I get it. You’re curious about the signs your ex will eventually come back so you can more easily pinpoint your chances of reconciliation. I commend you for your commitment.
However, here’s some sobering advice: the more you obsess over these signs — or if your ex will return in general — the likelier it is that you’ll make unnecessary mistakes that could harm your emotional well-being and sabotage re-attraction, lowering the odds of mending your relationship.
So while it’s okay to be aware of the signs your ex may return, it’s crucial to recognize and curb any obsession with them. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start from the beginning and go from there.
A no-nonsense guide for thoughtful people who want reconciliation without manipulation, games, or fake behavior — just authentic growth and deep psychological understanding.
Order Your CopyDo Exes Even Come Back
Yes, exes do come back — but it’s rare.
According to a 3000+ participant study from ExBackPermanently, as well as my anecdotal evidence from coaching people on reconciliation for the last five years, only 30% of exes get back together. And only half of those 30% stay together for good. The remaining half parted ways shortly after getting back together. (1)
PSA: I have since spent over a year conducting a survey on the prevalence of reconciliation. According to over 4000 people who responded, only 32% of exes get back together. Of these, roughly 18% have stayed together for over a year after reconciling. You can read more about my survey here.
A crucial aspect to note here is that individuals who managed to rekindle and maintain a relationship did not simply sit back and hope for their ex to return. Instead, they took the initiative, invested in themselves, and addressed and resolved the major underlying problems that caused their breakup.
Moreover, these people didn’t waste time chasing after their ex. Especially not if the ex was cold and unreceptive or didn’t put much effort into mending the relationship. Instead, these people moved on. And it wasn’t until they’ve given their ex enough space through moving on that the ex came back into the picture.
Sounds paradoxical, but letting go of your ex truly is the best way to get them back.
This cheat sheet lays out a simple yet potent approach to mending a relationship — one rooted in raw authenticity that respects both your dignity and that of your ex.
Get The Free Cheat SheetHow To Actually Interpret These Signs: The Hierarchy
Not all signs are created equal. Some are slam-dunks that your ex wants you back. Others are so weak they’re basically meaningless. Here’s how to think about them:
Tier 1: Nearly Guaranteed Interest (Take Action Now)
These signs mean your ex is seriously considering reconciliation. If you’re seeing multiple Tier 1 signs, they’re probably ready to get back together — you just need to make a move.
- They explicitly say they want to try again — no ambiguity, just direct interest
- They ask you on dates regularly — and actually follow through
- Physical affection is happening — kissing, sex, or heavy touching when you meet up
- They talk about a future with you — trips, plans, or serious life stuff together
- They apologize and take ownership — genuine remorse with concrete changes
What to do: If you’re seeing Tier 1 signs, stop playing it cool and escalate. Invite them out, get physical, and move toward re-commitment. Don’t waste time — strike while the iron is hot.
Tier 2: Strong Interest (They’re Probably Coming Back)
These signs indicate your ex still has serious feelings and is likely working up the courage to reconnect. Give it time, but stay ready to engage when they reach out.
- Regular personal contact initiated by them — checking in, asking about your life
- Jealousy when you date others — they get visibly upset or try to sabotage
- They place themselves in your orbit — “accidentally” showing up where you are
- They share vulnerabilities with you — treating you like an intimate partner still
- Creating excuses to talk or see you — flimsy reasons to maintain contact
- Opens up about regretting the breakup — second-guessing their decision openly
What to do: Respond to their interest but don’t chase. Be warm when they reach out, suggest meeting in person, but let them do most of the work. If they’re truly interested, they’ll escalate on their own.
Tier 3: Moderate Interest (Could Go Either Way)
These signs suggest your ex still thinks about you and isn’t completely over the relationship. But they’re also not actively pursuing reconciliation. Don’t read too much into these alone.
- Sporadic contact about random things — inconsistent reaching out
- Social media activity — watching your stories, occasional likes
- Stays in touch with your friends/family — maintaining connections to your world
- Keeps your stuff or shows off gifts you gave — holding onto physical reminders
- Reaches out on special occasions — birthdays, holidays, anniversaries
- Blocks and unblocks you repeatedly — conflicted feelings playing out
What to do: Continue no contact unless they escalate to Tier 2 behavior. These signs alone aren’t enough to justify breaking no contact or getting your hopes up. Wait for clearer signals.
