These feelings for your ex are actually very normal

It remains strange. You once shared your life with each other, and then, well, not anymore. Not at all, in fact. You are now complete strangers: an ex is just an ex. You used to be in bed together laughing, and now you barely say hello to each other on the street.

Ah, that's how things go. It's part of the game of love. But which feelings for your ex are considered normal to have?

You notice that you still think about your ex, wondering how they are doing, or even having moments where you question whether your decision to break up was the right one. This can be confusing and frustrating, but it's important to know that these feelings are completely normal. So: take a deep breath. Because it's okay. If you've been together for a while, you've probably built a deep emotional bond with your ex. This bond doesn't just disappear because the relationship is over. Even after the romantic aspects have faded, feelings of affection and care often remain.

And dreaming about him or her? That can happen too. Often, we dream during a relationship about the future we will have together with our partner. When the relationship ends, those dreams and expectations can't just disappear. It can be difficult to accept that future won't be there, leading to lingering feelings for your ex. You might think back to this in your deepest REM sleep, as these feelings and memories run very deep. After a breakup, you enter a new phase of your life without your familiar partner by your side. This can evoke feelings of uncertainty and fear. Your ex represented a certain stability, and letting go of that can be hard, even if you know it's better to move on. This is especially true if you haven't found a new love in your life yet.

Let it go. If that's how it is, then it is. And that feeling is allowed to be there. Every relationship, even those that end, teaches us something about ourselves. Reflect on what you've learned and how you can apply those lessons in future relationships. Healing is a process that takes time. Be patient with yourself and don't force yourself to be “over” your ex within a certain time limit. And go do fun things, give yourself that love. You'll get through it.