So, your relationship with your ex didn’t work out. Now they keep texting you, liking your posts, or even showing up places you go.
Do you want it to stop but don’t know what’s best – block them forever or ignore their attempts at contact? Both options have good and bad points.
Blocking an ex cuts off communication entirely. You won’t see their texts, calls, posts, or have them pop up in your feed. Sounds great, right? But once you block someone, there’s usually no going back. And if they’re prone to stalking or retaliation, blocking can make them angrier.
You are ignoring an ex instead of blocking and leaving a door open. You’re still connected online, and they can still reach you. But radio silence on your end conveys that you don’t want to chat. It stops the annoying contacts without escalating things. And who knows – you may even rekindle the flame someday.
As you weigh blocking versus ignoring, ask yourself – how bad was the breakup? What’s the likelihood of makeup? And how much distress do this person’s contacts cause?
Read on for factors to help you decide the best route for your peace of mind.
8 Reasons to Block Your Ex
1. They make threats
If your ex is making threats against you, it’s time to block them. Threats should always be taken seriously – document them and consider reporting them to authorities.
However, blocking eliminates a pathway for more threats and can escalate a dangerous situation. Don’t engage with someone menacing your safety – shutting them out protects your well-being.
2. They stalk or harass you
Exes who stalk or constantly harass you online or in person are highly toxic. The urge might come from their feelings, but their actions violate your consent. Stalking often escalates over time when left unchecked.
Even “minor” harassment like lingering stares or invading your privacy can take an emotional toll. Shut stalkers out through blocking – you should not have to deal with violations by an ex.
3. They spread lies or negativity
Some bitter exes handle breakups by spreading rumors, lies, private details about you, or negativity about mutual connections. Their aim is character assassination to make you look bad.
This toxicity poisons your wider social circle against you. And the psychological impacts of deception, bullying, and humiliation can linger. There’s no reason to endure mistreatment – block these exes immediately.
4. Seeing them causes you distress
Even an ex you parted with mutually can still distress you deeply. Seeing their social media accounts, getting texts, or running into them around town may dredge up loving feelings – or awful ones.
Interaction once took comfort from now stresses you out. The hurt hinders moving on. When an ex’s presence brings more pain than good, blocking them gives you needed space to heal.
5. You feel unsafe
Feeling unsafe around an ex is your intuition screaming at you. Whether they make veiled threats, angry outbursts, or physically intimidate you, danger signs should never be ignored. These behaviors often escalate over time – you do not want to wait and find out.
When an ex puts you on edge, they lose the privilege of your time and attention. Block them decisively on all fronts, alert friends, and if needed, the authorities. Create a safe bubble for yourself and your well-being.
6. They repeatedly cross boundaries
Healthy relationships involve understanding each other. Exes who won’t appreciate your stated needs, physical or emotional, cause harm whether they admit it.
Repeated boundary-crossing shows they feel entitled to you and cannot be trusted. Their judgment is too far gone to expect change.
And each incident can chip away at your self-worth when tolerated. Stand up for yourself by blocking – it is the right decision when people treat your consent as optional.
7. You need definite closure
Sometimes, a clean break is healthiest after an intense emotional relationship. You might crave closure to move on or want to cut lingering ties.
But an ex who won’t stop contacting you or discussing the relationship holds you emotionally hostage. They find a way to get back in even when you express wanting distance.
Without closure, feelings might keep hooking you back in. Block them with certainty so you can get closure on your terms at your own pace.
8. They are unrepentantly toxic
Let’s be honest – some people are just irreparably toxic, like narcissists or serial manipulators. They might have qualities that reel you in. But the shady lies, guilt-tripping, gaslighting, emotional abuse, or other toxicity will damage your mental health.
Their drama is like a black hole swallowing all your energy. Detach completely by blocking them everywhere. Toxic exes count on you letting them back in – keep them blocked for your sanity. You deserve so much better.
12 Reasons to Ignore
1. The issue was minor
Not every fight or issue post-breakup warrants cutting ties – some may be minor misunderstandings or expected awkwardness.
Did they comment insensitively or like an old pic of you both? That can sting but might not deserve blocking. Save that for repeat or significant offenses.
For one-off minor incidents, let the upset fade before overreacting. Who knows – on second thought, you might let it go. Keep room for human error.
2. You might reconcile
Be objective – many exes come back around eventually. Once emotions settle from the breakup, you might regain perspective and want to revisit things, especially if the spark and chemistry are still under the surface!
Blocking your ex is likely to burn bridges forever – once done, texts and calls can’t get through to apologize or try reconciling down the road. Keep open to reconnecting by ignoring them instead – but limit how often they can reach out.
3. They could change
People evolve, primarily through breakups. Your ex might deeply regret how the relationship ended and want to show you they’ve become someone worthy of you again.