Tier 4: Weak Interest (Don’t Get Your Hopes Up)
These are the signs people desperately cling to when they’re in denial about their ex moving on. They mean almost nothing by themselves and often just reflect normal post-breakup behavior.
- Watches all your stories but never reaches out — passive scrolling, not genuine interest
- Brief, polite responses when you contact them — courtesy, not enthusiasm
- Being friendly in unavoidable situations — just mature adult behavior
- One-off drunk texts without follow-up — impulse, not intention
- Vague “maybe someday” statements — letting you down gently
What to do: Stop analyzing these signs and move on with your life. If your ex only shows Tier 4 behavior after months, they’re not coming back. Accept reality and focus on healing instead of clinging to false hope.
The Reality Check
Here’s how to use this hierarchy: count how many signs from each tier your ex is showing.
- Multiple Tier 1 signs? They want you back. Take action.
- Multiple Tier 2 signs? High probability they’ll reach out. Stay ready but patient.
- Only Tier 3 signs? Unclear. Continue no contact and self-improvement.
- Only Tier 4 signs? They’re not coming back. Stop obsessing and move on.
And if you’re seeing zero signs from any tier after 2-3 months? Your ex is done. Let them go.
The Signs Your Ex Will Eventually Come Back
Below are 40 signs your ex will eventually come back. To be clear, just because your ex displays any of them, doesn’t necessarily mean they actually will return. Think of them more as signals of high interest and not necessarily guarantees for reconciliation.
1. Your ex initiates contact
This is most definitely a sign they’ll come back if their contact is a) about you as a person, b) isn’t about logistics (children, pets, living arrangements, work, shared possessions), and c) isn’t indirect (social media tagging, liking your post, commenting under your profile photo). An example of such a contact would be when your ex tells or texts you something like, “This restaurant reminded me of our first date,” or when they ask, “Hey there, how are you? Just checking up on you.”
2. Your ex contacts you regularly and responds quickly and enthusiastically
This is usually a sign they’ll come back, but approach the situation cautiously and don’t jump to conclusions too quickly. This potential sign could mean different things to different people, so there’s always context to note. For instance, if you’re talking about a shared work project and your ex responds quickly, it’s likely not a sign of interest. Yet, it probably is if they respond quickly when discussing what you’ve done over the weekend.
3. Your ex is curious about you
For example, they keep asking how you’re doing, whether or not you’re still hurting, how your studies are going, how your career is unfolding, or how your dating life is turning out. The more questions they ask and the more personal and inquisitive they are, the more they’re probably interested in coming back.
4. Your ex keeps contacting you even though you’ve told them to stop
Translation: they’re panicking. Perhaps they’re even desperate. On the one hand, this is good. It’s a clear indicator of interest. But on the other, it can be downright disastrous. After all, you can’t build a stable and healthy relationship on a bedrock of panic and desperation.
5. Your ex drunk-texts or drunk-calls you
You know those 1 a.m. monologues your ex unleashes about how much they hate you yet miss you, but only because they want to fuck you, but then again, would consider something more serious? Good sign. Especially if your ex keeps doing it.
6. Your ex reaches out on special occasions or holidays
Birthdays, anniversaries, Christmases, Easter, and Thanksgiving being the most common culprits. Note, however, that if your breakup happened a long time ago, this probably isn’t a sign your ex will come back but only a simple gesture of kindness.
7. Your ex keeps creating excuses to talk to you
For example, “I just remembered I left XYZ at your place?” Or “How are the apartment renovations coming along?” If it’s not obvious already, your ex couldn’t care less about these things. Chances are, they’re just using them as excuses to get in touch with you because they miss you but are too afraid or embarrassed to be upfront about it (see: signs your ex is pretending to be over you).
8. Your ex apologizes for what went wrong
That is, they own their mistakes and admit them. For instance, they say, “I’m sorry I acted so controlling when we were together. I know I have a problem. I’m getting help tomorrow.” Or they say, “You know, I really did neglect your needs. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. I wish I could go back and fix my mistakes.”
9. Your ex prolongs your conversations
Meaning that whenever you’d like to end a conversation, they come up with more questions to keep you from getting away. Now sometimes this doesn’t mean anything. But if you notice your ex is repeatedly prolonging conversations that should’ve ended five to ten exchanges ago, it’s a good sign.
