Like it or not, social media is here to stay.
Facebook. Twitter, Instagram etc. have absolutely changed the way we flirt, date, get laid, and interact with our partners. And while it may be nice to update your Facebook relationship status to “In a Relationship” or post cutesy photos of your beau eating ice-cream on Instagram, the reality is this: when the relationship ends you are left with the remnants of your digital romance.
What should you do about it?
The answer relies heavily on how your relationship ended, as well; it also depends on your particular personality type. Are you the type to get sentimental or obsessive? Then social media is probably your worst nightmare because the opportunity to creep your ex is too available and tempting.
Here are just a few things to consider (other than your online relationship status) when destroying the digital evidence of love lost:
Your profile pictures
If your relationship was serious, then it’s likely that you posted a profile picture of you and your love at some point during your relationship. I’ve seen many profiles of men that I’ve been interested in, and taken note when they’ve still got pictures of themselves cuddling their ex lurking on there. To me, it says one of two things: 1) You’re too lazy to change your profile and you don’t really care or 2) You still aren’t over your ex. Both these options are not favorable, especially when you consider that your profile picture album is usually the album most commonly looked at on your Facebook. My verdict: Get rid of all those couple profile shots as they could damage you in your single phase.
Tagged Photos
Tagged photos are a little different from your profile pictures. Unless someone who really wants to creep you will peruse through all your tagged photos (that is, if you have that option available to your friends). They’re not as upfront as profile pictures, and can always be excused as part of a time of your life. I love looking back through my tagged photos and seeing how different I was or remembering some of the funnier moments in my life. That said, you may want to untag yourself from photos with your ex if you find yourself continuously reminiscing over them. If they are painful reminders, then eliminate the pain and get rid of them. You need to move forward.
Your message thread
In the olden days, couples used to write each other lengthy love letters. These letters have been replaced by messaging threads between you and your ex. The question is: do you delete the promises the love, the inside jokes, the online fights, and sex chats for the sake of your sanity? It might not be the best idea to be reading this stuff in the post breakup phase as it will trigger painful memories and make you feel all sentimental. If you can avoid looking at until a later stage when you’re ready then we see keep it. It’s one of those things you can look back on and laugh later.