It’s a tale as old as time. You meet someone, you date, you fall in love, and then you break up. Not the most romantic retelling of events, but stories of heartbreak are rarely happy. Unless you’re one of the few who met their soulmate at 16, you’re bound to fall in love and, unfortunately, break up many times in your life. It happens, and it sucks, but it’s made even worse if you’re still in love with your ex after the split.
You may try so hard to hide it, that at first you don’t realize the emotions you’re harboring for your ex. You’ve convinced yourself that the timing was wrong or you’re better off as friends. But once the mourning period passes, you may find yourself sending them a text at 2 a.m. I get it. It’s tough to cut someone completely out of your life, and more difficult to remove them from your heart. Even if you know someone is wrong for you, the fond memories (combined with a little booze) can make you believe that you should be together. But how do you know if this is a fleeting feeling, or if you’ve really got it bad for you ex? Here are nine signs you are still in love with your ex, no matter how hard you try to hide it.
1
You Read Old Texts
You spend hours scrolling through old text messages, laughing at inside jokes and smiling at some of the sweet words. I know, you were just looking to see where it all went wrong. But no amount of detective work will get you two back together, so it’s time to delete the messages from your phone (and iCloud too).
2
You Stalk Their Social Media
Lots of people follow their exes on social media, even after a split. But only a select few continually check their former flame’s status updates over breakfast. I suggest blocking their accounts before you accidentally like an Instagram picture from several weeks ago.
3
You Have Them On Drunk Speed Dial
You promised your friends and yourself that you wouldn’t think about your ex, let alone text them. But shortly after your fifth shot of Fireball, you pull out the phone. Whether the text is a serious question about your relationship or just a single kiss emoji, it’s obvious that once your inhibitions are lowered, your ex is on your mind.
4
You Block Out The Bad Memories
There’s nothing wrong in thinking about the good times. But when those sweet moments overshadow the less-than-happy times of your relationship (i.e. the reasons you broke up), then there may be a problem.
5
You Still Have Mementos
If you’ve become a hoarder of old movie tickets and dried flower petals, then you may still be yearning for your ex. Do your heart a favor and throw away any relationship keepsakes as soon as you break up. Having these items around not only keeps you from moving on, but makes a major mess of your apartment.
6
You Compare Everyone To Them
Comparing everyone to your ex, whether it’s positive or negative, is a dangerous road. Your ex is your ex for a reason. Stop thinking about them and let go before you ruin future relationships.
7
You Try To Stay Buds With Their Friends
You meet a lot of new people when you’re dating someone, but keeping in touch with your ex’s roommate is no good. Your only connection to that person is no longer in your life, so trying to be buddies is a sure sign that you’re eager for any way back into your ex’s life.
8
You Flaunt Your Success
Because posting your new job on Facebook wasn’t enough, you’ve got to send them a text or give them a call. You’re so focused on letting them know how much better off you are without them that you forgot to realize how totally into them you still are.
9
You’re Hooking Up
They say the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else, but that theory may be flawed. Recent research has found that rebound sex doesn’t help you move on from a relationship. In fact, it may make you miss your former SO even more. Skip the one night stands and stick to the more successful ways to get over an ex.
Images: 20th Century Fox; Giphy (9)
