(Images are from The Daily Northwestern and Mubi)

“Jessica James, an aspiring NYC playwright, is struggling to get over a recent breakup. She sees a light at the end of the tunnel when she meets the recently divorced Boone. Together, they discover how to make it through the tough times while realizing they like each other—a lot.” – Synopsis from Mubi

Last night I was scrolling through Netflix trying to find something to watch until I fell asleep which, I thought, was fastly approaching.  I came across The Incredible Jessica James movie and got a two for one deal while watching this movie.  First, obviously I could relate to being a brokenhearted woman and second, the main character Jessica, is a playwright who aspires to work amongst the greats in the industry (I won’t be a spoiler and tell you the rest of the storyline) but……I kept thinking, OMG if this ain’t my life on my laptop screen!?!?!

I’ve gone through enough breakups to know that these three tips I have for you, will work if you’re trying to move on with your life.  Don’t worry, I’ve used all three of these tips, and have also suffered from emotional meltdowns sometimes as well because I still had some unconscious thoughts about my ex’s as Jessica has in the movie.  But overall, and in time, all wounds will heal.

1.)  UNFOLLOW, DELETE, BLOCK, etc., your ex from ALL social media

Now, I’m not talking about your ex from high school that broke up with you over 20 years ago and y’all are friends on social media.  If you’re still heartbroken over that breakup, STOP READING THIS POST AND GO SEEK COUNSELING!  This is for that most recent breakup with a person who you were in love with and thought you would spend the rest of your life with.  If that describes you, you may continue reading…..

Once you click on unfollow, now you have the great task of removing any painful memories of you and your ex.  Which means cleaning up your timeline by deleting the million photos you posted and clean out the picture frames, favorite clothes and other miscellaneous items from your house/apartment that reminds you of your ex.  If you were engaged, give the ring back! Don’t torture yourself sis with the should’ve, would’ve, could’ve that will come along if you keep that ring.  If this is too painful to do alone, buy some wine and take-out and invite your bff’s over.  They probably never liked the guy anyway and probably happy to help you BLOCK him from your life.

2.) You need a support system

Find a trusted friend or create a support system that you can be honest and vulnerable with, and be honest about your thoughts and feelings.  We all need someone that will remind us of how AMAZING we are and in those drunken moments when we want to drunk text or call our ex, that friend, throws our phone across the room (hopefully you have insurance) or hides it from us until the next morning, when we have sobered up enough.  That’s real squad goals!

During a breakup, is not the time to be alone.  Sure, have your brief time alone to gather your thoughts, pick yourself up off the floor after a night of crying but eventually, you must return to reality and deal with the healing process.  Which leads me to my final tip:

3.) Get out of the house and go do something!

You might not want to hear this but, your ex has moved on and so should you.  Have a girls night out, go for a walk, go to that restaurant that you’ve always wanted to go to but you were too busy Netflix and chilling with your ex-bae.  Just do something!  Don’t just lay around the house, crying and eating ice cream all day, listening to sad music or watching movies that remind you of your ex.  I have done that too many times, and it never turns out good for me emotionally.  Get back to work, or working on that project that you put to the side, volunteer at an after school program or homeless shelter.  Again, just do something to help you get over the blues of a breakup.

What are some other tips that can help someone get over an ex?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

You can also watch the movie trailer here The Incredible Jessica James Trailer