HOW TO COPE WHEN YOUR EX MOVES ON

Emma explains how to react when your old flame finds new love while you’re still recovering – and why it’s not the end of the world

reak-ups are tough, B especially if you didn’t choose to end your relationship, and discovering your ex has moved on makes healing even harder, particularly if it happens quickly. Even when you think you are getting over it, logging on to Instagram to find their new loved-up snaps can ruin the best of days. None of us like to feel we are disposable or replaceable, particularly so publicly, but because social media is pretty unavoidable, the healthiest approach is to block your ex from all your social media channels. This doesn’t mean you can’t be cordial in real life, it just ensures you don’t waste your precious time trawling through upsetting pictures. When you meet with mutual friends, acknowledge that he has moved on, removing the elephant in the room, and express how you feel, but try not to be negative about his new romance.

Tell your mates it’s difficult for you, but don’t ask them to take sides, and never feel you have to pretend you are finding single life brilliant, because you may need their shoulders to cry on later. Speak to your nearest and dearest as often as you need to – it speeds up the grieving process, allowing you to re-frame your ex-relationship.

Friends and family can help you smash the rosetinted spectacles with some healthy reality, shining a light on your ex’s less favourable qualities. Relationships should make you feel loved, cherished and valued, so if you ex has moved on, think positively – he has freed you up to meet someone better.