10. Your ex brings up past hurts
For example, they tell you, “When you spent the entire week working, only coming home to bed, it made me feel really inferior.” Or, “I got really upset when you pulled out your phone whenever we had lunch together. It felt like I wasn’t interesting anymore.” Statements like that indicate that your ex still cares, so it’s wise to interpret them as indicators of attraction.
11. Your ex brings up old memories in good light
Like when they say, “Remember when we took that spontaneous road trip and explored new places together?” Or, “Remember when we had that amazing picnic in the park and laughed so hard we couldn’t stop?” Or, “Remember when we went to that park, and I snorted cocaine off your tits while you were having an epileptic seizure? Good times.”
12. Your ex places themselves into your orbit
Meaning they purposefully go to places and venues where they know you’ll be at. So if you keep seeing them wherever you go, it may be because they’re deliberately placing themselves there to make it easy for you to strike up a conversation and re-attract them.
13. Your ex makes non-accidental eye contact
Humans are wired to make eye contact with whatever they find interesting and are curious about. So if your ex keeps giving you glances or checking you out when you’re near them, or if they stare at you more than usual while you talk, they’re probably still interested. (2)
14. Your ex displays positive Social cues and body language
For instance, whenever you’re interacting in-person, they face toward you, lean in, smile a lot, laugh perhaps a bit too much at your jokes, lightly touch you, stand closer to you than usual, or keep their arms relaxed and at their sides, gesturing with open palms.
15. Your ex ditches their friends for you
Meaning they cancel their plans and leave their friends behind so they can spend more time with you. This is often a difficult thing to do, so consider it a huge sign they’ll come back.
16. Your ex stays in touch with your family
Always consider context here. If they don’t have any good reasons to stay in touch, it’s probably a good sign. But if they’re simply close with your family, it probably means nothing. They just care about them, that’s all.
17. Your ex stays in touch with your friends and asks about you
For example, they ask them about what you’re doing, how you’re feeling, what’s going on in your life, if you miss them, still love them, and whether or not you ever talk about them, or at least mention them.
18. Your ex defends you
For example, they take your side when people are talking shit about you. Or perhaps they get into physical altercations with those wanting to do you harm.
19. Your ex blocks and unblocks you
Normally, these block-unblock gestures are simply made out of kindness or confusion, so I wouldn’t think much about them. But if your ex keeps blocking and unblocking you — perhaps week-in, week-out — then that’s a good sign of interest.
20. Your ex keeps making social media posts related to you
For instance, they’re splattering their profiles with cringeworthy inspirational quotes, sayings about relationships, empowerment, independence, breakup motivational fluff, or posts directly addressing you.
21. Your ex tries to make you jealous
Maybe they start posting pictures with attractive people of the opposite sex on social media. Maybe they share updates about how much they’re dating. Or perhaps they start bragging to their friends about how great they’re doing and how much fun they’re having, hoping the news eventually reaches you.
22. Your ex gets jealous when they find out you’re dating other people
A dead giveaway. If they didn’t have feelings for you, they couldn’t care less about your love life. An offshoot of this sign is when they try to sabotage your new romantic or potential romantic relationships.
23. Your ex keeps or shows off something that was yours or that you have given them
This is most commonly a piece of clothing, jewelry, or a random trifle you gave them. Think of it as a comfort object. That is, an item used to provide your ex with psychological comfort while you aren’t there with them. (5)
24. Your ex is second-guessing the breakup
We all second-guess our breakups. So it’s normal if your ex does it from time to time, and it doesn’t mean anything. But if they keep second-guessing to a point where it becomes a borderline obsession, it’s a sign they’ll eventually come back.
25. Your breakup was never official
If your ex never told anyone that they broke up with you, it could indicate that they’ll return. But then again, they may be just embarrassed about sharing the news (which is typical for teens and young adults).
26. You had an on/off relationship with your ex
This is a relationship where two people continually break up and get back together. And while cultivating such a relationship does mean your ex will eventually come back, as is the typical pattern, it is a pretty toxic dynamic to get caught up in. So I suggest you eventually end things for good.
