Breakups suck.
You’re a tangled mess of emotions, and sometimes, all you want to do is blast your ex with everything you’re feeling.
Enter my therapist, bless her calm and collected soul. She suggested I write a letter (or text, because therapists know we live in the digital age) to my ex and then…. BURN IT.
Now, I’m not gonna lie, the idea of a fiery farewell initially appealed to my inner drama queen. But then reality hit. Sending the text? Probably not a good idea.
Besides, who wants to give my ex the satisfaction of a reaction?
So, I grabbed a pen, a book (apparently, therapists prefer pen and paper to emojis), and a lighter (safety first, people).
For the next hour, I wrote down every angry thought, every frustrated sigh, every “HOW COULD YOU?!” that had been simmering inside me.
In a way, it was cathartic, like the weight of it all felt lifted off my shoulders. I wrote things I would never say out loud (mostly because my vocabulary would make my grandma faint).
And then, with a slightly maniacal grin (okay, maybe a lot maniacal), I set the whole thing on fire.
Let me tell you, watching the paper turn to ashes was strangely therapeutic. It was like a symbolic goodbye to all the negativity, a way of letting go of the anger and hurt.
But the truth is, it wasn’t about getting revenge on my ex. It was about taking back control of my emotions and processing the pain in a healthy way.
I needed to say my piece to be at peace.
Mental Matters is a resource and information platform. We do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While the information on our website is for general awareness and support, it should not replace professional advice. For any mental health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare or mental health professional.
Ash Sharma – Consultant Ophthalmologist – Birmingham
Ash The Dietitian Cape Town Sea Point
Life Rosepark Hospital Bloemfontein


