Imagine turning around a corner, running into your ex and feeling your heart drop. Suddenly, all of the good and bad memories are flooding back into your mind, making you feel depressed. If you’re ugly crying to class, it’s okay…many of us have been there too. However, if you want to avoid these emotional landmines, there are many different ways to avoid having to see your ex. If you need help with your ex-evasion, we’ve got you covered.

Take a different route to class

There’s more than one way to get to every class in the school. If you always see your ex in the hallway at a certain time, take a different route. Since you are given five minutes to get to class, taking a different hallway shouldn’t make you late if you plan ahead of time and walk with a purpose.

Sprint to class

If you are in the hallway for less time, you have a lower chance of running into your ex. Grab a map and sprint the fastest route to your next destination. Exercise and avoidance are all wrapped up into one.

Avoid your ex’s friends

If you see your ex’s friends, your ex probably isn’t far behind. If they are with their friends often, you can use them as an early warning system. You also never know if their friends might try to talk to you. If you have mutual friends, however, don’t drop them because of the breakup. They are still your friends, too. If you want to hang out with them, you should talk to them about the situation between you and your ex. You could work something out, like hanging out in a smaller group or with just you and the mutual friend alone.

Sign up for different classes

For next school year, plan and sign up for classes that you think your ex wouldn’t sign up for. Try something new or different. Plus, you might find something that you enjoy or a new hobby that could distract you and help you get over your ex. Get out of your comfort zone and also your ex’s zone.

Move seats

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having an ex in one of your classes or sitting next to you, you can always ask to move seats. Pick a spot on the other side of the room, talk to some new people, and make some new friends. Finding a new group of friends is a great way to help you get over that person.

Friend shield

Grab some friends and arrange them into a circle around you as you navigate the hallways or lunchroom. Nobody unfortunate can spot you in the middle of a crowd. Bonus points if you have tall friends (or if you are short). It’ll be less uncomfortable for you and your ex if you are talking and interacting with your friends instead of both of you walking by each other alone. 

Unfollow

If you can’t avoid them on social media, and their posts keep popping up, it might be time to unfollow them. Unfollowing them can help you from getting constant reminders about them and their life. It’s not rude to unfollow them, especially right after a breakup. 

Wear a ski mask

Ski masks can be purchased on Amazon and are reasonably priced. Your ex can’t possibly tell that it’s you if your entire face is covered. You could be starting a new trend. Perhaps it’s time to invest in one so you can hide and remain unseen.

Unfortunately, you might not be able to totally avoid your ex, and you have to walk past them in a hallway. If you end up in this situation, remember to be respectful, say a quick hello, but try not to give any emotional energy to them. Don’t overthink the interaction by spiraling about how you looked or what they were thinking. In perspective—it’s not the end of the world. The worst-case scenario is that you see them, trip and fall on your face and then get to class and act like nothing happened. 

We hope you found some helpful tips here. How do you avoid your ex? Let us know in the comments.