27. You broke up in the heat of the moment
Sometimes emotions make us say and do things we didn’t really want to say and do. One of which is ending our relationship prematurely or unintentionally getting our ex so riled up that they end it. People usually get back together relatively quickly after such mishaps.
28. Your ex talks about a future with you
For example, they bring up cool date ideas, plans about trips you’d go on in the future, or even more serious stuff like buying a pet someday, getting married, having kids, or settling down. All solid signs you still have a chance of mending things.
29. Your ex expresses pride about your achievements and growth
Meaning they congratulate and compliment you often. The more, the merrier. However, note that if it’s been a long time since your breakup, this could just be a polite gesture devoid of any romantic interest.
30. Your Ex Watches All Your Stories
Your ex watches all your stories but never comments or reaches out. Look, everyone watches stories — it’s passive scrolling. This alone means almost nothing. But if they’re consistently watching everything you post AND showing other signs like reaching out or commenting, then yeah, it could indicate lingering interest.
31. Your Ex Refuses to Return Your Stuff (Or Delays It)
Holding onto your belongings is a way to maintain connection and have an excuse to see you later. The longer they keep your stuff, the more likely they’re not ready to let go completely.
32. Your Ex Suggests “Staying Friends” Repeatedly
If they keep bringing this up or can’t accept that you don’t want friendship, it’s often because they want to keep you in their life while figuring out if they want you back. True “let’s be friends” acceptance doesn’t require convincing.
33. Your Ex Compares New Dates to You
If you hear through mutual friends that they’re saying things like “They’re nice but…” or “It’s not the same as with [your name],” that’s a massive sign they’re not over you and measuring everyone against you.
34. Your Ex Opens Up About Their Struggles/Vulnerabilities
When they share deep personal problems, fears, or insecurities with you post-breakup, they’re treating you like an intimate partner, not an ex. This emotional reliance suggests they still see you as their person.
35. Your Ex Mirrors Your Life Changes
They suddenly start going to the gym after you post workout pics. They get into the same hobby you mentioned. They change their style similar to yours. This mirroring behavior shows they’re paying very close attention and possibly trying to become more compatible.
36. Your Ex Becomes Overly Defensive When Asked About You
If mutual friends report that your ex gets weird, defensive, or overly emotional when your name comes up in conversation, it shows they’re not over you. Indifference is the opposite of love; strong reactions mean strong feelings remain.
37. Your Ex Changes Their Relationship Status But Won’t Remove Couple Photos
They mark themselves as “single” but keep pictures of you two together on their profile. This mixed signal often means they’re technically available but emotionally still attached to what you had.
38. Your Ex Asks “What If” Questions
“What if we had handled things differently?” or “Do you think we would’ve worked out if…” These hypotheticals show they’re mentally replaying the relationship and imagining alternative scenarios where you’re still together.
39. Your Ex Gets Upset About Your Growth/Success
Paradoxically, if they seem bothered or make snide comments about your improvements, it often means they’re threatened because you’re becoming the person they wish they had. It’s jealousy masked as criticism.
40. Your ex shows the painfully obvious
They’re all over you, keep touching you, keep being affectionate, buy you gifts, write you notes or poems, sprinkle many affectionate emojis through their texts, compliment you profusely, seek your approval and validation, tell you how much they love and miss you, ask you to meet up, or express how they want to get back together.
False Positives: Signs That Look Good But Actually Mean Nothing
An online course that teaches you how to permanently get back with your ex through honesty, vulnerability, and proper self-improvement.
Get Instant AccessHere’s the part no one wants to hear — some behaviors that seem like your ex wants you back are actually just normal human decency, confusion, or worse, manipulation. Don’t fall for these traps:
1. Breadcrumbing: Low-Effort Sporadic Contact
Your ex sends occasional “hey” texts, likes your posts every few weeks, or drops a “thinking of you” message at 2am — but never follows through with actual plans or sustained conversation. This isn’t interest; it’s keeping you on the hook as a backup option while they explore other possibilities. Real interest looks like consistent effort and eagerness to spend time together, not random crumbs of attention.
What to do: Call them out or ignore completely. Say something like, “If you want to see me, let’s set a date. Otherwise, stop reaching out.” Most breadcrumbers will disappear immediately when you demand real effort.
