I'm struggling to detach because when I try to detach, my face says it all. I will purposely avoid having eye contact with her.. my face just turns all serious and not jovial at all. How do I improve on this?
For most people, what you describe above is not detachment. Is this the way you act this way around other people you're not attached to--e.g. colleagues, cashiers, or coffeeshop baristas?! I'm not so concerned about you not starting conversations. Averting eye contact (unless on an elevator, subway, or busy urban street) and looking stony serious (all the time) are not typically happy or attractive behaviors.
How to improve? You could reduce your logistical interdependence on and communication with your ex. Second, you could find your solo happiness--that may include finding active hobbies and relaxing pastimes you enjoy, self-work like turning off your inner critic, or working towards becoming whatever vision of success is uniquely Akuei apart from your ex. Being happy tends to make you look more jovial.
Originally Posted by Akuei
However, when she approaches me for any comments on anything, I made sure to respond in a calm and friendly way.
