How Facebook's New Features Make Your Life Easier

There are three things in this world that are certain: Death, taxes...and the fact that getting over a breakup sucks. In an increasingly digital age (not that I'm complaining), it can be hard to untangle yourself from your ex online, but luckily, Facebook's new update will make breakups easy (or easier, at least).

While certainly not everyone becomes "Facebook official" with their S.O., those that do update their relationship status know how awkward it can be to go from "in a relationship" to "single" overnight. No one wants to deal with pity comments and reactions like "OMG what happened?" or see their ex's name pop up when they least expect it on their newsfeed. But alas, breakups happen every day. With the new Facebook features, however, you can start the process of moving on with as little headache and heartache as possible (though they're currently only available on the mobile version of the U.S. site).

Sure, it may not really solve all your ex-related problems, but it's nice to know that the good people of Facebook are at least trying to make things a little less painful for you post-split. Here are four ways Facebook's new features will help you move on from your ex, and hopefully put you on the path to finding someone new (eventually).

1. It Makes It Easier To Stay (Virtual) Friends

To unfriend or not to unfriend? That is the question plaguing many people who just went through a breakup. On the one hand, you're probably hurt and angry, and want nothing more than to block your ex and never look back. But if there's a small voice in the back of your mind that's either A) hoping for a reconciliation or B) morbidly curious about what your ex is up to, it's understandable that you might be reluctant to unfriend your ex. Plus, studies have shown that people stalk their exes as a coping mechanism, so if that's what you need to do to start healing, then more power to you. Besides, every breakup has different circumstances, and not everyone wants to estrange themselves from their ex post-breakup — it's nice that Facebook acknowledges this.

2. You Can Scroll Without Fear

Let's say you do decide to stay friends, because you're the kind of person who, like me, doesn't like to burn bridges unless absolutely necessary. It's nice to have the option to see what your ex is up to, but if you're really trying to move on, it's not healthy to constantly see their posts — it's like a repeated stab to the heart. Now, you can feel safe while browsing through your feed, knowing that Facebook is doing everything in its power to limit how much of your ex's posts, photos, and videos you see.

3. You Can Focus On Friends Who Matter

Facebook might be too savvy for its own good, because with its automatic "tag so-and-so in this" suggestions, things can get a bit awkward. But with the new update, Facebook will try to stop suggesting your ex, so you can check in at your favorite sushi place with your BFF without the sad reminder that your ex is not there with you, too. This is an important development, because it'll affect your offline healing: If you're not reminded of your ex while you're trying to tag your friends in things, you can breathe a little easier when you're out having fun.

4. You'll Have More Time To Do What You Love

Is there anything worse than being freshly dumped and, through your tears, attempting to go through and untag yourself from any post or photo that might contain happy memories? Well with its latest update, Facebook is trying to help make that process easier: When you change your status to single again, you'll have the option to immediately untag yourself from things involving your ex. You can use the substantial amount of time you would have spent untagging and, instead, go do something that makes you happy, whether that's shopping, hiking, or watching a guilty pleasure show.

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