2. Using You as Emotional Support While Dating Others
They call you when they’re sad, share their problems, seek your advice about life or even other relationships — but have zero interest in reconciliation. You’re being used as a therapist or emotional crutch, not considered as a romantic partner. This is especially common if they’re actively dating other people while leaning on you for support.
What to do: Set a boundary. “I can’t be your emotional support while we’re broken up. It’s too painful for me.” Then stop being available for these conversations.
3. Being Nice/Friendly After Months of Silence
It’s been 6+ months since the breakup and your ex suddenly reaches out being friendly, asking how you are, maybe suggesting coffee to “catch up.” This often isn’t romantic interest — it’s just mature closure, curiosity about what you’re up to, or them feeling guilty about how things ended. After enough time passes, the sharp edges of a breakup soften and people can interact without romantic feelings.
What to do: Pay attention to the type of questions they ask and their follow-through. If it’s all surface-level small talk with no flirting, jealousy, or attempts to see you repeatedly, it’s just friendliness.
4. Social Media Stalking Without Real Contact
They watch every single one of your stories, like your posts occasionally, maybe even comment something innocuous — but never actually reach out to have a real conversation or suggest meeting up. Everyone stalks their ex on social media. It’s passive curiosity, not active interest. Clicking on your story takes zero effort or courage.
What to do: Ignore it completely unless it’s paired with Tier 1 or Tier 2 signs. Social media activity alone means absolutely nothing.
5. “Maybe Someday” or “I Need More Time” on Repeat
They keep saying things like “I’m not ready right now, but maybe in the future” or “I just need more time to figure things out” — but months pass and nothing changes. This is a soft rejection. They’re keeping the door cracked open so they don’t have to feel like the bad guy, but they have no real intention of walking back through it.
What to do: Give them a deadline internally. If they’re still saying “maybe someday” after 2-3 months with no real progress, they mean “no.” Stop waiting around.
6. Drunk Texts Without Sober Follow-Up
The classic 2am “I miss you” text after they’ve been drinking — but the next day they either ignore it, apologize for it, or pretend it didn’t happen. Drunk words aren’t sober thoughts; they’re just inhibitions lowered. If your ex can’t express interest when they’re sober, the drunk confession means nothing.
What to do: Don’t respond emotionally to drunk texts. Wait until morning and if they don’t bring it up sober, neither should you.
7. Jealousy That Never Leads to Action
Your ex gets visibly upset when they find out you’re dating someone, makes passive-aggressive comments, or even says “I don’t like seeing you with other people” — but still won’t commit to trying again themselves. This is ego, not love. They don’t want you, but they also don’t want anyone else to have you.
What to do: Don’t take jealousy as a green light unless it’s paired with them actually asking to get back together. Jealousy without action is just possessiveness.
8. Keeping You Around “Just in Case”
They want to stay friends, keep talking regularly, maybe even hook up occasionally — but the moment you ask about getting back together, they backpedal with excuses. They like having you available for attention, sex, or emotional support without the commitment of a relationship. You’re the safety net while they date other people.
What to do: Cut them off completely. Say “I can’t do the friend thing while I still have feelings” and go no contact. If they truly want you romantically, they’ll come back properly. If not, you’re free to move on.
The Bottom Line on False Positives
Real interest looks like consistent effort, clear communication, and escalation toward spending time together. Everything else is noise. If you’re constantly trying to decode mixed signals, analyzing ambiguous behavior, or making excuses for why they’re not taking action — they’re not coming back. Stop torturing yourself with false hope and accept what their behavior is actually telling you.
When Do These Signs Typically Appear? The Timeline
Understanding when signs usually show up can help you calibrate your expectations and stop panicking when your ex doesn’t immediately reach out. Here’s what to expect:
Week 1-2: Radio Silence (Usually)
Right after a breakup, emotions are too raw for meaningful signs. Your ex is either relieved to be free or processing their own pain — either way, they’re unlikely to show genuine interest this early. If they do reach out, it’s often guilt, second-guessing in the heat of the moment, or panic rather than real desire to reconcile.
What you might see: Possible drunk texts, returning your stuff, or cold/distant responses if you contact them. Sometimes nothing at all.
What to do: Apply strict no contact. Don’t read into anything that happens in these first two weeks — emotions are too volatile to mean anything real.
