4 Reasons Not To Get Back With Your Ex (2024)

Those who want to rekindle a relationship should carefully evaluate if that’s a good idea. That romantic partner who dumped you could still be the same person. The reasons you broke up with someone may still hold true. Or you may simply be thinking about reconciling for the wrong reasons.

This article will explore why you might be feeling you want to get back with your ex, four reasons why reuniting might be a mistake, signs of an unhealthy relationship, and how to move ahead.

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4 Reasons Not To Get Back With Your Ex (1)

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Why You're Feeling This Way

After you experienced a relationship breakup, you probably felt disappointed, sad and had emotional pain. You might’ve even become depressed.

As time passed, you likely found ways to get over that person and finally accepted it wasn’t working. Or you realized both people need to want the relationship. If your ex cut it off or you ended the relationship, both of you weren’t all in.

Despite those reasons, you may be second-guessing yourself. It’s possible you think you’re still in love with your ex and are ruminating over the breakup. Maybe you were reminded of the happy times you spent together and reminisced by scrolling through photos on your phone. You saw your ex, remembered the fun times, and now view the relationship with rose-colored glasses.

Also, If you still find your ex very attractive and you happen to believe they're better-looking than you are, that could actually play into your desire to be with that person.

4 Reasons Reuniting Might Be a Mistake

Couples split up for a reason. Some people confuse missing someone with wanting to get back together. Here are four red flags that make rekindling your romance could be a bad idea.

Loss of Trust

Let’s say your ex cheated and you forgave them. Forgiveness allows the person forgiving to move forward. But because you remained suspicious even after the incident and never trusted your ex again, you grew apart. You couldn’t share your own worries or fears; you couldn’t open up and be vulnerable with them.

While couples can rebuild trust in their relationships, true intimacy needs trust as its foundation. You want to be with a partner who is empathetic, someone you trust who also trusts you.

Problems With Communication

Communication fosters connection. If your ex brushed things under the rug, avoided difficult conversations or became aggressive and yelled, recognize that you deserve a partner who cares about you and communicates respectfully.

While all relationships have disagreements, arguing destructively can ruin relationships. Checking in with each other on not only mundane, logistical matters, but on deeper matters is healthy in a partnership.

If you or your ex-partner have not become better communicators, these problems can just as easily impact a rekindled relationship.

Confusion Between Lust and Love

If it’s hard to distinguish the difference between lust and love, just think back a moment: Do your memories of your times together revolve around amazing sex? Sexual chemistry is about physical attraction and not necessarily about a close emotional connection.

Intimate sex, however, does combine sexual desire and sexual experiences with a deep, enduring bond.

While it might seem impossible to define love, it is possible. Love can be characterized as a caring, devoted, and deep emotional attachment. Scientists have gone one step further.

Conducting a substantially large, intercultural survey in a recent study across 25 countries, scientific analysis evidence showed that three key components of love characterize romantic relationships: intimacy, passion, and commitment.

While these elements aren’t always present at the same time or to the same degree in a relationship, psychological research shows these are primary aspects of love.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Breakup Sex?

Lack of Friendship

A good friend accepts you for who you are. They offer affection and trust. Friends enjoy being together. If you didn’t have a friendship with your ex, something important was missing.

According to The Gottman Institute, friendship is key to the vitality of a long-term relationship. Though the movies usually depict strangers falling in love, according to scientific research revealed in a 2022 study, most couples begin as friends.

Research published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, comprised of four different studies on relationship initiation, found that 2/3 of people began romantic relationships first as long-term friends. LGBTQ participants had even higher rates of friends-first beginnings than those in heterosexual relationships. But the sample of LGBTQ participants was also smaller in these studies.

Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship

You might not be educated on the characteristics of an unhealthy relationship. For those who grew up in dysfunctional families or with domestic abuse, being with someone who doesn’t treat you right might feel familiar.

The Cleveland Clinic says gaslighting, stalking and bullying, not respecting your personal space, and even talking about their previous relationships in a derogatory manner can be warning signs that a partner is abusive.

Here’s a list of questions to ask yourself about your previous relationship. Take a moment to sit down and truthfully answer each question.

If the answer to any question is yes, ask yourself if that person has resolved that problem. Chances are that they didn’t. It’s one thing to identify an issue, but if a potential partner has not transformed that issue into a healthy alternative, you may think twice before renewing a relationship.

