Your relationship ended a while ago, but you still have a stack of love letters from your ex, and you just aren’t sure what to do with them. Every breakup is different and every single person deals differently with past relationships, so this is a highly personal decision that only you can make. Here are some of the factors to weigh up while making your decision.
Do you have hopes of getting back together? If there is the slightest glimmer of hope, you may want to hang on to those letters. Just imagine what they might mean to your relationship if you do relight the fire. For the present, just put them safely away, and don’t let them sadden you. If you really think there may be a chance to rekindle the relationship, that is what you need to focus on now rather than the old letters.
Was your breakup amicable? Are you still friends now? If this is the case, the letters have sentimental value and represent a part of your life that still continues but in a different form. Love has turned to friendship, and for some people who couldn’t keep the love relationship alive, the friendship phase might last for decades. Go ahead and keep the letters, you may both enjoy them in the future.
Did you have a horror story style breakup? If you did, I’m surprised you still have those letters! Sometimes there is great catharsis in destroying the letters. Sure, you can just throw them in the trash, but if you are still carrying the pain of this relationship ending, you may want to try something a little more dramatic. Focus all that pain into the letters, and as they are destroyed, by whatever method you choose, let the pain vanish away with the letters. It’s over, it’s done, and you are now free of all the negative emotions you were carrying. For some people this actually works!
Do you have a current, new relationship? If so, finding old love letters from an ex can be a really emotional issue for your new partner. Think about it this way; how would you feel if you stumbled upon a stash of old love letters from your new love’s ex? Jealousy, suspicion and deeply hurt feelings are just a few of the destructive emotions that may spring up when you find them. Get rid of those old letters. You may also want to consider why you have kept them this long. If you simply forgot you had them, than toss them now. If there is more to it than that, you may want to evaluate exactly why you did keep them.
Is there a child from your old relationship? It is over for you and your ex, but there might be a benefit for your child if you keep the letters. Someday, when he/she is older, they might find comfort in reading them. Kids know that an awful lot of relationships don’t survive, but it is nice for them to catch a brief glimpse of how happy their parents were at some point in the past. So, put them safely away for later if you think you may want to share them with your child in the future.
I hope some of the above advice helps you to make a decision. Please feel free to message me should you have other tips you would like me to add.
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