Week 3-4: Breadcrumbing Might Start
This is when you might start seeing Tier 3-4 signs — they watch your stories, send a random “hey how are you” text, or like an old photo. The initial post-breakup fog is lifting and they’re starting to miss you or feel curious. But this isn’t serious interest yet; it’s testing the waters without commitment.
What you might see: Sporadic social media activity, vague check-ins, or them asking mutual friends about you.
What to do: Continue no contact. These signs aren’t strong enough to break radio silence. Let them sit with missing you longer.
Month 2-3: Real Interest Emerges
This is the sweet spot where most exes who are coming back start showing Tier 1-2 signs. According to my survey, 2.56 months is the average time for an ex to reach out. By now, they’ve had enough space to gain perspective, the initial relief of the breakup has worn off, and they’re starting to genuinely miss what you had together.
What you might see: Regular personal contact, wanting to meet up, asking about your dating life, or explicit statements about missing you and reconsidering the breakup.
What to do: If you’re seeing multiple Tier 1-2 signs, respond strategically. Suggest meeting in person, be warm but not desperate, and start moving toward reconciliation if that’s what you want.
Month 4-6: The Window Is Closing
If you haven’t seen any real signs by now, your odds are dropping significantly. Your ex is either moving on, in a new relationship, or has genuinely accepted the breakup. Some exes do come back after 6+ months, but it’s increasingly rare and often happens only if major life circumstances change.
What you might see: Either clear Tier 1-2 signs as they make a final push to reconnect, or absolutely nothing as they move on for good.
What to do: If nothing substantial has happened by month 4-6, start seriously accepting they’re not coming back. Focus on moving on yourself rather than waiting indefinitely.
Month 6+: Probably Not Coming Back
After half a year, reconciliation becomes statistically unlikely. If your ex does reach out at this point, it’s often nostalgia, loneliness after a failed rebound, or simple curiosity rather than genuine desire to rebuild the relationship. By now, both of you have changed significantly and the person you’re pining for may not even exist anymore.
What you might see: Random reach-outs after long silence, “what if” questions, or friendly catch-up attempts that lead nowhere.
What to do: Be skeptical. If someone couldn’t figure out they wanted you back in six months, question whether they actually want you or just want to avoid being alone. Proceed with extreme caution if at all.
The Exception: Years Later Contact
Sometimes exes reach out after years — usually due to major life events (breakup with someone else, moving back to town, nostalgia trigger) rather than genuine reconciliation interest. These contacts are almost always about them processing their own life rather than wanting you specifically back.
What to do: Ask yourself if you’re interested in who they are now, not who they were years ago. People change dramatically over years. Don’t romanticize the past.
Key Takeaway
Most exes who come back show real signs within 2-4 months. If you’re past that window seeing only weak signs or nothing at all, they’re probably not coming back. Use this timeline to reality-check your situation instead of waiting indefinitely for signs that will never come.
Why Obsessing Over The Signs Your Ex Will Come Back Sucks
As I alluded in the beginning of this article, it’s because it usually harms your emotional well-being and sabotages re-attraction.
Starting with well-being, it encourages panic and stress, and can even lead to rumination: a tendency to spend an inordinate amount of time worrying, figuring out, trying to understand, analyzing, or clarifying a breakup-related thought or theme.
Now this tendency brings us to re-attraction sabotage. Because it’s rumination that often leads to neediness. And it’s neediness that often leads to sabotaging behaviors.
Behaviors like:
- Spamming your ex’s phone.
- Begging them for another chance.
- Breaking the no contact rule.
- Showing up at their place unannounced.
- Sending them cheesy love letters.
- Overanalyzing their responses.
- Attempting to “game them.“
- Stalking them on social media.
You get the idea.
A Better Way Of Determining If Your Ex Will Come Back
Instead of holding onto your chances or the signs I listed earlier, shift your focus to something more important than getting your ex back. This something can be anything — fighting for a cause you believe in, following some life purpose, investing in another relationship, excelling in your career, etc.
The theory goes that once you find something more important and meaningful than your ex and shift your focus on it, you experience the following benefits:
- You preserve mental capacity that you can then direct to a more productive direction than obsessing over an ex. For example, getting your emotional baggage aired out, kicking ass at work, or figuring out what mistakes you’ve made in your last relationship and how to avoid repeating them.