  • Did your ex criticize you?
  • Did you feel a lack of support from your ex?
  • Did you feel uncomfortable, pressured or afraid?
  • Did you feel unseen and unheard or disrespected?
  • Did that person complain about you or handle conflict poorly?
  • Did you feel like communication wasn’t there between you?
  • Did that person try to isolate you from friends and family? Did they try to control you in general?
  • Did your ex treat you poorly and then love bomb you afterward?
  • Did this person not spend time with you?
  • Did you ex lead you to believe he was hiding something?
  • Did your ex scoff at your desire to go to couples therapy?

You deserve to be in a healthy relationship that consists of trust, affection, good communication, and intimacy. If you’re not dating anyone or feeling nostalgic for the good times with your ex, take some time for yourself.

You might not really want to get back with your ex. Maybe you’re just feeling lonely.

There are ways to stay inspired after heartbreak. Give yourself compassion, remember ways you can make yourself happy, return to your hobbies and passions and look ahead to a wonderful future.

Word From Verywell

If you find you need assistance, reach out to a mental health professional in-person or online. A therapist can help you sort through the ending of a romantic relationship and your feelings about wanting to get back together with someone who hurt you or broke your heart. Qualified therapists can help you cope with difficult emotions and help you build your resilience.

They can counsel you on what are the best treatments specifically for you from journaling to cognitive behavioral therapy. Look into it as therapy can provide a safe place from which you can heal.

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Bruch EE, Newman MEJ. Aspirational pursuit of mates in online dating markets.Sci Adv. 2018;4(8):eaap9815. Published 2018 Aug 8. doi:10.1126/sciadv.aap9815

  2. Sorokowski P, Sorokowska A, Karwowski M, et al. Universality of the Triangular Theory of Love: Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Triangular Love Scale in 25 Countries.J Sex Res. 2021;58(1):106-115. doi:10.1080/00224499.2020.1787318

  3. Stinson DA, Cameron JJ, Hoplock LB. The Friends-to-Lovers Pathway to Romance: Prevalent, Preferred, and Overlooked by Science.Soc Psychol Personal Sci. 2022;13(2):562-571. doi:10.1177/19485506211026992

  4. The Cleveland Clinic. How to Spot Relationship Red Flags.

4 Reasons Not To Get Back With Your Ex (2)

By Barbara Field
Barbara is writer and speak who is passionate about mental health, overall wellness, and women's issues.

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4 Reasons Not To Get Back With Your Ex (2024)

FAQs

Is it ever a good idea to get back with an ex? ›

There are times when a breakup can bring clarity about what you want in a partner, and coming back together is a good choice. However, in most circ*mstances, once you break up with a partner, your outcomes are better if you move on instead of cycling back to them.

How do I not go back to my ex? ›

6 Ways to Keep Yourself from Going Back
  1. Acknowledge the loss. You were together for a reason. ...
  2. Ride the waves of grief. A breakup can be like a death, except more complicated because the person is still alive. ...
  3. Experience the longing. ...
  4. Avoid alcohol and other drugs. ...
  5. Forgive yourself.
5 Dec 2014

When should you take someone back? ›

Signs you should get back with your ex
  1. You've both grown as individuals. This is the big one, says co*ker. ...
  2. You've identified your triggers. It's really important that couples have conversations about how things will be different, says co*ker. ...
  3. You've really processed infidelity. ...
  4. You're excited about the relationship.
26 May 2021

When should you give up on an ex? ›

Conclusion
  1. Your ex has not responded to your last five attempts to start a conversation.
  2. They've been with someone new for longer than 8 months.
  3. You've been on a “hard block” for longer than 3 months.
  4. You have broken the no contact rule more than 8 times.
  5. You get pity responses in more than 10 conversations in a row.
2 Feb 2021

Why going back to an ex never works? ›

To rekindle a relationship you need to solve the reasons and issues that you broke up. Getting back with an ex never works if you can't spot the problem and solve it. This can happen when your ex's attitude changes like a chameleon. They lack a proper emotional connection and have behavior/mood swings.

How often do exes come back? ›

You receive a lot of mixed messages when you begin wondering about your chances of getting back with your ex. Depending on your age, the type of situation you are in or your marital status, your chances of getting back together run from ten to sixty-five percent.

How long is too long to get back with an ex? ›

"If it was over something really trivial, for example, you may be able to patch things up in a day or two. If it was over something more serious, it's a good idea to take a month apart so that you have time to get your emotions in check and get clarity about the situation.

