It's possible to ignore someone you really care about during a conflict or after a break up.If you love someone, ignoring them can be difficult.If you see this person in public, set boundaries, and take steps to avoid them.It is more difficult to ignore someone you live with, but you can still create distance.It is possible to reduce the temptation to talk to someone after a fight or a break up.
Step 1: If you can, avoid places that they are likely to visit.
Don't go to their favorite restaurants and stores, as well as their workplace.They'll be easier to ignore if you don't cross their path.Try out new things.If you work or go to school together, you may not be able to avoid them.If that's the case, switch up your routine so you don't cross paths as often.You can take a different hallway to get to class or go to your locker during different periods.
Step 2: If you see them, use closed body language and avoid eye contact.
Averting your eyes means you don't want to talk.It can make them think you don't see them.Keeping your chin down and looking away from them will make you look unapproachable.To shut them out, cross your arms across your body.Cross your legs if you're sitting down.Stay focused on where you're going and keep your eyes open.Look down or away if they are right in front of you.Pretend to check your phone.You can either look angry or frown.You're not in the mood to talk.
Step 3: To avoid an interaction, act busy or listen to music.
Pull out your homework or client file if you want to review it one last time, or check your phone and act like you've just seen an important message.Listening to music while walking the halls or working will help you minimize your interactions with everyone.Start a conversation with someone you know.You will have a reason to ignore them if you are busy with something else.Don't play music if you find it distracts you at work.They'll never know you're just wearing earbuds.While at school, pretend to use your phone or check your homework.Take notes if you're in class.You should stay out of the break room as much as you can at work.
Step 4: If you can, walk away from them.
Put some distance between you when you run into them.Depending on what's most comfortable for you, cross the room, move to another location or leave.You might go to the bathroom at school.Start a conversation with someone else if you're in an after school club with the person.You can wait until just before the meeting starts to enter the classroom.Discuss work issues in a coworker's cubicle or office if you're at work.
Step 5: If they try to talk to you, you should treat them with formality.
This makes you appear immature if you ignore them.Speak calmly and respectfully to them.Excuse yourself from the situation if you say as little as possible.Keep your tone neutral by giving them the shortest response possible.You could say, "I am not sure what I am doing this weekend, but I need to get to class."
Step 6: If you sit near them, switch seats or find a new workspace.
Ask your teacher if you can change seats.It's a good idea to sit near someone you know so that you can pretend you're sitting with them.If you want to create more privacy at work, you can move to a new cubicle, desk, or office.At school, you might say to your teacher, "I'm having trouble concentrating on my work."Can I get closer to the front of the room?Try to create a barrier between you if you can't switch seats.You can act as a divider by putting a folder between your desks.You should keep your supplies on the side of your desk.If you can't move workspace, put up a bulletin board, calendar, or poster that blocks them out.
Step 7: If you eat lunch together, go somewhere different.
Lunch can become awkward if you eat at the same table.Changing your routine will make it easier to ignore them.Ask your friends to act as a buffer if you have to eat lunch with them.Ask if you can eat lunch outside in the cafeteria.You could eat your lunch and hang out in the library at the same time.If you don't eat lunch in the breakroom, you can eat in your car or cubicle.
Step 8: Talk less at events hosted by friends and family.
It's likely that you'll both be on the guest list for parties and holidays if you ignore a friend or relative.Pretending you don't hear them is passive aggressive if they speak to you.You don't have to have long conversations with them.You can talk to your friends or relatives.If necessary, ask your friends or relatives to act as a buffer between you and the person you're ignoring.I know she'll be at Thanksgiving, so I'm trying to spend time away from her.If she starts talking to me, will you give me a reason to leave?It's okay to decline an invitation to an event you know the person will attend if you feel like you can't be around them.The host doesn't feel like they have to choose between you and the person you're ignoring when planning events if you keep your reason to yourself.
Step 9: You should surround yourself with supportive friends.
You might see the person at events like little league games or religious services.If you know you will be bumping into them, ask your partner or best friend to go with you.They can make it harder for the person to talk to you at an event.It's easier to ignore someone if you have someone with you.You will seem less personable if you are involved with someone else.
Step 10: You can spend more time in your room.
Relax in your own room, eat your meals, and watch your favorite shows.They can either install a lock or not.Use your time to do things that are important to you, such as study, engage in hobbies, or read.If you share a room with someone you're trying to ignore, look for a spot where you can hang out.You can spend time in the garage, on the porch, or under the window.It is possible to spend more time outdoors, at a friend's house, or hanging out in places you enjoy.
Step 11: Don't let them in while you're in shared spaces.
You could use your phone or laptop to listen to music or watch shows.You can't hear them talking to you while you're wearing earbuds.The earbuds give you a reason to ignore them.You could try noise-cancelling ear plugs.Use your ear plugs to work in peace when you grab a book, magazine, or homework.
Step 12: To the point, keep necessary conversations short and unemotional.
You'll need to talk to them when you live together.Give short, simple answers.Even if they've upset you, don't show any emotion.If you want the conversation to end quickly, give a polite response and move on.You could say, "Today was good, but I need to study."
Step 13: If you can, take a few days off from home.
If you're in the middle of a fight with a parent, partner, roommate, or sibling, staying with someone else for a few days can give you time to cool off.If you aren't around them all day, it's easier to ignore them.Stay with a friend or relative until you are ready to talk to the person again.Before you leave home, make sure you have permission from your parent or guardian."I need some space right now to deal with my feelings after our argument last Saturday," you might say to your parent or guardian.Can I stay with my grandma this weekend?
Step 14: Blocks them on social media.
If you can see everything they're doing on social media, it's even harder to ignore someone you love.Keeping up with their current status will make things harder for you, whether it's an ex or crush posting pictures with a new partner or a friend going out without you.If the temptation is too much, click unfollow so you don't see their stories.For a few days, you could try a social media cleanse.You won't see their stories if you're not accessing your feed.
Step 15: If you're tempted to send a text, block their number in your phone.
If you're used to texting them, it can be hard to ignore an ex or crush.It can be difficult to ignore texts from a toxic relative.Communication with them will hurt you.Even if you block their number, do what you have to to avoid sending that text.If you don't want to block them, you can change their name on your phone to something similar.You could write their number down on paper and then wipe it from your phone.It will be harder for you to call or text them if you keep the number.
Step 16: Don't be tempted to contact them, keep yourself busy.
You can start filling your day with activities that will help you reach your goals.Try new things, take a class to learn a new skill, or engage in a hobby.It won't be hard to ignore someone when you have a lot of important things in your life.Learning to play an instrument, drawing, or knitting is a new hobby.People are auditioning for community theater.Sell a product.There are many coffee shops in your area.You can take a class at your local school, library, or community center.You can find free courses at major institutions.
Step 17: The focus should be on building your other relationships.
Friends and relatives are positive influences in your life and you should spend more time with them.Experiencing healthy relationships can help you remember why you ignore this person.Make plans to reach out to other people.If you have a bad experience with a loved one, don't cut yourself off.If you want to meet people who share your interests, use a site like meetup.com.You could start a new club if you're still in school.