- You become less reactive, needy, and desperate towards your ex and thus more attractive, often dramatically increasing the odds of getting your ex to miss you and reach out.
- You stop constantly getting lost in mental vomit, like when you keep asking yourself, “Will my ex come back,” “Do exes give second chances?” or “What are the chances my ex will eventually come back.”
Need I say more?
It sounds counterintuitive, but it’s only when you find something more important than your ex and hone in on it that you can curb your obsession and raise your chances of getting them back.
And if they don’t come back?
That’s fine.
Because now you have the space in your life for an even better person to take their place. And, although you might not believe me, there’s always a better person to take your ex’s place.
(Optional) Top Questions About The Signs An Ex Will Eventually Come Back
How do you know if your ex will eventually come back for sure?
Out of all the signs, if your ex is reaching out regularly, is enthusiastic, talks about the future, shows affection when you meet up or when you’re away, and is blatant about still being interested, they’ll surely come back.
However, you never really know how these things pan out. So it’s best if you just get better at handling uncertainty.
How do you know if your ex secretly wants you back?
I wrote an entire article on this topic that you can read here. But here’s a rundown of the most glaring signs:
- Your ex is pissed off at you.
- Your ex keeps your stuff.
- Your ex places themselves into your orbit and pretends like it was an accident.
- Your ex tells their friends to spy on you and gathers intel.
- Your ex keeps checking your socials.
- Your ex doesn’t disconnect you from shared online services (i.e., Netflix or Apple Music).
How do you know when your ex is truly done with you?
Again, I wrote an article about this topic that you can read here. But here’s another rundown of the major signs:
- Your ex told you to move on.
- Your ex blocked you.
- Your ex is avoiding you.
- Your ex removed you from their social media.
- Your ex is cold and indifferent toward you.
- Your ex doesn’t want to meet up.
- Your ex speaks badly about you (this one could also be a test, though).
- Your ex returns your stuff.
What Stops Exes From Coming Back?
Occasionally, an ex would want to come back but a particular roadblock thwarts their desire. Now sometimes this roadblock is in your control, other times it’s not.
A few that are within your control:
- Begging and pleading.
- Chasing and pursuing.
- Making grand gestures.
- Game-playing.
- Seeking validation and approval.
- Stalking (on social media).
- Giving ultimatums.
- Letting yourself go health-wise.
- Forcing closure.
And here are some roadblocks outside your control:
- Your ex is simply incompatible with you (in terms of values, beliefs, worldviews, goals, etc.).
- Your ex is getting into another relationship.
- Your ex joined the army.
- Your ex is moving far away from you (to another country or a distant town, for example).
- Your ex wants to date casually for a while.
What Can I Do To Make My Ex Come Back?
This is a rather broad topic, but if I condense it down to first principles, focus on the following:
- Apply the no contact rule.
- Figure out why your relationship failed.
- Overcome your shame, anxiety, and intimacy problems.
- Improve or rebuild your self-esteem and worth.
- Become more self-aware, empathetic, emotionally intelligent, and psychologically resilient.
- Learn the required skills to maintain a healthy relationship.
- Get your physical health in order.
- Learn how to set sturdy boundaries.
- Discover what people you’re actually compatible with.
- Uncover who you really are — what you value, what you stand for.
What should I do if I see signs that my ex wants to come back?
You should read this guide on how to get an ex back I’ve put together.
But to summarize, as soon as your ex reaches out and it’s about something personal, you should first engage in a short conversation, like a 3-5 text message exchange or a 5-minute call. Then, somewhere at the start of this conversation, you should invite them out on a date. And once you meet up, hangout, have fun, hook up.
Now repeat the process over and over again until talks of re-commitment start popping up, at which point, have the talk, seal the deal, and you’re pretty much done.
Will my ex come back after no contact?
While there is no way to know for sure, what we can be certain about is that by applying no contact you’ll drastically raise the chances of your ex coming back than if you didn’t apply it.
Still, it’s important to remember that you cannot control your ex’s choices, no matter what you do. So focus on your well-being and personal growth, and be prepared for whatever outcome arises, whether it involves reconciliation or moving on alone.
Will my ex come back if they are in a rebound relationship?
