SHE SAID : When should you un-friend your ex on Facebook?

Facebook is an outlet that engages our always active and curious minds. We love knowing things about people we don't know. It is easy to feel like you know someone when you are able to see photos of them and read journal-like status updates. Newer features on Facebook even allow you to see where they are, pinpointed on a map. 

Have you ever found yourself "Facebook creeping" on a mutual friend of a friend of a friend, working your way all the way back to their very first Facebook photo? I know I have. If we are willing to investigate into the interconnections, conversations, and lives of people we don't even know, what can we say about exes? Where do you draw the line between curiosity and stalking?

I don't think it's healthy to constantly patrol an ex's Facebook page. What good ever comes from it? The only real results are jealousy, resentment, and an underlying force that makes you secretly hope he is unhappy. In reality, you are probably going to see him having fun, enjoying himself, and meeting new people. Life does not end with a break-up and that truth will be effervescently displayed throughout your ex's status updates, photo albums, and wall-to-wall comments.

I am not saying that you can't be on good terms with your ex. That is perfectly healthy. But what good comes out of stalking an ex on Facebook? You are given constant reminders of your ex in your newsfeed and seeing his or her thumbnail photo on Facebook chat will just drive you nuts! There are so many things that are going to trigger stress and anxiety, which is definitely not setting you on the right track to a healthy breakup.

So, when should you un-friend an ex on Facebook? Immediately. This will automatically eliminate the temptation to peak at his or her Facebook profile or check out mutual friends for updates. If you don't feel comfortable deleting your ex right off the bat, here is a list of some warning signs that will let you know that you need to hit that "unfriend" button:

•  You find yourself typing his or her name into the Facebook search bar every single time you log on. Red flag.

• You find yourself rereading the same wall posts and comments or flipping through the same Facebook albums displaying your past relationship. Red flag.

•  You patrol through your ex's Facebook page looking for flirty comments from other girls. Red flag.

•  You get stressed out every time you see his name pop up on your news feed. GIANT RED FLAG. 

You definitely do not want anything after a break-up to be causing you stress and anxiety -- especially with something so preventable.

That's it. Time to "unfriend" and move forward. Don't let your pride get in the way of taking this step. You are inhibiting yourself from moving forward by looking back on the past everyday. Do yourself the favor. Do what is best for you in the long run. It's a hard thing, but pressing that "unfriend" button is opening a whole new chapter for your life called: "I am just fine without you."