Why blocking makes sense
First of all, blocking isn’t petty. Some people think it’s dramatic, but honestly, it’s just self-care. If seeing their name pop up every five minutes makes you feel like you got hit by a truck, then yeah, blocking might be a solid move.
Science even backs this up. Studies show that cutting off contact with an ex can help you move on faster. Your brain literally treats heartbreak like withdrawal, and every text or social media post is like feeding the addiction. If you’re trying to quit the habit (aka stop thinking about them every five seconds), blocking is like putting a lock on the fridge when you’re on a diet. Harsh? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.
Also, let’s be real—some exes don’t take the hint. Maybe they keep sending “I miss you” texts at 2 AM. Maybe they suddenly remember all your inside jokes and won’t stop bringing them up. If every message makes it harder to move forward, blocking might be the only way to keep your peace.
When ignoring might be enough
Not every breakup needs the nuclear option. If things ended on decent terms, you might not feel the need to erase them from your digital world. Maybe they’re just a random person in your feed now, like that old coworker you never talk to but still see posting about their dog.
Ignoring can work if you don’t feel triggered by their posts or messages. If you can scroll past their latest “look how great my life is” update without feeling a thing, then congrats! You might not need to block them.
This also applies if you have mutual friends or work together. Blocking could make things more awkward than they need to be. If you know you won’t be tempted to engage, just letting them exist in the background might be the easiest option.
The social media factor
Social media makes everything harder. Before, you’d break up and maybe run into your ex at the grocery store once in a while. Now, they’re always there—posting gym selfies, tweeting song lyrics that may or may not be about you, and mysteriously liking your old pictures from six months ago.
If seeing their posts sends you into a spiral, why put yourself through it? Even if you don’t want to block them completely, at least mute or unfollow them. Out of sight, out of mind. And if they’re the type to keep checking your profiles, maybe blocking is the only way to stop the weird back-and-forth.
What if you regret it?
Let’s say you block them in a moment of frustration and then start second-guessing yourself. It happens. The good news? You can always unblock. But before you do, ask yourself why. Is it because you genuinely think you’re over it, or is it because you’re hoping they noticed and now you want to see if they care?
Blocking doesn’t have to be forever, but it should serve a purpose. If you needed space to heal, give yourself time before reconnecting in any way—even digitally.
What’s the best choice?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some exes deserve to be blocked without a second thought. Others might just need to be moved to the “I don’t care anymore” section of your brain. The key is figuring out what helps you move on instead of staying stuck.So, should you block your ex? If it makes your life easier, yes. If you don’t really care anymore, then maybe just let it be. Either way, do whatever keeps you from staring at your phone, waiting for a message that probably won’t come. And if you need an extra boost? Ice cream and a good playlist never hurt.