--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For me, once I've worked on something and…" description: "\"For me, once I've worked on something and it's finished, it's like an ex-boyfriend: you don't go back to them.\" — Michelle Ryan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/michelle-ryan-20966_ex-boyfriend_for-me-once-i-ve-worked-on-something-and_2785224.jpg" --- # For me, once I've worked on something and it's finished… ![“For me, once I've worked on something and it's finished, it's like an ex-boyfriend: you don't go back to them.” quote by Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/michelle-ryan-20966_ex-boyfriend_for-me-once-i-ve-worked-on-something-and_2785224.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/michelle-ryan-20966_ex-boyfriend_for-me-once-i-ve-worked-on-something-and_2785224.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/michelle-ryan-20966_ex-boyfriend_for-me-once-i-ve-worked-on-something-and_2785224.jpg) > “For me, once I've worked on something and it's finished, it's like an ex-boyfriend: you don't go back to them.” [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Finished projects are like ex‑boyfriends—no revisiting. **In simple terms:** Don’t return to completed work. Key Takeaway Move on after completion. Themes creativity completion attachment Mood reflective motivational Type psychological creative When to use this quote - project management - portfolio development Key Concepts psychology of closure creative cycles Questions to Reflect On - Why cling to past projects? - How to let go effectively? A Different Perspective Nostalgia can hinder new work. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ex - boyfriend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ex-boyfriend/) [Ex Boyfriend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ex-boyfriend-2/) [Exes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exes/) [Finished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finished/) [Finished Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finished-like-2170707/) [Like Ex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-ex-473699/) [Worked Finished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worked-finished-3339418/) ## Related quotes > [They like their coffee like they like their ex-boyfriends: bitter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/they-like-their-coffee-like-they-like-their-ex-boyfriends-bitter/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [You started like a saint and now you've finished like a thief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kellogg/you-started-like-a-saint-and-now-you-ve-finished-like-a-thief/) [Stephen Kellogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kellogg/) > [There's a guy out there who's going to be really happy that you didn't get back together with your crappy ex-boyfriend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-behrendt/there-s-a-guy-out-there-who-s-going-to-be-really-happy-that-you-didn/) [Greg Behrendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-behrendt/) > [Everybody knows I have the ratchetest booty tattoo of an ex-boyfriend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-bailon/everybody-knows-i-have-the-ratchetest-booty-tattoo-of-an-ex-boyfriend/) [Adrienne Bailon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-bailon/) > [In my twenties, my dad was paying half my rent and my ex boyfriend was paying the other half. I wasn't in a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-mollen/in-my-twenties-my-dad-was-paying-half-my-rent-and-my-ex-boyfriend-was/) [Jenny Mollen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-mollen/) > [But if there was a protocol for how to say goodbye to your newly ex-boyfriend's brother, right after you kissed him and probably sent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/but-if-there-was-a-protocol-for-how-to-say-goodbye-to-your-newly-ex/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [The skanky vamp biting for bucks on the dark end of state street is your ex boyfriend?" William asked. The look on William's face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tate-hallaway/the-skanky-vamp-biting-for-bucks-on-the-dark-end-of-state-street-is/) [Tate Hallaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tate-hallaway/) > [You never date someone's ex-boyfriend. Period. That's not even the unspoken rule - that's the spoken rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-longoria/you-never-date-someone-s-ex-boyfriend-period-that-s-not-even-the/) [Eva Longoria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-longoria/) > [My ex-boyfriend can round last night, which was weird because I didn't know he was in a coma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/my-ex-boyfriend-can-round-last-night-which-was-weird-because-i-didn-t/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [We linked hands—my ex-boyfriend, my boyfriend, and my former friend-then-enemy-then friend and I—and walked through a door to see if maybe empty carbs were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/we-linked-hands-my-ex-boyfriend-my-boyfriend-and-my-former-friend/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [And if I'm being honest, I don't think I have an ex-boyfriend who would have something mean to say about me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fiona-apple/and-if-i-m-being-honest-i-don-t-think-i-have-an-ex-boyfriend-who/) [Fiona Apple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fiona-apple/) > [My feeling is, if a dog is that hard up to break free, let it go. It's like a boyfriend who wants to break…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/my-feeling-is-if-a-dog-is-that-hard-up-to-break-free-let-it-go-it-s/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [Nick as in my former boyfriend Nick. Ex-rat, ex-boyfriend, ex-alive if I ever got hold of him Nick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/nick-as-in-my-former-boyfriend-nick-ex-rat-ex-boyfriend-ex-alive-if-i/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [I know. Life is so unfair. I'm still not going to pee on Karou's ex-boyfriend for you." "What? I wasn't even going to ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/i-know-life-is-so-unfair-i-m-still-not-going-to-pee-on-karou-s-ex/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [Everyone has the bully or the mean girl or the ex-boyfriend who tried to bring them down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/everyone-has-the-bully-or-the-mean-girl-or-the-ex-boyfriend-who-tried/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) ## More by Michelle Ryan > [I love doing action; I love doing martial arts. There's almost something balletic about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/i-love-doing-action-i-love-doing-martial-arts-there-s-almost/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) > [I just believe that sometimes in life you're like a shark - you have to keep moving through water; otherwise, you'll die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/i-just-believe-that-sometimes-in-life-you-re-like-a-shark-you-have-to/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) > [There's such a huge world out there; I haven't even begun to scratch the surface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/there-s-such-a-huge-world-out-there-i-haven-t-even-begun-to-scratch/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) > [I like to hang out with my friends, go to the theatre, watch DVDs, read, play with my niece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/i-like-to-hang-out-with-my-friends-go-to-the-theatre-watch-dvds-read/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) > [Money doesn't drive me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/money-doesn-t-drive-me/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) > [Soaps are a great springboard for any actor but if you want to be taken seriously, you have to be