for someone else.

A small contribution goes straight to keeping the community running.

Profile: MeowTalk
MeowTalk on Jun 10, 2016
...read more
Don't delete these. Really, don't. You'll regret it if you do. Not because maybe someday you'll get back together and be so glad you kept it all. You probably won't. But these pictures aren't just small monuments to a failed romance, they're high-resolution instants from your life, recorded forever, unfading. it's the way you were at a particular moment a shutter snapped and a digital sensor touched light. It's your dog, your apartment, your haircut, your vacation, your job, your old bike—everything that was you for that moment, regardless of who you were dating and who you loved. Instead, vault it. Copy everything that's too much to look at onto an external hard drive or some remote backup system, and then delete it from your machine. Put that hard drive in a sock drawer or under your bed. Give it to a friend. Place it where it won't distract and won't harm, but, when you're ready, can provide a vivid reminder of who you used to be. That's incredibly powerful! Don't destroy it on a whim.
Profile: insightfulTruth93
insightfulTruth93 on Jan 9, 2016
...read more
It's impossible to plow through a committed relationship in an industrialized nation without piling up an abundant digital record. You'll have chat transcripts, tagged photos on Facebook, beautiful photos from a DSLR, email letters, Skype call screenshots, texts—so, so many texts. Your first instinct will be to throw it all away.That's not a reflex to be ashamed of—just like you wouldn't want to stare at a framed photo of your ex while you're hurting, you don't want to look at hundreds of messages and JPEGs detailing that person either. We're all hypersensitive when it happens, and we're living in an age of hyper-info. There are more grains of salt to catch in your heart wound than ever before. This isn't easy..But wait till they make you feel less hurt,give.yourself time to let their impact be less intense on you..don't be rash and trash it...Open yourself to the idea of seeing them one day as a cherished experience and someday you'll let them remind you of how far you've come from what you once were and smile a proud smile for living through all the hurt..
Profile: YourNotAlone27
YourNotAlone27 on Nov 1, 2015
...read more
Yes, because your ex is your ex for a reason.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Nov 26, 2014
...read more
It would depend on if you're planning to get back with them. If you're not, then I'd say keep your favourite, and delete the rest. If you want to get back with them, then just hold onto the pics!!
Profile: cupsofjoyy
cupsofjoyy on Mar 20, 2016
...read more
if you have them then you're gonna look at them and you're gonna remember how it was to be with that person. how do you expect yourself to get over a face that you're looking at everyday?
Profile: MrHector
MrHector on Jun 17, 2015
...read more
An ex is a very important part of one's life. A person learns a lot of good and at times bad things during a relationship so keeping mementos is a very complicated issue. It all comes down to feelings and current and future relationships. If you are not in a relationship and do not plan on being one in the immediate future, it all comes down to how the pictured make you feel. If you are in another relationship or plan to be in the near future, pictures of old lovers might be an issue; however, if they really mean enough to want to keep around, it is best to be upfront about it and talk to your partner about the reasons behind this. There is no short answer for this question but I hope this helps.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Apr 23, 2015
...read more
Yes and no. I hope that one day you can look back at those pictures and think of the good memories you had. It would be a shame to throw away things you could potentially miss. I wouldn't be opposed to tossing a few photos if it helps you heal. But someday I think you will miss having something to remind you of those good moments you shared.
Profile: BeInJoy
BeInJoy on Dec 18, 2015
...read more
If they're the ex only, yes. If they are of you AND your ex, I'd say keep it - if you're smiling or happy in it. I always kept the pictures that had me in them. At some point, you'll want to look back and either remember the good times in you life, or have reminders of what you've survived through. But hide them until you need them.
Profile: reflective
reflective on Nov 28, 2014
...read more
If you are ready to accept his absense, deleting the pictures may better help your process of healing.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Sep 1, 2015
...read more
Yes, if you really want to get over your ex, the first step is deleting all the pictures of them. It really helps
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Dec 20, 2015
...read more
just put them in a safe hidden place and keep them for when you are old and nostalgic, it may be heart-warming to look at them later again
Profile: Bigheart4all
Bigheart4all on Oct 29, 2015
...read more
it depends on the situation if it was a healthy break up or not or if you still communicate or not. otherwise, being able to move on with your life means leaving the past in the past. otherwise your past is hurting your chances of being much happier than if you keep the pictures.
Profile: hopefulPerspective70
hopefulPerspective70 on Jan 7, 2016
...read more
Acutally yes you should. If you're not deleting pictures of your ex it means somewhere you still miss them or love them. Nd you should just move on. Your past is not with you anymore. So leave the past behind nd start a new life. It's never too late.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Apr 24, 2015
...read more
If it makes you feel better then yes, you should delete it. However, if you know that by deleting it, not only would it not make you feel better but instead, it'll make you feel bad or regret after, then don't delete it.
Profile: ComplexxHeartt
ComplexxHeartt on Nov 26, 2014
...read more
Yes deleting everything related to an ex is the first step to getting over them and it helps healing
Profile: maskedanonymous
maskedanonymous on Sep 18, 2015
...read more
YES. Yes, you should. To avoid flashbacks whenever you see your pictures. But it doesn't mean you forget him that easily. It's just you choose to avoid anything that reminds you of him in any way to ease the pain (if you're hurt.)
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Jan 6, 2016
...read more
I would not delete them. Even though you broke up you still can remember those nice moments you had together.
Profile: kjaaquinn1
kjaaquinn1 on Feb 10, 2016
...read more
I would say no WAY. All memories are a strong part of my past. I protect all of them just as I protect pictures of my children. When you part ways it does not change your past. Be friends as you move on!
Profile: safeHeaven16
safeHeaven16 on Feb 11, 2016
...read more
If you feel like you are emotionally ready for taking that step, then do so. If you are still not over them then deleting everything might hurt you more than the fact that you are no longer together. You are the expert in you, if you're ready you will know
Share a Helpful Insight
Sharing helps others and its therapeutic for you.
0/150 Minimum Characters
0/75 Minimum Words