How likely is someone to go back to their ex? ›

Research finds that 40-50 percent of people have reunited with an ex to start a new relationship. On-again relationships tend to suffer lower relationship quality and worse functioning than never-broken relationships. People often resume relationships with ex-partners because of lingering feelings.

How do you know your ex isn't over you? ›

Signs to look out for:
  1. They're giving mixed signals.
  2. They blame you for the breakup.
  3. They're angry with you.
  4. They're keeping in touch with you.
  5. They flirt with you.
  6. They're bringing up memories.
  7. You still have some of their things.
  8. They're sabotaging you.
27 Jun 2021

How do you finally let someone go? ›

How to let go of someone
  1. Recognize when it's time. Learning when it's time to let go is often the most difficult part of this process. ...
  2. Identify limiting beliefs. ...
  3. Change your story. ...
  4. Stop the blame game. ...
  5. Embrace the “F” word. ...
  6. Master your emotions. ...
  7. Practice empathy. ...
  8. Adopt an attitude of gratitude.

How do you know when your ex is truly done with you? ›

30 Signs Your Ex Is Over You and Not Pretending!
  • They don't call you anymore. ...
  • They are seeing someone new. ...
  • They don't want to hang out. ...
  • They can be in the same room with you without feeling sad. ...
  • They stop flirting. ...
  • They try to set you up with someone else. ...
  • They return your stuff. ...
  • They ask for their stuff back.
4 days ago

Why do people take back their exes? ›

For some people, it feels “better to go back to someone that you kind of know something about, than someone you don't know anything about”. Another benefit to getting back with an ex is awareness of what's changed in the time you've spent apart.

Why do I love my ex who treated me badly? ›

We feel they love us even though they treat us badly. This contradiction is known as cognitive dissonance, where we believe two contradictory thoughts at the same time. As a result of the contradiction we can become more extreme in our thoughts and behaviours as we wrestle with the disconnect.

How long does ex usually last? ›

"It can take anywhere from six weeks to three months to forever, depending on how intense the relationship was, how invested you were in each other, and how heartbroken you are," says Jane Greer, PhD, New York-based marriage and family therapist and author of What About Me? (Those three factors all sort of piggyback on ...

How do you know if a breakup is permanent? ›

8 Signs that Your Breakup is Permanent
  • You feel better apart than you did together. ...
  • Your friends and family haven't been the biggest fans of your ex. ...
  • You've already moved onto someone else (or your ex has). ...
  • Your relationship was short-lived. ...
  • There is a clear misalignment of fundamental values and life goals.
3 Mar 2020

What is the 3 month break up rule? ›

What the post-breakup 3-month rule basically means is that all parties previously linked must wait three months before dating again. The reason for this societal dictation is to give the people involved a breather, some lead time, maybe a little room for forgiveness.

Why do guys run back to their ex? ›

Many guys admit that they want their ex back because new relationships are different than what they're used to. They crave the comfort of familiarity. Being with someone offers security. Some men miss having someone in their life who they can always count on when they need support.

Do exes that get back together last? ›

The results showed just 15% of people actually won their ex back, while 14% got back together just to break up again, and 70% never reconnected at all. But although it sounds like a small number, a few success stories showed how it is possible to work things out if you put the time and effort in.

Do dumpers come back a second time? ›

If you average all the reputable research on the ex recovery process and chances of getting your ex back, there's about a 43.5% chance your ex will come back without doing anything. Those aren't exactly betting odds. That means six out of ten times you're probably not going to get your ex back.

Why do exes come back after months? ›

Exes Come Back Out of Jealousy

When they see you grow by leaps and bounds in life, they might develop a sense of jealousy. They feel like they are going to lose something that belonged to them. They like to see their ex missing them and can't wait to be with them again.

How long should no contact last? ›

The no-contact rule refers to cutting off all contact with an ex following a breakup, and it's the best method for moving on from an ex. No contact should last for a minimum of 60 days, and it includes no texting, no calling, and no interacting on social media.

Why you should stop texting your ex? ›

Though you may want to put the phone down and move on, severing contact with an ex is easier said than done. Continuing to text your ex after a breakup is like picking at a wound — it hurts and keeps you from healing, but it's also strangely addictive. It is possible, however, to rewire your heart and habits.

How long does it take for your ex to miss you? ›

Today we're going to talk about exactly how long it usually takes for an ex to miss you after a breakup. In fact, based on our research you can expect the average ex to begin missing you anywhere between 2.5 to 5.2 months after a breakup assuming you put forth signals that you are “moving on from them.”

