What do you do if you’re in the middle of your healing journey after a breakup, and your ex decides to suddenly send a text?

Sometimes, those texts can completely derail your healing journey. It all depends on how react, what you say back, or if you choose to respond at all. Here are some pointers on how to handle this situation.

Should you respond?

You have to evaluate your individual situation. Will responding to a “happy holidays” text from your ex open the floodgates to drama and heartache?

Is this their way of pulling you back into a vicious cycle of breaking up and making up? If so, DON’T REPLY.

Did you end things on good terms and now consider them someone you can share platonic banter with? If so, replying might not be a big deal.

Consider everything before sending anything back.

What should you say?

If you’re trying to keep things cordial between you and your ex, keep your text short and sweet. Simply say, “Thanks! Happy holidays to you too.”

If you’re still feeling a lot of bitterness and anger against your ex, refrain from sending an ugly message about hoping their holidays are trash. Just don’t say anything at all.

If you don’t care about maintaining a friendly level of respect with your ex, don’t feel pressured to engage by sending anything back.

If you know your ex is deliberately trying to stir something up, just remember that silence is the most powerful move a person can make during a breakup.

Sending paragraphs about your feelings shows them you’re still deeply invested. Silence, on the other hand, showcases your utter indifference – even if you do still care.