Whether your ex will come back if they are in a rebound relationship is uncertain. However, you can find comfort in reminding yourself that rebounds often don’t last more than a few weeks because they likely only serve as a way for your ex to cope with the pain and loneliness of a breakup.
Why Does An Ex Come Back After Leaving?
There can be several reasons why an ex might come back after leaving. And while everyone’s situation is unique, some common ones include loneliness, nostalgia, remorse, jealousy, a simple change in emotions and priorities, external pressure from family and friends, fear of never finding another partner or someone better, convenience in the context of shared assets or living arrangements.
How long does it take for an ex to come back?
The likelihood of rekindling a relationship depends on various factors, including its duration, nature, and intensity, your age group, your attachment style, and the level of emotional dependency.
That being said, based on a 4534-participant survey I made, the exes who do get back together, generally get back together in 2.56 months post-breakup.
What are the biggest signs your ex is never coming back?
They’re in a serious relationship lasting 6+ months, explicitly told you to move on, blocked you everywhere after emotions cooled down, or act completely cold and indifferent when forced to interact. If your ex returns all your belongings without you asking, deletes couple photos, and talks about you only in past tense, they’re done. Accept reality instead of clinging to false hope.
How do you tell if your ex misses you vs. just being friendly?
Missing you looks like personal questions about your life, jealousy when you mention dating, or finding excuses to stay in contact. Being friendly looks like polite small talk, quick responses that don’t invite further conversation, and zero curiosity about your romantic life. If your ex treats you exactly like they’d treat any other acquaintance, they’re just being friendly — not pining for you.
Do exes come back after months of no contact?
Yes, exes often come back after months of no contact — my survey shows the average is 2.56 months. However, the longer you wait, the lower your odds become, especially past 6 months. No contact works because it gives both people space to heal, gain perspective, and potentially miss each other. But it’s not a magic trick — if your ex was truly done with you, no amount of silence will change their mind.
What percentage of exes come back after being dumped?
According to my survey of 4000+ people, only 32% of exes get back together after a breakup, and of those, only 18% stay together long-term. So your realistic odds of a lasting reconciliation are around 6% — pretty shit honestly. These numbers improve if you were in a long-term relationship, the breakup was circumstantial rather than due to fundamental incompatibility, and both people genuinely grew during time apart.
Why do exes reach out years later?
Nostalgia, loneliness, curiosity about what you’re up to, or genuine regret about how things ended. Sometimes they’re going through a rough patch and remember you as a safe person. Other times they’re genuinely single and wondering “what if” about the relationship. But here’s the reality — someone reaching out after years is usually more about their current situation than about you specifically.
Do exes come back after dating someone else?
Yes, but it depends on whether the new relationship was a rebound or something serious. Rebounds typically fail within 3-6 months, and that’s when your ex might resurface. However, if they’ve been in a stable relationship for 6+ months, they’ve likely moved on for real. Either way, don’t wait around for someone else’s relationship to fail — that’s pathetic and a waste of your time.
What makes an ex realize they made a mistake?
Seeing you thriving without them, dating other people, or genuinely moving on often triggers regret. Sometimes it’s just time and perspective — the initial relief of the breakup wears off and they start missing the good parts of your relationship. Other times it’s hitting rock bottom themselves or realizing the grass isn’t greener. But you can’t manufacture this realization — it either happens naturally or it doesn’t.
Can you feel when your ex is thinking about you?
No. This is magical thinking and complete bullshit. You can’t psychically sense when someone is thinking about you — that’s not how brains work. What you’re actually experiencing is called “confirmation bias” where you notice coincidences that confirm what you want to believe while ignoring everything that doesn’t. Stop looking for mystical signs and focus on actual behavioral indicators instead.
This cheat sheet lays out a simple yet potent approach to mending a relationship — one rooted in raw authenticity that respects both your dignity and that of your ex.
Get The Free Cheat SheetRelated Reading
- Sometimes No Move Is The Best Move February 23, 2024
- “Be Yourself” Is Terrible Ex-Back Advice February 7, 2020
- Stop Asking If Your Ex Still Loves You (Here’s What Actually Matters) November 12, 2025
- How To Get Your Ex Back After Cheating August 28, 2022
- Phantom Ex Syndrome: Where It Comes From And How To Beat It May 23, 2023
- Why Your Ex Isn’t Texting Back And How To Proceed September 25, 2024
