SUBREDDIT: r/relationships
TITLE: I (24f) am suddenly thinking alot about my old boyfriend (28m), why?
POST: Maybe you guys can help me figure this out. This guy and I broke up over 3 years ago. It was a very intense relationship that ended up being shitty, abusive and sad. I have a new boyfriend, approaching a year who is absolutely amazing and I love him dearly. The problem is that lately i can't stop thinking about my ex. I don't want to hook up with him or anything, I am just wondering where he is at and what he is doing. I think I am kind of anticipating when I will see him walking down the street, or something. 

   I am trying to make sense of why he is suddenly invading my thoughts again. There wasn't much closure and the relationship ended really badly. He got very violent and I had to abandon our apartment and stay with a friend, it was an emergency situation which was complete and utter shyte. All that aside, there was always something intensely good between us, but I think that was just his hold on me and not so much anything special or unique, I just don't know. There was a lot about this person that mirrored many aspects of a sociopath. He only ever apologized when the situation was threatening to his livelihood, he could never accept blame and was/is an avid drinker/drug user. He really had me wrapped around his finger. I wouldn't consider him very "successful" in a stereotypical way however he somehow acquires things and people just cough up their goodies to him all the time. He is also very foxy.

  I'm really annoyed and guilty that he's back in my mind, I haven't really thought of him for a long time. What's going on here? How should I deal with this and get him out of my head again. Whenever I think about him it makes me anxious.
TL;DR: 
I am suddenly thinking of my shitty ex, and I need help understanding why and how to make it stop. Thank you.