Study: Many people post on social networks to see former partner

Fortunately, if you know yourself, you're not alone. According to a recent survey by the Hint app, most adults still imagine that former partners are pursuing their lives after a split, writes Vice.

The survey found that 74% of respondents had imagined what their ex would think of an important decision in life, while 68% had imagined their former reaction to a personal achievement. Furthermore, 59% had posted something on the internet hoping that their former one would see it, and 52% admitted they had achieved something partly to impress a former.

Although leading life's decisions according to former partners' opinions is not the most healthy way, such behavior is even more harmless than, for example, the ongoing pursuit or prayer for a second chance.

Imaginative Audience

After months or years with someone, it is normal for that person to become a key part of our daily life and decision - making process. Cutting off may cause some sort of addiction symptoms. Our partners become our best friends and our greatest support, so it's natural that we still want to share important moments with them. It's a habit that's not easy to break.

That might explain why 48% of respondents said they imagine their former partner as the first person with whom they share a major achievement, instead of someone from their current life. Imagination often keeps us connected to our former partners, even when we are no longer in touch. In this way, according to the study, we create an imaginary “udience of our former partners, acting like we live for their attention.

In many cases, people are not trying to reconcile with their former partners”, explains Kiril Liak, director of the Hint app. “In fact, they are trying to portray themselves in a new light for the person who once had emotional authority over them.”

The Role of Social Networking

Social media don't make things easier. To keep looking at the life of your ex/ish promotes curiosity and creates a false sense of attachment that may no longer exist. According to the survey, 61% of respondents believe that social media make final emotional separation from your ex more difficult.

<x) A former partner can disappear from someone's daily life and remain a measure by which one judges its differences. ”

This is especially evident on platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat, which make it easy to follow your ex-partners or post the content specifically for them. Let's be honest: How many times have you shared a picture from a date, a sex secret or news story of success, secretly hoping that your ex would notice? It may not have been the only reason for the post, but it was certainly an additional incentive.

Many of us will not admit that we have done so, and some may be unaware of our motives. While there may be those who are elevated to such conduct, it is human to desire the attention of someone who was once the center of our world. The key, however, is not to let your life be governed only by following someone who is no longer part of it.