Struggling to move on? Cob webbing is the post-breakup reset you didn’t know you needed

Breakups have us doing the of silliest things, be it rereading the old texts, replaying your "couple playlist," or stalking their Instagram at 2 am, hoping for them to come back into your life. We've all been there—moving on just feels like an uphill struggle. It's as if your brain won't cooperate and is serving you a highlight reel of your ex when all you want to do is forget. It is far from easy to break free from those emotional cobwebs; it’s messy, painful, and, quite frankly, sometimes it feels like it will never end.

Enter cob webbing—the breakup reset trend that's all about cutting ties with anything that keeps you stuck in the past. Think of it like Marie Kondo-ing your emotional life, but instead of only clearing out physical clutter, you are letting go of old habits, memories, and objects that keep you from moving on. 

With the cuffing season in full swing, relationships (and their inevitable breakups) are a hot topic. Cob webbing—taken from the idea of clearing cobwebs in both your space and your mind—is a trend that allows you to let go of the emotional and physical remnants of a past relationship. It could be anything from getting rid of the sweatshirt they "accidentally" left behind to deleting old photos, or even swapping out that mutual coffee shop for a new one. It’s all about creating a clean slate. It's not about forgetting your ex; it's about taking your life, space, and emotional energy back.

The word's caught on among those who have been desperate for a new term to describe this painful process of moving on. Rather than drowning in your sorrows or desperately clinging to the past, cob webbing is about facing the relics of your relationship and making an active decision to let them go. It's not about quick fixes that are going to disappear in a while; every little thing you do differently allows meaningful actions to change your perspective on life, with none of that shadow over you anymore.

Now that you know what cob webbing is, the big question is: How do you actually start?

Get rid of anything that reminds you of your ex

The first thing you should do when cob webbing is tackle the physical clutter that’s tied to your ex. Start by collecting items they left behind like clothes, books, or even little trinkets that remind you of them. Sure, it might feel strange to part with something that once felt significant, but keeping these items around only prolongs the healing process. Remember that scene from Jab We Met when Geet asks Aditya to burn the picture of his ex? Sometimes, it's as simple as taking the first step to truly let go—get rid of anything that serves as an emotional anchor. Donate, sell, or toss anything no longer serving your emotional self. You will feel lighter once it's gone.

Clean up your digital space

If you’ve ever heard of the Date Yourself Instead podcast by Lyss Boss, one of the most important things she’ll advise you to do is follow the “no contact” rule. It’s simple: out of sight, out of mind. When it comes to post-breakup healing, that means blocking, unfollowing, or muting your ex on social media. The temptation to check their feed or revisit old conversations is real, but all it does is keep you stuck in the past. By putting those reminders out of sight, you allow yourself the space to heal without constantly being triggered.

Change your environment 

Your surroundings are filled with traces of your relationship, so it’s time to shake things up. Start small—switch the furniture around or rearrange your bedroom. If you spend a lot of time at the same cafes or watching certain TV shows together, try finding new spots or exploring new hobbies. Doing this helps signal to your brain that you are stepping into a new chapter. By actively changing your environment, you're telling yourself that it's time to move forward, not backwards.

Create new routines for yourself

Part of cob webbing is letting go of the habits and routines that are still tethered to your ex. Did you always call them after work? Or go for long walks together on Sunday mornings? Start building new routines that are just for you. Whether it’s waking up earlier for some "me-time," signing up for a class you’ve always wanted to try, or simply dedicating more time to self-care, these little changes help reshape your life around your happiness, not the past.

Finally, declutter your emotional space 

Emotional decluttering is a big part of cob webbing. It’s about confronting those lingering feelings and actively choosing to let go. Try journaling about what you’re feeling, but instead of wallowing, focus on the lessons you’ve learned from the relationship. Ask yourself what you’ve gained from it and how you can use that wisdom to grow stronger. This step is all about acknowledging your feelings and then freeing yourself from being tied to them.

Lead image credit: Pexels

Also read: Here's how to navigate cuffing season as a single person

Also read: How to have a holiday fling with a stranger without breaking your heart