Avoid trying to hide or pretend that your ex doesn’t see you. If you both made eye contact, then your ex has seen you. If your ex hasn’t spotted you yet, it’s okay to duck out of sight to collect yourself. Consider acknowledging the awkwardness of the situation to lighten the mood. It’s okay to say, “Well, this is awkward,” or, “Fancy meeting you here. "
If you’re feeling very anxious and flustered, and your ex hasn’t made their way over to you, it’s okay to just head the other way and avoid the encounter.
Don’t send mixed signals by being overly friendly. This is not a time to flirt with your ex if the meeting is out of nowhere and unexpected. Smile and be polite. Act like you are open to conversation. But if the conversation drags on and becomes too awkward, then consider ways to end the conversation. Consider saying, “It was good to run into you. Nice to chat with you. I’m sorry but I need to get going. I hope you have a good rest of the day. "
After a break-up, try to view your ex as a friend from your past that you’ve grown apart from. You wouldn’t be nervous or shy in front of an old friend, right? If you still have feelings for your ex, that’s okay! This is a great opportunity to prove that you’re mature, confident, and easy to be around.
It’s okay to talk about what you’re up to, but don’t try to put your ex down in the process.
Take the high road and be polite. As tempting as it may be to go for that new partner’s throat, you’ll land a much better impression if you keep it cool as a cucumber. Be willing to say hello and shake the hand of your ex’s new partner. Consider saying, “It’s nice to meet you. " You don’t need to say much more.
You could also say something like, “It was nice seeing you, but I need to head to my class,” or, “I’m on my way to another event. Please excuse me and have a good evening!”
For example, let’s say you’re at a friend’s party, and your ex shows up unexpectedly. Avoid trying to act differently just because your ex is there. Try to talk with your ex and show that you accept them there. Don’t focus on making yourself more attractive for your ex after you run into them. Be your normal and honest self in that moment.
Consider topics such as any current hobbies or travels, a funny anecdote about something that happened recently, your studies, your work, or things you’ve been watching such as sports or TV shows.
For instance, if your ex asks whether you’re seeing someone new or how things are going with your partner, you can say, “Oh, that’s nice of you to ask, but I’m not comfortable talking about my current relationship. "
Think about what you might say. Remember to keep it brief and respectful. Consider how you might respond to certain questions, such as, “Are you seeing anyone new?” or “What have you been doing since we last saw each other?” Think about what you need to do to remain calm. If you know this encounter may be anxiety-provoking, have a friend or person to talk with after you meet you ex unexpectedly.
If you need to vent about your ex, do so with people who don’t know them. Consider talking with people who already were good friends with you well before your ex was in the picture.
Take care of yourself, and focus on self-love. Do things that make you feel better about life after your ex, and help you to focus on the future. Consider talking with a counselor for an outsider’s perspective. If you become very anxious and overwhelmed in these unexpected moments, a counselor can help to teach you about healthy coping skills. Talk with your friends and family. Strengthen your support system when you’re feeling vulnerable, such as these unexpected moments with your ex. Keep the people who care about you close.
This break accomplishes two things. First, it gives your ex time to see how well you’re doing and remember the good times. Second, it helps you get some perspective to ensure you’re ready to move on.
