My issue has always been the time after the breakup when I can't stand any music the X introduced me to, even if I loved it. Then, as I begin to get over it, I get to where I can listen to, say, The Moody Blues, without having the disastrous breakup come into my brain by association. And, I know (or decide) I'm really over it when I can listen without CARING if I think of the (expletive not repeated) or not. I don't ever get (or haven't yet gotten) to the point where I don't associate the music with the person who first had me listening to it. But as long as that association no longer "ruins" the music for me...

I have a similar theme with food and drink. One of my old flames liked layered Toasted Almonds, one of the best sweet alcoholic drinks ever imbibed (pour slowly over ice equal measures of Kahlua, Amaretto, and cream. Once it's served, use stirrer to fold, very slowly and carefully to avoid "bruising" the cream, till the color is unified. You end up with something like coffee almond ice cream in texture. If you let the bartender mix it, it's as thin as milk). After the breakup, I couldn't drink them for a while, but now can enjoy them, and be glad I was taught about them, and not have it "ruined" by memories of the (unmentionable) who did the teaching. But I doubt I'll ever order one without remembering how we met (the drink and I, I mean).