It’s always sad when a relationship ends, but sometimes people react to breakups in strange ways. One thing that some people do is deface photos of their ex-partner.
They might scratch out their face, rip them in half, or write nasty things on them. There are a few possible reasons why someone might do this. So read on and find a few common causes for this.
5 Reasons why someone defaces photos of an ex:
1- They’re letting out their anger toward that ex:
First, it could be a way of expressing their anger and hurt. They might feel like their ex betrayed them, and this is their way of getting revenge.
When a relationship ends, it can be tough to let go. Even if you were the one who initiated the split, it’s common to feel angry, hurt, and betrayed. Defacing photos of your ex is one way to lash out and express those feelings.
It can be satisfying to see their face scratched out or crossed out with a big X. For some people, it’s a way of taking back control after feeling like they’ve been used and mistreated.
2- A way to erase their ex from their life:
Second, it could be a way of trying to erase their ex from their life. If they can’t stand to look at the photos, they might think that destroying them will help them to forget about the relationship.
Defacing photos may also be a way of trying to erase the happy memories of the relationship and prevent yourself from getting nostalgic and wanting to get back together.
Whatever the reason, defacing photos after a breakup is a destructive act that won’t do anything to help you heal and move on. But, it is true that you’re better off helping yourself forget how your ex’s face looked than staying hung up on them.
3- They’re confirming that the breakup is permanent:
A third possible reason for defacing photos with an ex after a break-up, is that it could be a way of making sure that their ex knows that the relationship is really over.
Maybe, they’re hoping that their ex will come across these pictures somehow and sees what has been done to them. If they do, then it should send a clear message about how final the break-up is and how much hatred that person has for an ex that hurt them so much.
By defacing the photos, they’re sending a message that there’s no going back. Not only are they sending this message to their ex in case they see the photos but it’s also a reminder for themselves not to get weak and consider giving them a second chance.
Again, no matter what the reason, defacing photos after a breakup is always a bad idea. It’s childish and immature, and it won’t do anything to help anyone move on from the relationship. in fact if the ex comes across the defaced photos they could take it as a personal attack on them and want to retaliate.
4- They want to get rid of any reminders of their time with their ex:
If you’ve ever gone through a breakup, you know how tough it can be to see reminders of your former partner everywhere you look. Photos are a particularly difficult reminder since they capture a moment in time that can never be regained.
But, still, it can be remembered vividly with the help of a photograph that immortalized your facial expressions and says a lot about the emotions you were going through back then. This is why for some people, the pain of seeing these happy memories is too much to bear, and they lash out by defacing the photos. This might involve tearing them up, scribbling on them, or even burning them.
While it might seem like a petty act of spite, for some people, it’s a way of dealing with the pain of loss. By destroying the images, they’re able to move on from the past and start to create new memories.
5- They’re making a statement that the ex is not worth it:
In the end, after a breakup, it’s not uncommon to want to delete all traces of your former partner from your life. This can extend to things like untagging yourself from their photos on social media too. In some cases, defacing photos is simply a way of trying to move on and forget the past.
But in others, it may be motivated by a desire to explain how much that person is undeserving of everything you did for them and how unworthy they are. By vandalizing their photos, you’re making a statement that they’re no longer yours, no longer worth it and that they’re not even worth keeping around.
Yes, it can be tempting to want to tear your ex’s photos into pieces or set them on fire after a break-up. But, before you act on your impulse next time, consider this: if your ex is not worth your time or your energy then why bother?
If you truly think they’re an ungrateful person who doesn’t deserve anything from you. So why bother defacing their photos or spending more of your precious time and youth on them? It’s not going to make you feel any better, and it’s only going to give them the satisfaction of knowing they got under your skin if they come across the defaced pictures.
In the end, you can check this article out to learn to better manage the anger that you feel you’ve accumulated and developed for an ex.