

How To Move Forward When He Lets Go But You're Still Holding On
He's still in my dreams. Why do I still have dreams about him? I remember confiding to one of my friends about how my situationship that had ended. The truth was, not only was he in my dreams, but I thought about him often.
Why was it so hard for me to move on? Granted, I obsessed over why we didn't end up together. I wondered why the situationship that had once seemed so promising, didn't formulate into a real relationship. Why couldn't I get him off my mind?
Sometimes we get so caught up in wondering what we may have done wrong, we fail to see that the man we were so head over heels for was not the right person for us. If you're still holding on to a man that is simply not holding on to you, here's your sign sis, let him go. Here's how:
Stop Stalking Him
I know, I know. It's easier said than done. But riddle me this, how are you ever going to get over him if you are constantly trying to keep up with what he is doing?
The things we see, especially before bed, manifest themselves into our dreams. If you're stalking his IG, Facebook, Twitter, reading old messages, or looking at his pics before you fall asleep, of course he's going to pop up in your dreams. Some might find it a bit much to block him, but regardless of what he or anyone else thinks, you need to stop looking at his social media. And if that means blocking, welp, hit that button girl and move on.
Let's say you don't go through his social media, but he still is constantly the topic of all of your conversations. It's time to stop talking about him.
With each mention of his name in each conversation, you are only going to manifest him into your thoughts even more. Instead, spend your time talking about things that actually matter. Discuss your goals with your girls and write them out. Spend your extra time actually working towards your overall goals in life.
Becoming a better you is way more satisfying than worrying about someone who is not worrying about you.
Realize That He Just Wasn't The One
This is a very hard pill to dry swallow on an empty stomach.
Yes, it felt like you were meant to be together at times. Yes, you shared things with him. Yes, you loved him. But you were never really one. And he wasn't either.
Yes, it hurts like hell still, but acknowledging this should grant you some peace. You simply dated a man that you are no longer dating. Don't continuously punish yourself over a man who did not see all of your value and beauty; it is counterproductive to you ever moving on. Find peace in the fact that aside from emotional wounds, you are unbound to him, and free to move on to someone who sees your worth.
Reclaim Your Self-Worth And Eliminate Negative Self-Talk
When we've been hurt, we feel worthless. We do this to ourselves, and we allow other people to do it and replay these same hurtful agreements in our minds until it becomes tied to us and our own DNA.
If I was in better shape he wouldn't have left. If I was more outgoing he would have found me more interesting. If I dressed sexier, I probably could have kept his attention. If I had sex with him, he probably would still be here.
Whatever your "What if?" is, you have to let it go. There are men that will love you at your smallest and biggest. There are men that will love your quirky personality just the way it is. There is someone that will love everything about the way you dress, and be willing to wait until you are ready to be intimate.
So break those agreements you have with yourself immediately. There is someone out there who will love and accept you flaws in all. Your perceived flaws are not the problem, it's your sense of self-worth.
Nobody's perfect, but when you learn to see beauty in your imperfections, you truly win.
Everything, and I do mean everything, happens for a reason. Ultimately, if it's meant to be, you will find your way back together. My husband and I broke up in our early twenties, dated other people, and lived in two different states, but still found our way back to each other and will soon be celebrating our first year of marriage.
So if this guy is as great as you thought he was, then perhaps you will find your way back together. In the meantime, continue loving yourself, living your best life, and improving on yourself.
It is so much easier to navigate through the dating world when you know your self-worth, just remember to add tax.
Featured image by Shutterstock
Ashley Renee is a soul food enthusiast, sometimes vegetarian, writer and spoken word poet, who doesn't trust boxed macaroni or cats. keep up with her @ashleyreneepoet on Twitter & Instagram.
Black women are not a monolith. We all are deserving of healing and wholeness despite what we've been through, how much money we have in the bank, or what we look like. Most importantly, we are enough—even when we are not working, earning, or serving.
Welcome to Black Girl Whole, your space to find the wellness routine that aligns with you! This brand-new marketplace by xoNecole is a safe space for Black women to activate their healing, find the inspiration to rest, and receive reassurance that we are one small act away from finding our happiness.
Want to discover where you are on your wellness journey? You don't have to look far. In partnership with European Wax Center, we're bringing you a customized wellness quiz to help you up your wellness game. Answer our short series of questions to figure out which type of wellness lover you are, what you need to bring more balance into your life, and then go deeper by shopping products geared towards clearing your mind, healing your body, and soothing your spirit.
Ready to get whole? Take our quiz now!
Everything Kerry Washington Has Said About Her Husband Nnamdi Asomugha
Actress Kerry Washington and her relationship with her husband, actor Nnamdi Asomugha, is the perfect example of a winning team.