careful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/soaps-are-a-great-springboard-for-any-actor-but-if-you-want-to-be/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) > [Sometimes in life, random things can blind-side you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/sometimes-in-life-random-things-can-blind-side-you/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) > [I adore water, so it would be a real adventure to visit the Amazon before they chop down all the trees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/i-adore-water-so-it-would-be-a-real-adventure-to-visit-the-amazon/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) > [All that celebrity stuff isn't me. It's just not acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/all-that-celebrity-stuff-isn-t-me-it-s-just-not-acting/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) > [If I wear make-up, then people recognise me, but the rest of the time, no one really bothers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/if-i-wear-make-up-then-people-recognise-me-but-the-rest-of-the-time/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) > [When I left EastEnders, I could have earned an absolute fortune from sexy calendars, shoots for lads' mags, fitness videos and reality shows. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/when-i-left-eastenders-i-could-have-earned-an-absolute-fortune-from/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) > [I toned down my accent at school; otherwise, people would pick on me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/i-toned-down-my-accent-at-school-otherwise-people-would-pick-on-me/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) > ['Bionic Woman' really enriched my career. It was a big, amazing thing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/bionic-woman-really-enriched-my-career-it-was-a-big-amazing-thing-to/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) > [I've always loved the guitar. You see Jimi Hendrix playing the guitar with his teeth, and OK, you know you're never going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/i-ve-always-loved-the-guitar-you-see-jimi-hendrix-playing-the-guitar/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) > [I just don't know anything about jazz, really. I've never really listened to it, but I'd definitely like to discover more about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/i-just-don-t-know-anything-about-jazz-really-i-ve-never-really/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) [Explore all 30 Michelle Ryan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) ## More Ex - boyfriend quotes > [An ex is an ex for a reason, they are an EXample of what you don't want in your future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexia/an-ex-is-an-ex-for-a-reason-they-are-an-example-of-what-you-don-t/) [Alexia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexia/) > [Ex boyfriends, are like an old pair of shoes. You know that you don't need them anymore but you don't have the heart to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ex-boyfriends-are-like-an-old-pair-of-shoes-you-know-that-you-don-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't dwell on the memories you lost, but to smile on the ones you create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pellegrino/don-t-dwell-on-the-memories-you-lost-but-to-smile-on-the-ones-you/) [Dan Pellegrino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pellegrino/) > [Dear Ex, someday I will catch myself smiling because my life is better without you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dear-ex-someday-i-will-catch-myself-smiling-because-my-life-is-better/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Listening to country music alone in your car is a guaranteed way to make sure you think about every ex you've ever had. Ever...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/listening-to-country-music-alone-in-your-car-is-a-guaranteed-way-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [RIP to all my exs, the funeral will be held at Never Again Baptist Church located across from The Lies You've Told Cemetery on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiana-jwilson/rip-to-all-my-exs-the-funeral-will-be-held-at-never-again-baptist/) [Kiana JWilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiana-jwilson/) > [Im done with tears. I'm wiping my eyes. If he doesnt care then why the hell should I?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-done-with-tears-i-m-wiping-my-eyes-if-he-doesnt-care-then-why-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Outta sight, outta mind is what you'll always be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/outta-sight-outta-mind-is-what-you-ll-always-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I miss u alot :'(](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-the-best/i-miss-u-alot/) [SAM (THE BEST](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-the-best/) > [Sometimes I wonder what makes you keep running back to me, but when I take you back, you keep hurting me. You have promised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-i-wonder-what-makes-you-keep-running-back-to-me-but-when-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I should've left you in the gutter where I found you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambri-bright/i-should-ve-left-you-in-the-gutter-where-i-found-you/) [Ambri Bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambri-bright/) > [Roses are red, violets are blue, No can hate you like I do!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/roses-are-red-violets-are-blue-no-can-hate-you-like-i-do/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When Your Missing Your Ex, Like A Math Problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-your-missing-your-ex-like-a-math-problem/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Lol I thought it was funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/lol-i-thought-it-was-funny/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can control myself not to see you, I can control myself not to hear you, but I can't control myself not to think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-control-myself-not-to-see-you-i-can-control-myself-not-to-hear/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 485 Ex - boyfriend quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ex-boyfriend/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "For me, once I've worked on something and it's finished, it's like an ex-boyfriend: you don't go back to them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michelle Ryan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/for-me-once-i-ve-worked-on-something-and-it-s-finished-it-s-like-an/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ex - boyfriend" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/for-me-once-i-ve-worked-on-something-and-it-s-finished-it-s-like-an/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/michelle-ryan-20966_ex-boyfriend_for-me-once-i-ve-worked-on-something-and_2785224.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/michelle-ryan-20966_ex-boyfriend_for-me-once-i-ve-worked-on-something-and_2785224.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/michelle-ryan-20966_ex-boyfriend_for-me-once-i-ve-worked-on-something-and_2785224.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“For me, once I've worked on something and it's finished, it's like an ex-boyfriend: you don't go back to them.” — Michelle Ryan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Michelle Ryan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "For me, once I've worked on...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/for-me-once-i-ve-worked-on-something-and-it-s-finished-it-s-like-an/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/for-me-once-i-ve-worked-on-something-and-it-s-finished-it-s-like-an/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```