What to do when you see an ex for the first time after breakup
Psychologist Dr. Anna Tuazon shared her advice on what people can do when they see their ex after a breakup for the first time.
In her interview on Surprise Guest with Pia Arcangel, Dr. Anna said that it depends on the context.
"Kung wala na talaga sayo, and you know you can control yourself... manage your emotions, hindi ka kinakabahan. And then, nagkakitaan na kayo, parang too late to back out... say hi. And then, move on. Huwag na. Kung talagang hindi naman siya in your life, huwag ka na mangamusta... No need to update," she said.
Dr. Anna then underscored what "spontaneous recovery" is and how seeing your ex could make you experience it.
"Not so much behavior or what to do. Pero kung nakita mo tas na-realize mo. Bakit gumaganun 'yung puso ko? Bakit ako kinakabahan? A lot of people mistake that na, ay, baka gusto ko pa siya. Baka gusto ko makipagbalikan. Kasi bakit may feelings ako nung nakita ko siya? Ang tawag natin dyan sa psychology, spontaneous recovery of feeling," she said.
The expert said that it's a "phantom emotion."
"Hindi ibig sabihin may gusto ka pa rin, may feelings ka pa rin. Hindi nga ibig sabihin na hindi ka pa naka-move on just because you feel something, especially when you haven't seen them in a long time," Dr. Anna explained.
She continued that there could still be spontaneous recovery when meeting for the first time even when the love is already "extinguished."
"It's normal. I wanna normalize it for people. It doesn't mean anything. Huwag niyong basahin pa siya. Don't read into it too much. Shake it off," Dr. Anna added.
Dr. Anna Tuazon is also the host of GMA Integrated News's podcast, Share Ko Lang.
