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Social media is incredibly problematic for people going through breakups. When you’ve just ended it with somebody, you’re fragile, easily influenced and lonely. You’re not in the normal, stable state of mind you have to be in to brush off all of the tragic stories, nasty comment fights and engagement announcements on Facebook. You certainly aren’t strong enough to see any post from your ex. If he so much as checks into a restaurant you think that he is not taking this breakup very seriously! He should be wallowing at home like you are! If another female posts anything on his wall—anything at all—you’re up until 2 am analyzing her social media accounts. Social media is a miserable place for the heartbroken, but you can make it even more miserable if you partake in common post-breakup habits. Here is how to navigate social media after a breakup.
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Hide his posts from your timelines
This is like social media breakup rules 101. Stop looking at his stuff! There is nothing he can post that will make you happy. Seeing his name makes you miserable.
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Just be stealth about it
The reason you’re hiding statuses rather than unfollowing people entirely is that if your ex sees you unfriended him, he might send you a text asking why you did that or simply stating he noticed you did that. You don’t need that sh*t.
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Don’t change your relationship status immediately
Don’t change you relationship status until you feel more settled. Changing it will only welcome dozens of messages from people asking what happened, and do you really want to deal with that?
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Refrain from photos with hot guys
You will feel tempted to take lots of photos with any attractive guys you hang out with and post them to make your ex jealous. But don’t. It will just leave you feeling gross.
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Don’t mention the breakup on social media
Don’t post a status or tweet about your breakup. Doing this screams, “Pay attention to me” and that type of status only attracts creepy, predatorial guys.
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Don’t ask a friend to stalk
You’ve decided to hide your ex’s posts from your timeline now commit to that. Don’t ask a friend to look at his pages and tell you what he’s up to.
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Don’t read the sad articles
You’re in no condition to read articles about homeless animals and babies who lost their parents to war. These will only send you into a down spiral of thoughts about how life is so fleeting, and you might text your ex.
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But don’t look through them
Refrain from looking at the photos, though! You took photos when you two were happy. If you look at those, you’ll suddenly forget how unhappy you were at the end of the relationship and consider calling the ex.
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Take it easy on the selfies
An increase in hot selfies is a tell-tale sign of a woman who is recently single. This, also, only attracts creepy guys hoping to prey on your vulnerable state.
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And the groupies
You want to show off to your ex about how happening your social life is. You’re at rooftop pools and red carpet parties. But this will also leave you feeling gross because it won’t satisfy you at all the way you’d hoped.
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Limit the life and love quotes
You’re learning a lot about life and love right now. You don’t need to share every eCard and poster that sums up those lessons perfectly. Why? Because it’s annoying.
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Don’t get sucked into fitness cults
People often want to get in shape during a breakup. There are so many fitness cults online now promising that their body wraps or their meal plans are the answers to your prayers. Stay away from them—they’re money-sucking vampires.
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Or pyramid schemes
You only might feel impatient to become extremely successful, as a form of payback to the ex. There are plenty of pyramid schemes online that will promise you success. Stay away!
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Be critical of events
You may hate being alone, so you’re perusing the list of random Facebook event invitations to keep yourself busy. But usually, you don’t personally know anybody at these events. And going will make you feel more lonely than ever.
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Unfollow man-haters
You’re too easily influenced right now. Your impulse is to hate all men, but that’s not healthy. So unfollow women who post a lot of man-hating statuses.
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Countless, “Life is so amazing” statuses
As another form of revenge, you might want to post tons of statuses about how you’ve never been happier! But the truth is, you are sad right now. And pretending you’re not sad can make you even sadder.
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Leave social media entirely
That’s a bit dramatic, don’t ya think?