The pair became an item following a chance encounter in 2009, and many years later, on June 24, 2013, Washington and Asomugha would secretly tie the knot. Since then, the high-profile couple has expanded their blended family by welcoming two children, a daughter Isabelle Asomugha, 8, and a 6-year-old son Caleb Asomugha. Asomugha also has a daughter from a previous relationship.
Despite Washington and Asomugha choosing to live a relatively private life for the most part by not sharing images of their family on social media and occasionally attending events together. The rare glimpses they provide to the public showcase that Washington and Asomugha have much in common regarding essential topics.
For example, Washington is highly involved in politics and encourages others to participate by spreading information about various issues and how everyone would be affected.
As for Asomugha, the 41-year-old officially founded the Asomugha Foundation in 2010, years after doing other charity work in Nigeria. According to its site, the organization was created to help "disadvantaged youth and women by providing educational opportunities and mentorship."
Washington's public remarks regarding her relationship with Asomugha and their family may be rare, but when she does speak about their family, it's all positive.
Kerry On Why She Keeps Her Relationship Private
Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Bronx Children's Museum
In March 2016, the UnPrisioned actress revealed during a discussion panel at SXSW Festival that one of the reasons why she is adamant about remaining private about her union with Asomugha is because she doesn't want the public to make any narratives regarding her marriage.
At the time, it was reported that Washington and the former NFL player were experiencing marital troubles and were allegedly planning on getting a divorce. Washington would shut down those allegations by saying she hasn't and will not share any information about her private life.
"Social media has actually been great for [other celebrities'] relationships with the weeklies or the gossip sites because people say things and they say, 'That's not true!' So I'm thinking in some ways, it's been great because people are able to maintain their voice," she explained.
"It's a little different for me because I don't talk about my personal life. That means not only did I not tell you when I was getting married, it also means if somebody has rumors about what's going on in my marriage, I don't refute them, because I don't talk about my personal life."
Kerry On How She Met Nnamdi And What A Normal Day Looks Like for Their Family
Fast forward to October 2018, the Scandal star gave insight into how she met Asomugha and their family life. During an interview with Marie Claire, Washington shared that she and Asomugha met in 2009 while she was working on the Broadway play Race.
The mother of two told the publication that her life has "completely transformed" since their encounter. "The last time I did theater, it completely transformed my life. That's where I met my husband. I love being with my family. My days off look like homework, reading, and watching stuff. Just hanging out, doing things we love to do," she stated.
Kerry On Nnamdi's Accomplishment
Photo by Jeffrey Camarati/Getty Images
But as time progressed, Washington began speaking a little more openly about her man. In October 2022, Washington gushed over Asomugha and his Netflix project, The Good Nurse, which came out around the same time her film, The School for Good and Evil, was released. While talking to Entertainment Tonight, the star expressed how "proud" she was of her husband.
"I'm really proud of him, I think he's doing amazing work. I'm really excited for his film, The Good Nurse," she said. "It's really exciting to both have really important films at Netflix right now, we feel really blessed.”
Kerry On Why Nnamdi Is Her Soulmate
Washington shared how her love with Asomugha goes beyond the surface after spending over a decade together.
In a March 2023 interview with Marie Claire, Washington explained that she and Asomugha are perfectly aligned because she's allowed to be her authentic self with him.
"I'm in my immediate truth with [him]," Washington said. "Those mirrors are important because they help me get back to myself."
Kerry On The Couple's Upcoming 10-Year Wedding Anniversary
Photo by Bruce Glikas/Getty Images
That same month, Washington expressed that in addition to the many years the couple has been together, and their personal and professional accomplishments, she still finds Asomugha "incredible."
Washington shared this revelation while promoting her latest project, UnPrisioned, in an Entertainment Tonight interview.
"I do have an incredible husband," the actress told ET host Kevin Frazier as she disclosed little to no details about their upcoming plans for their tenth wedding anniversary. "Do you remember how secret my wedding was? How private and secretive it was? That's how the anniversary is gonna be too!"
Kerry On Why She Thinks Nnamdi And Their Children Are A Gift From God
Washington's love and admiration for Asomugha and their family grow increasingly each day, so much so that she uses it as inspiration to share positive messages with her fans.
The 46-year-old revealed during a panel with Al Sharpton at National Action Network Convention on April 12 that she sees her husband and their children as "proof" that God exists and loves her because of the great joy they bring to her life.
"Well, you've met my husband, my husband's amazing. I got a good one. We have three beautiful children. And I think, you know, when I look at my marriage, and I look at my kids, fundamentally, they are proof of God to me,” she said. "Because I know that God loves me to have put those people in my life. And that sense of like, knowing that God loves me. That, to me, is so much of how I make the decisions about the activism that I do and the content that I make."
Regardless of what the public may think about Washington and Asomugha's private union, they are proving with each moment that love can conquer all.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Arturo Holmes/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue