Going through a barrage of emotions may be difficult to handle as you are eager to go back to a friendly camaraderie with your ex. But post a break-up, your actions, reactions and solutions depend upon the kind of relationship you shared. Interior designer Priya Gill, who never bid farewell to her past opines, "I don't see any reason why one should not keep in touch with his/her ex. You should know where to draw the line and pull back where you feel uncomfortable. The 'ex' is someone you know well (probably). If there was no disaster that happened or a bitter betrayal that snapped ties, why should you be rude and ignorant?"
In an ideal world, one would love to stay friends with their 'ex'. After all, they meant the world to each other at one point and also it's hard to let go. Journalist Kalpana Roy opines, "I personally have deleted my ex's contact details from my address book, cell phone and even my E-mails. But it didn't happen overnight. Though we ended our affair mutually, I kept chatting with them on a friendly basis initially. But then issues popped up, so it was best for me was to cut my exes out. I believe in living in the present".
So, is it better to leave no strings attached? Well, at least until you know you can manage to be friends, taking this route is easier. "It might just make dealing with your break-up more painful," answers psychologist Nimissha adding, "It is not that easy to cut the chord with the one you have shared a high level of intimacy. It completely depends on the nature of the break-up. Also, mutual understanding between the two matters while choosing to be in touch or not, so that there's no scope of misconceptions in the future. While being 'just friends' one has to clearly ascertain the boundaries".
Post break-up, one needs time to settle with one's own self. So, leaving each other alone is advisable. For a while till you have overcome your own conflicting emotions, stop running after each other, bombarding one another with phone calls, text messages and E-mails. Keep in mind the reasons of your break up, until your mind is in sync with your heart. Psychiatrist Dr Samir Praikh says, "It's not advisable to keep in touch with your 'ex' immediately after you have parted ways. Reduce the frequency of contacts to a bare minimum as this may drain one emotionally. It's very important to realise what you actually want - to keep in touch or move ahead in life".
At times, neither breaking ties is easy, nor is it convenient to be friends. "My 'ex' boyfriend was my close friend for more than one year. I wanted to be friends after we broke up. But then he wanted to get back together, which I wasn't in favour of. Finally, he chose to not being in touch and moving on. It's hard for me to deal with his absence as I still crave to know about his well-being once in while," relates Namita who is still trying to come in terms with her break up.
Sexual urges are another aspect that can't be ignored because it's only natural that you have shared some amount of intimacy with your ex. It's human to miss the sexual intimacy you once shared with your partner. As Priya says, "I am high on my urges. I felt awkward at first to reveal it to my ex, but then slowly we started chatting on friendly lines. I shared my sexual desires with him as a friend. And to my surprise I got the same response from my ex boyfriend who was also going through the same desires." Sexual temptations are natural as Dr Megha Kapoor says, "One night stands are common between old flames, but one should know each other's comfort levels. Remember once you have indulged in physical intimacy after a break up, there should be no room left for repentance as that will only worsen matters."
Just know that your ex may not have been the right person for you and be ready to move on...it's for the better! Apart from the said reasons, there are few things that one can do when it comes to dealing with your 'ex':
Accept it: "Accept the fact that you guys are not a couple any more and that your ex may even date others. That apart, you will have to find a healthy way to deal with the bitterness that may have been the reasons for your break up," confirms Nimissha. Share with caution – "There might be certain things that you both may have shared while you were together, just like a bank account that may be joint. So think of a way of sharing it with one another, but at he same time, find a way to control the nagging urge to go back," says Dr. Parikh.
No fix-it man: There is no reason why you should to be her fix-it man. "It is okay to help your ex out once in a while, but you have to make it clear that you are no more an active part of her daily life" adds Dr. Parikh.
Start fresh: You need to move on and this may not involve your ex. "You may need to seek for solace in a new friend, leaving your past behind. And learn that there's no harm in starting afresh," adds psychologist Megha Kapoor.
Be understanding: Until and unless you are ready to let go of your inner frustration, bitterness anger, you can't move on. "There might come times when you feel being used, abused and even taken advantage of. But that was the past and you have to deal with the present," adds Megha.
Source: TOI