Breakups are never easy. In the initial stages of a breakup, you might get stressed out and sad. You can’t get over your partner. That’s why most people check their ex’s social media. To know what they are up to and how they are doing. But the main question is, should you follow your ex on Instagram? Or block them? Will unfollowing them make any difference?
The answer is: It depends on your feelings and emotional state. After weighing all the possible consequences you can come to a conclusion about this.
Keep reading because, in this article, you’ll get answers to all your questions.
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Should I Unfollow My Ex On Instagram?
Social media is a huge part of our daily lives. According to stats, Instagram is the third most used social media platform. It’s a way to stay connected, but when it comes to your ex, is it good to stay connected with them?
Let’s look for when you should unfollow and when to stay connected with them.
When You Should Unfollow Your Ex
There are many reasons you might get inclined towards unfollowing your ex. Here are some of the reasons you should unfollow them.
Consider Effects On Your Emotional State
Imagine you’re scrolling on Instagram, and suddenly, you see a post of your ex on vacation. Your ex is smiling, laughing, and enjoying their time.
How does that make you feel?
Sad? Jealous? Angry?
If you’re feeling negative emotions after coming across your ex-post, it’s time to unfollow them because it is worsening your emotional state.
Chances Of Misunderstanding And Misinterpretations
Misinterpreting posts on social media is extremely common. Suppose your ex posted a picture of their new partner on social media, but you misinterpreted it into something else.
It can lead to huge problems.
It’s just an innocent post, but it can be hurtful. It’s best to unfollow your ex on social media to avoid these situations.
Create Space To Move On
By unfollowing your ex, you can create a space on social media. Letting go of relationships is hard.
You get reminders of it.
But by unfollowing them on social media, you create a clean break so you can move on.
When You Should Keep Following Your Ex
But unfollowing your ex is not always the best option. Here are some instances when you should keep following your ex.
Maintain A Healthy Relationship With Your Ex
Suppose you both ended the relationship on good terms. Even though things were not good, staying connected via Instagram is a good idea if you are fine with being good friends.
It means you don’t have to unfollow your ex on Instagram. Through this, you can avoid all the awkwardness.
Stay Updated About Their Life
Remember that there’s a difference between staying updated about your ex’s life.
- You’re obsessively stalking them.
- You genuinely want to follow them without any harsh feelings.
If you’re following them for the first reason, it’s an unhealthy practice. However, following them is fine if you’re genuinely concerned about them and it’s not hindering your healing journey.
Reduces Any Negative Rumors
If you’ve mutual friends, then unfollowing your ex can create unnecessary drama. You can hear statements like.
Why did you unfollow them?
That’s so childish.
People might start spreading rumors about your relationship and call you petty for unfollowing.
If you suspect these things can happen, it’s best to be civil and not unfollow your ex.
How Do You Decide Whether To Unfollow Your Ex?
Now that you know both situations, you should stay connected and know when to unfollow them. Here are some questions you should consider before making a decision.
- What’s your emotional state after seeing posts of your ex?
- What kind of relationship do you want with your ex after a breakup?
- Are you monitoring your ex’s every move with the help of social media?
- What type of posts does your ex share?
- What do your friends, family, and close ones feel?
But remember that the decision to unfollow your ex is solely yours. Take your time and think about the best thing to do in this situation.
What If My Ex Unfollowed Me First?
It can be extremely confusing if your ex unfollowed you on Instagram first. If you’re feeling hurt, sad, and rejected, then it’s a completely normal reaction. But don’t devalue yourself just because they unfollowed you.
It doesn’t define your worth.
They might want to start a new chapter of your life, or maybe they accidentally unfollowed you. However, avoid asking them about why they unfollowed you on Instagram. Respect their decision and prioritize your growth.
Should I Block My Ex Instead Of Just Unfollowing Them?
In most cases, people get extremely hurt and decide to block their ex, so there’s no way to contact them at all. Blocking ex is an effective way to prevent yourself from checking their social media all the time. Not only this, you won’t be able to engage in activities such as messaging them or checking their posts.
It can make moving on hard. In this situation, you can block them.
But on the flip side, some people may consider blocking ex as a hostile act. It’s as if you’re trying to manipulate the feelings and behavior of your ex.
But there’s only one person whose opinion should matter.
YOU.
Only care about your thoughts and what’s better for your emotional needs. Then, make decisions that align with your values and goals.
Is It Immature To Unfollow Your Ex?
The short answer is: It depends.
If you are unfollowing your ex because you want to take revenge on them. Maybe you want them to miss you, so you unfollow them. Then, it is immature.
However, if you’re unfollowing for your peace and healing yourself, then it’s not immature.
Especially if you’re in a new relationship and want to distance yourself from toxic people and set healthy boundaries, then you should consider unfollowing them.
Remember, unfollowing is immature only if you are playing tactics and tricks to get your ex back.
How Can I Cope With Emotional Pain Of Seeing My Ex On Social Media?
Seeing your ex on social media is not a delightful experience for most people. It can make you insecure, and coping with feelings can be tough. Here are some tips to help you cope with the emotional pain of seeing an ex on social media.
- Practice self-care: Prioritize your well-being and engage in activities that bring you comfort.
- Limit exposure: Reduce the time spent looking at your ex’s posts on Instagram to minimize emotional distress.
- Seek support: Talk to friends or a therapist about your feelings to gain perspective and emotional support.
- Distract yourself: Focus on hobbies or activities that make you happy. Take your mind off the situation.
Wrapping Up
In a nutshell, deciding whether to unfollow your ex on Instagram depends on your personal choice. You should consider your mental state, emotional condition, social media habits, etc, to avoid unnecessary pain.
Remember to prioritize your overall well-being instead of thinking about what others will think and how they’ll react. Focus on your healing journey and be patient with yourself. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach that can help you get over a breakup.