September 2, 2026

There’s a specific kind of internal shame that comes with returning to an ex you know isn’t good for you, one that everyone in your life knows isn’t good for you. You can hold two completely contradictory thoughts at once: this person will never change and maybe this time will be different. You’ve blocked them, deleted their number, and somehow they’re still in your life. Or worse, you’re the one reaching out, knowing you’ll regret it. If you’ve ever wondered how to stop going back to a toxic ex, you’re not alone, and there are real reasons this cycle is so hard to break.