5 Reasons You Should Be Thankful for Your Ex, Even If You Hate Them
Ariana Grande said it best when she sang, "I'm so … grateful for my ex."
Grateful might seem like quite the generous term to use when describing an ex, especially one who royally messed with your head. However, we can all find reasons to be thankful for our past loves. They helped us grow as people (even if not in the conventional ways we hoped).
Whether you had an amicable end to the relationship or one that rivaled a war, we guarantee you'll agree with these five reasons why you should be thankful for your ex (seriously, even if you hate them).
1. You Made Good Memories Together
You wouldn't have started dating your ex in the first place if you thought they were a bad person. Think back to the happy days of your relationship—even though it's in the past, they were able to provide you with some beautiful memories. You probably shared a lot of laughs and camaraderie with one another, so don't let all the bad stuff cloud the good stuff.
2. They Introduced You to New People
Chances are, your ex had a social network of their own and introduced you to some new faces. Some of them might even be close friends of yours to this day, and that's something that should make you thankful. By expanding your friend group, they were also able to help expand your horizons. Meeting people from various backgrounds who share different beliefs than you, will only help you grow and mature.
3. They Broke Your Heart and You Survived
Getting your heart broken by someone you once bared your heart and soul to is a gut-wrenching feeling. You may have even thought you'd spend the rest of your life with this person, but in the end, it didn't work out. However it ended between you two, heartache certainly ensued. But you know what? You're alive—you survived. The experience made you stronger and more capable of overcoming adversities. You now know what that painful sting feels like, and will hopefully be able to deal with it easier the next time around.
4. You Learned What You Don't Want Out of a Relationship
You know those things your ex used to do that used to drive you absolutely bonkers? Maybe they were a little too friendly with your peers. Perhaps they were too jealous. Whatever it was that they did, it allowed you to realize what you don't want out of a relationship. They played a small role in you discovering your worth. Hopefully this split has pushed you to realize you should never settle for anything less than you deserve.
5. They Brought You One Step Closer to Finding the Person You're Ultimately Meant to Be With
Despite the hostile feelings you might hold for your ex, they were in your life for a reason. Through all the ups and downs of your relationship, in the end, you grew together, and eventually grew apart. And that's okay. It's okay to move on, get bored, not be happy or change your mind. Your ex was there through it all, and now that you're no longer a unit and, you're just one step closer to finding your forever person because you'll be able to weed out what you don't want. You can now take a little me-time and be happy with your own company.
In need of some more relationship advice? Click HERE for the low-key ways you might be annoying your partner.