A breakup can be hard, making you feel like all hope is lost. It's even more difficult when you struggle to get over your ex, especially when your relationship was the most beautiful thing at some point. If you wonder whether you are still stuck on your ex, there are certain signs to give you clarity. Read on as we discuss signs you haven’t gotten over your ex.
1. Stalking Them on Social Media
With social media, it's easy to keep tabs on people. You don't necessarily need to live with them to know what they are up to; they always post about their activities online. If you still check what your ex is up to on social media, going through their pages, or even trying to see who they are interacting with, that’s a sign that you haven’t gotten them out of your mind. This isn’t helpful; it keeps you entangled with your past when you should be moving on.
2. Comparing New Love Interests to Them
It’s okay to have a standard. However, it’s problematic when that standard is based on your ex. This is a clear sign that you still think highly of them. It could be in terms of their looks, behavior, or personality. If you always compare the people you meet to your ex, a part of you wishes you were still with your ex. You can’t see the good in others because you are blinded by your feelings.
3. Always Referring to Them
If you always mention your ex’s name to your family and friends, it's a sure sign that you are still into them. You bring them into discussions or conversations that have nothing to do with them. You may do that without even realizing it. If your friends and family tell you that you always mention your ex in conversations, that's an indication that they are always in your thoughts.
4. Keeping Items Belonging to Them
Holding on to your ex’s items shows that you are not willing to let go of them yet. It could be something as little as a pair of shoes, clothing, or even a wristwatch. Whatever the case may be, if you are sentimental about your ex’s stuff and struggle to let it go, it's because you feel that it represents them. You would rather keep it than let go because it makes you feel better.
5. Steering Clear of Places You Both Used to Visit
Do you avoid places you and your ex used to frequent? It could be because those places bring back painful memories. You don't want to go there because you are not ready to face those memories. This is a sign that you are still emotionally into your ex.
6. Struggling to Date Others
There's nothing wrong with needing some time to heal or rediscover yourself before getting into a new relationship after a breakup. However, it becomes a concern if you take too long, and short the door against others. Perhaps you feel you aren’t ready to move to the next chapter of your life because you don’t want to close the chapter with your ex.
7. Hoping to Reconnect With Your Ex
You daydream about reconnecting with your ex and fantasize about getting back with them. What if we give it another shot? If such questions are always on your mind, they could be holding you back from moving on and letting go of your ex for good.
8. Feeling Jealous Over Them Being With Others
You are filled with jealousy when you see your ex with others. That’s interesting because both of you are no longer together. You have no reason to be jealous of them being with others. If you feel funny when you see them with other people, it's an indication that your feelings towards them are still very much alive. Until you get to a point where you feel indifferent about what your ex does, you could still be into them.
9. Going Through Old Messages and Photos
If you are always going through the messages you and your ex exchanged when you were an item, it’s because those messages still mean something to you. The same applies to photos. If you are always looking at your photos with them, it's because you are still emotionally attached to them. To move on from your ex, you need to close any chapter you had with them. This includes letting go of old messages and photos you took together.
10. Feeling Sad Long After the Breakup
While you may not be able to turn off your emotions immediately after breaking up with your ex, you should feel better over time. If you still feel intense emotions like anger and resentment several months or years after breaking up, a part of you is still with them. As long as you still feel those strong emotions, you can’t open up to others you will meet. You need to make a deliberate effort to heal. Let go of the hurt and forgive your ex if they hurt you.
Be Patient With Yourself After a Breakup
Emotions are involved after a breakup, so you can't get over your ex at the snap of a finger. It's important to recognize the need for patience. Don't be too hard on yourself. Give yourself time to heal. You may consider getting help or support from family and friends. In severe situations, talking to a professional like a therapist could help.