Stop talking to your ex as if your relationship hasn’t changed. It has, and no matter what you do it will never be the same.

Stop thinking he’ll change. He won’t, and you shouldn’t want him to. If you need him to change, then he is not the one for you. Accept that, accept him for who he is and move on with that acceptance.

Stop thinking it will work the next time around. If it didn’t work the first time, it will fail for the same or even greater reasons the next.

Stop talking to them because you are lonely or because they are lonely. Learn the difference between being lonely and being alone, but also realize that being alone can be very freeing and good for your soul -- you just have to give yourself the chance to experience it. Your loneliness is coming from your inability to let yourself be alone.

Stop talking to him when you know he’s moved on. This will only cause you more pain and force you to be unable to move on with your own life.

Stop replaying moments in your head if it makes you unhappy. The times you shared with them are not something that you should forget entirely, but you don’t need to replay them day after day after day. You will look back on these moments in a few years and be thankful for them so save them until that time comes.

Stop letting your past control your present. You will miss out on the new opportunities life is trying to give to you. Everything happens for a reason, whether that reason is immediately present or not.

Stop keeping yourself in darkness. Allow yourself to be happy when you feel it and don’t feel guilty for doing so.

Stop relying on his constant reassurance. Stop waiting for his “I miss you” texts to validate your worth because you are worth more than that. Actions speak immensely louder than words.

Now, start letting yourself live for yourself. Be selfish, happy and loving. Give all that you have to give to the people who truly deserve it. Don’t rely on relationships to make yourself feel full. Dance, sing, draw, paint, read, write, flourish. Whatever it is that makes you happy, do it. You will bloom beautifully if you just stop letting him pick all your petals.