Why silence is powerful after breakup? ›

There is no easy way to deal with a breakup, but remaining silent actually speaks volumes to your ex. After all, actions speak louder than words! By staying silent, you're telling your ex that you're strong, resilient, and independent. You're relying on yourself — and no one else — for your own happiness.

How many couples get back together after no contact? ›

In fact, a hefty 60 percent of couples report getting back together again, per (opens in new tab)Psychology Today (opens in new tab).

Why did my ex move on so fast? ›

One of the most common reasons why exes move on so fast however, is because they can't stand being on their own or dealing with the effects of the breakup. What is this? Ultimately, when confronted with a traumatic experience, we as humans tend to react with our fight or flight mechanisms.

What you should not do after a breakup? ›

Don't share his/her dirty secrets

Trash talking about your ex only makes one person look like an idiot – you. Bad mouthing your ex only makes one person look bad, you. Even though you're hurting, and even though they may have hurt you, be the bigger person and keep your mouth shut after a breakup.

How do you accept a relationship is over? ›

The first thing you need to know is that accepting that a relationship is over will take work. It won't be easy.
...
How to accept your relationship is ending: 11 effective tips
  1. Allow yourself to grieve. ...
  2. Share your feelings. ...
  3. Stay productive. ...
  4. Write about it. ...
  5. Amp up the self-care. ...
  6. Make new routines.
29 Apr 2022

How long should you stop talking to your ex? ›

The rule of thumb is to wait 30 days before you speak to your ex once again. If you were together for a very long time and you break up, you may need to extend this to six weeks. At the most, 2-2.5 months is how long the no-contact phase should go.

How do I know if ex has moved on? ›

Signs Your Ex Is Over You
  1. Communication Dwindles. Relationships are built on interactions, and if you're not in touch in one way or another — in person, on the phone, or elsewhere — there's not really a relationship. ...
  2. Interactions Become Less Fun. ...
  3. Interactions Become Less Awkward. ...
  4. They Get Serious With Someone Else.
16 Jan 2020

How do u know if u still love someone? ›

You care about who they're spending their time with.

To see who's there when they go to hang out with a friend, or worry that maybe someone more interesting will catch their eye? You tell them they can do what they want, but really, you want to know everything that's going on in their lives.

How do you stop loving someone you can't be with? ›

These tips can help you start the process of moving forward.
  1. Acknowledge the truth of the situation. ...
  2. Identify relationship needs — and deal breakers. ...
  3. Accept what the love meant to you. ...
  4. Look to the future. ...
  5. Prioritize other relationships. ...
  6. Spend time on yourself. ...
  7. Give yourself space. ...
  8. Understand it may take some time.
14 Jan 2020

How do you let go someone who hurt you? ›

Tips for letting go
  1. Create a positive mantra to counter the painful thoughts. ...
  2. Create physical distance. ...
  3. Do your own work. ...
  4. Practice mindfulness. ...
  5. Be gentle with yourself. ...
  6. Allow the negative emotions to flow. ...
  7. Accept that the other person may not apologize. ...
  8. Engage in self-care.

What does no contact do to a man? ›

The no-contact rule male psychology forces him to recognize his loneliness. After a breakup, if you stop contacting him, he will feel free and enjoy this phase as much as he can. But, with time, the loneliness and guilt pang will start to kick in.

How can you make your ex miss you? ›

How To Make Your Ex Miss You After A Breakup
  1. Do Not Try To Contact Them. ...
  2. Do Not Receive Their Calls And Respond To Their Texts. ...
  3. Reinvent Yourself. ...
  4. Meet New People And Make New Friends. ...
  5. Talk To Their Friends. ...
  6. Check Out The Outside Dating World. ...
  7. Take A Vacation. ...
  8. Be Active On Social Media.

How do you know if your ex wants you again? ›

The signs that your ex wants you back can be subtle, like enquiring about your well-being from mutual friends, trying to keep in touch without overstepping boundaries, asking for help from you, and being all over your social media. First, however, keep in mind how the relationship ended.

Do men miss their exes? ›

Yes, guys miss their ex after a breakup. Who doesn't? Unless he was never emotionally attached to his ex, it's hardly impossible for a guy not to miss his ex. Relationships are full of memories, events, feelings, emotions, happiness, disagreements, and everything in life.

