I really want to stay away from my ex boyfriend this time. We've been together for about 5 years but these day we constantly argue over meaningless things. Just from the beginning of the year to now, we've broken up at least a dozen times. The way my ex works is if I don't contact him (and he tries the same), it takes him sometimes a few days or sometimes a few weeks to realize that he made a mistake and then he contacts me. I'm really tired of this because I know I am a great girlfriend to him and I'm tired of feeling like this; I'm drained. Although I know he'll eventually contact me, every time feels like the last time and every time I start to panic like "oh my goodness, I think it's really over this time". As I said I'm really tired of all of this but still I find it so hard to resist the urge to contact him. So I really have 2 questions... how can I resist the urge to contact him without it consuming my mind? And... when he finally does contact me how can I stay strong enough to not take him back? It's extremely hard because I really love him and I know he really loves me but unfortunately we just can't seem to get along anymore.

1. The one part is easy, if he "tries" to contact you, don't talk to him, don't open any emails from him, don't answer if he calls, if he calls from a number you don't know as soon as it is him, hang up. Don't read any text from him, just delete it.

Get activies, do things and keep busy to forget about him, make a list of all the things he did to make you mad to remember why he is and should be gone out of your life.

Unfortunately I'm going through the same dilemma with my ex who I was with for 7 years. Were you able to stay away from your ex?

It's up to you to break the cycle. I know it's really difficult. I've been in your position before too and kept going back.

The best way to end this rollercoaster of a relationship is to tell him that he is never welcome to contact you again. That way you'll be the one to put a stop to it. If he has any self-respect he won't try to get in touch with you. Plus, it will force you to remain silent. I mean hey you can't exactly shoot someone a text after you tell them never to contact you again.

You'll probably do a lot of grieving once it's over for good but you'll be happier in the long run. This kind of situation sucks the life out of you so initially it will sting but after a few weeks or a couple months you'll feel excited to get up in the morning and live your life drama free.