Maybe life taught them to handle conflict and jealousy better or treat you like the priority you should be. But that growth can’t shine through if you block them prematurely.
Keep a door open by not blocking them – you allow them chances to demonstrate change where second chances could bloom.
4. You’ll take the high road
Staying kind and mature is most challenging when you’ve been hurt – it defines the strength of character. If blocking an ex comes more from anger and less from needing genuine protection, opt to ignore instead.
Taking the high road keeps your conscience clear and lets you hold your head high without sinking into pettiness or vengeance.
Kill them with kindness by politely replying to unwanted texts before ignoring them again. This leaves you blameless and beyond moral reproach if they badmouth you later.
5. It avoids escalation
Sometimes blocking an ex precedes retaliation or escalation, especially if they have controlling or volatile tendencies. Completely cutting contact can trigger their worst impulses.
Protect yourself while avoiding pouring fuel on the fire by ignoring it instead. Make yourself unavailable, but don’t provoke or challenge their power.
One of the best ways to discourage ex-dramatical behavior is acting indifferent – blocking suggests you still care. Minimize blowback by ignoring it.
6. You’re not ready to cut ties
Breakups take huge emotional adjustments. Even when splitting was for the best, a piece of you might not be ready to let go entirely.
Blocking your ex severs everything instantly when you may not be equipped to handle that loss yet. Allow yourself more transition time by ignoring them instead of blocking them outright.
You silence their intrusions into your life but don’t have to endure the pain of decisive closure. Your heart needs more time to accept.
7. You want to give them space
Sometimes, breakups stem from needing personal space to grow. This doesn’t always require permanent blocking – a timeout ignoring each other could do.
Give your ex the breakup space they desire or you realize might help the relationship longer-term. But don’t burn bridges forever in case you reconnect later.
Temporarily cutting chatter while ignoring texts or chatting from them opens that chance. Space apart might give clarity that you’re ultimately better together.
8. It leaves doors open
When you block someone, no communication gets through – you close doors on any future forever. But ignoring unwanted contacts keeps back channels open on your terms.
Exes often cycle back into each other’s lives down the road – friendships revive, or you might even rekindle love. If fond feelings still flicker, soft blocking by ignoring leaves wiggle room.
You minimize their intrusions now, but don’t wall yourself off permanently. Time often fixes wounds – leave yourself options by ignoring them.
9. You have mutual friends
Breakups get messy when your lives intertwine so profoundly. You likely share the same friend group or social circles.
Blocking your ex cuts significant ties and makes things awkward for everyone. But ignoring them keeps the peace while allowing you both to still participate in group activities.
Set limits like avoiding solo hangouts or specific venues that conjure up the past. But don’t torch shared bonds through blocking – take the high road, ignoring them for the crew.
10. You work together
Blocking is usually not an option when your ex is a colleague – your careers depend on maintaining harmony. Limit interactions to preserve professionalism by ignoring personal chatter instead of blocking outright.
Keep communication strictly about work matters rather than hashing out your romantic history. Set boundaries for conduct during meetings and projects. And if needed, talk privately with supervisors about minimizing uncomfortable “alone time.”
11. Ghosting seems immature
Part of emotional maturity means directly but compassionately expressing your needs – not just disappearing from someone’s life.
Blocking an ex without explanation comes across as cold “ghosting.” It might gratify you in the short term but breeds longer-term disrespect.
Instead, try politely but firmly telling your ex you need distance, ignoring follow-up contacts. They still get the message through open, adult communication, not just digital blocking. This builds character and earns more respect.
12. Ignoring gives you power
The higher road is the most empowering and proactive route – ignoring unwanted communication instead of blocking it.
You set the terms and controls of your availability while keeping ties intact to reopen your schedule. Maintaining connections despite silencing them makes you less vulnerable to manipulation or retaliation.
Ignoring liberates you from constant notifications, while blocking still lets them occupy mental space. The power is yours – claim control through mindset shifts without needing blocks.
Final Thoughts
Deciding whether to block or ignore an ex can be tricky. If you might ever get back together, missing leaves that door open. You set a contact rule – maybe replying to one text message or Instagram weekly – so you don’t feel bombarded.
If the relationship is toxic or abusive, though, firmly block them everywhere to stay safe and prioritize healing.
In some cases, blocking is the only way to end a relationship permanently. But other times, ignoring an ex, not fueling contact, and focusing on your growth are better options. It prevents them from occupying too much mental space. And who knows – after time apart ignoring each other, you may reboot things after emotions settle.
No matter your decision, your well-being should be the #1 priority. If you’re struggling, unbiased friends and life coaches can provide the soundboard needed to start well.
The path forward looks different for everyone. But clarity will come with self-compassion, putting your needs first, and giving yourself space. You’ve got this!