Why do people go back to their toxic ex? ›

More often than not, we return to someone we know is toxic because we believe that it feels better than processing the loss that comes without them. The collapse of a relationship is painful, and it's uncomfortable too.

How do you know if you still love your ex? ›

Not Ready For Closure: 23 Signs You're Still In Love With Your Ex
  • You still want your ex in your life. ...
  • You think you'll one day be together. ...
  • Movies remind you of your ex. ...
  • You're jealous of couples. ...
  • You compare everyone to your ex. ...
  • Your ex is dating someone new, and you're stilling hung up on him or her.
17 Nov 2015

How do I know if my ex was toxic? ›

What are the signs of a toxic relationship?
  1. Lack of support. “Healthy relationships are based on a mutual desire to see the other succeed in all areas of life,” Caraballo says. ...
  2. Toxic communication. ...
  3. Envy or jealousy. ...
  4. Controlling behaviors. ...
  5. Resentment. ...
  6. Dishonesty. ...
  7. Patterns of disrespect. ...
  8. Negative financial behaviors.

What makes a toxic ex? ›

The toxic ex. You couldn't live with him, he won't let you live without him. The toxic ex doesn't respect the boundaries of their relationship with their ex. They have never really let go of ex mates and will hang on for dear life all the while undermining your ability to co-parent with them and move on to a new life.

How much time should I give my ex to come back? ›

If it was over something more serious, it's a good idea to take a month apart so that you have time to get your emotions in check and get clarity about the situation. Often, when people get back together too quickly, it's just due to attachment, fear, and loneliness.

How long on average before an ex comes back? ›

How Long Does it Take After a Breakup to Get Back Together Your Ex? In most cases, couples get back together within 1-6 months of the breakup. This statistics only includes couples who stayed together in a long term relationship after getting back together. Here's a chart with more details on this.

How long does it take your ex to miss you? ›

Today we're going to talk about exactly how long it usually takes for an ex to miss you after a breakup. In fact, based on our research you can expect the average ex to begin missing you anywhere between 2.5 to 5.2 months after a breakup assuming you put forth signals that you are “moving on from them.”

How do you know when it's finally over? ›

There's no emotional connection

If you're not sharing what's on your mind, it might be a sign that you no longer want a deep connection. Similarly, if you've found that the usual fun banter between you is gone, or it's difficult to have engaging conversations, your bond could be getting weaker.

What are the signs that your ex is not over you? ›

Signs to look out for:
  • They're giving mixed signals.
  • They blame you for the breakup.
  • They're angry with you.
  • They're keeping in touch with you.
  • They flirt with you.
  • They're bringing up memories.
  • You still have some of their things.
  • They're sabotaging you.
27 Jun 2021

How do you know if your ex regrets breaking up? ›

Here are some of the signs your ex regrets dumping you.
  • They begin to communicate with you.
  • They apologize for the breakup.
  • They show more affection.
  • They discuss issues in their present relationship.
  • They try to atone for past mistakes.
  • They show pessimism when you tell them someone else is involved.
  • They stalk you.
8 Jul 2022

How likely do exes get back together? ›

According to much research, about 40 to 50 percent of couples get back together after a breakup. While this is positive, many factors determine the chances of getting back together after a breakup. To begin with, most people get back together with their ex because they still harbor some feelings for them.

Should I contact my ex who dumped me? ›

1. Contacting An Ex diverts your focus from things that matter. I don't care how much you love your ex, contacting them to get them back should be the last thing on your mind after they dumped you. What you should do instead is go no contact, invest in yourself and learn from your relationship.

Do dumpers always move on faster? ›

If a secure attachment ex broke up with you, they are much more likely to move on from the breakup quickly compared to the other attachment styles. They have so much fortitude and self-confidence that they understand that there is much more to them as individuals aside from their relationship.

Will no contact make him miss me? ›

Does no contact make him miss you? Yes! One of the best ways to use silence after a breakup is to cut off all means of communication. That includes going silent on social media after a breakup.

What no contact does to a woman? ›

Going 'no-contact' with someone you spent a lot of time with and planned a future with can be painful. A woman experiencing the stages of no contact is likely to feel angry, sad, and lonely. While a woman is likely to feel sadness in the early stages of no contact, she will quickly get over her ex as time goes on.

How an ex feels during no contact? ›

They feel very calm and as if they made the correct decision to leave the relationship. Like I said, this will typically last from anywhere between three days to a week. So, when you're doing a no contact rule for the first three days to seven days they're feeling kind of, good about themselves.

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