Are you looking for signs your ex wants you back? Understand what to look for and work out your next move. Take them back or move on?
A breakup is bad enough, but dealing with the mixed signals from an ex after that? Can you really tell for sure, or read the signs your ex wants you back in their life again? You could be forgiven for feeling nothing but confusion.
Are they simply bored with their life or do they really want you back? This is why you need to know the signs, so you don’t end up being torn on which steps to take. A relationship can drift in so many directions after a break-up, and it’s never easy to know where your relationship is heading. [Read: 16 scenarios when you can and cannot stay friends with an ex]
Why does an ex come back?
If you’ve never experienced this for yourself, then you’re going to find it difficult to believe that an ex comes back every now and then. However, the honest truth is that you don’t always move on from your past relationships so easily.
If the reason you broke up wasn’t because of toxicity or betrayal, then there’s always the what-if thoughts around trying again.
Maybe it was just the wrong time or maybe you both weren’t ready to handle the maturity of a relationship then, which is why exes do come back when they think they’re ready.
However, these aren’t the only reasons. Exes can also come back because they’re bored or worse, because they couldn’t find someone better than you. This is why being aware of the signs your ex wants you back can be extremely helpful. [Read: 34 signs your ex wants you back and misses you but won’t admit it]
The signs your ex wants you back in their life and is missing you
When push comes to shove, actions will always speak louder than words. Take a look at all the signs your ex wants you back in their life, and hopefully, they’ll help you figure out what you need to do about it.
1. Dating dilemma
One of the evident signs your ex wants you back is if they’ve been single since you’ve broken up. Even when they tried dating someone, they always kept it on the down-low.
A probable reason why they would want to flaunt their single-but-not-ready-to-mingle status is to let you know that you still occupy their heart and they’re ready to wait for you. They’re not ready to date *unless of course, it’s you*. [Read: 10 signs your past relationship is holding you back from a happy future]
2. They show they miss you
Does your ex make it a point to share their gloomy attitude with everyone else in the world? Be sure to check their social media platforms once every while to see if they’re lowkey reminiscing about your relationship.
Maybe they tweeted a song they’re listening to or they visited where you used to hang out. It might be subtle, but they’re definitely waiting for you to notice.
3. Those awkward calls
If your ex wants you back, they’ll call you more often than a regular friend. It doesn’t matter what their excuse is, they just want to find any reason to talk to you. Even if you want to hang up, they just drag the conversation for a little bit longer.
Creepy? Yes. Sad? Definitely. Obviously, if you still have feelings for someone, you’ll do anything just to be able to talk to them. [Read: How to make small talk and talk to anyone without feeling awkward]
4. They still treat you with warmth
One of the clear signs your ex wants you back is when they behave in a very warm and friendly manner even after the breakup. The normal response would be to feel hurt, or even slightly repulsed and irritated by your presence.
If your ex still treats you with the same warmth and deep loving stares, then you should start thinking twice about their feelings and intentions for you. [Read: The real reason behind why love hurts so much when it goes bad]
5. They’re a little too touchy-feely
Exes who like their ex are always very touchy and linger their touchy-feely soft grazes each time they touch their ex. We guarantee that you’re not just imagining things and your ex probably still feels something for you.
Watch out for signs like accidental touches or lingering touches.
If your ex dislikes you, they probably wouldn’t touch you with a barge pole. This is a really huge indicator that your ex has feelings for you. [Read: How to create sexual chemistry and make it stay]
6. They talk about their feelings
Exes who have a hard time moving on always talk about feelings with their former partners. It doesn’t even have to necessarily mean talking to you, but maybe they’re confiding in their friends, families, or co-workers.
If you have a mutual friend, use that to your advantage and ask if they still talk about you. If the answer is a concrete yes, then there’s your answer.
7. Oh, those memories
Does your ex remind you of your old anniversary, or about that place both of you used to go to all the time? Really, there’s no reason they should reminisce unless they still have feelings for you and want you back.
This is one of the signs your ex wants you back you should really watch out for. [Read: How to get over your first love with a happy memory]
8. They know a lot about your life
If your ex wants you back, the chances are, they know everything about you already, even if you haven’t said anything to them when you bump into them. Maybe they’re stalking your social media accounts or your best friends’ accounts.
Whatever they’re doing, they’re clearly up to date on everything about your life. Even if you fill them in, it’s just minor details as they already know the important ones.
9. Tying loose ends
Has your ex called you some time and talked about the mistakes they made in the relationship and how things could have been so different if they could have changed for the sake of the relationship earlier?
If they’re trying to tie loose ends with you by either taking responsibility for the past or apologizing, they might be interested in getting back together with you. The only question is, are you? [Read: How to get your ex back and convince them it’s the right thing to do]
10. They tell you that they miss you
Do you want one of the biggest signs your ex wants you back? Well, then, this is it. Even if actions still speak louder than words, there’s no better indication than saying that they miss you.
If your ex talks about how they miss being with you or spending time with you, or if they express how warmly they feel about the failed relationship, it’s probably time for you to start considering if you’d want to get back with your ex. *or block them, of course!* [Read: I miss him but I don’t think he misses me anymore]
11. They spread the good word
If an ex misses you and wants you back even after the breakup, you’d probably encounter many of your ex’s friends who come to you and reveal secretly just how much your ex still misses you and wants you. They might even encourage you to get back together with your ex!
12. They’re at your beck and call
Is your ex always available to be with you no matter when you call or what favor you ask? Let’s be honest, people who get over their exes don’t sit around waiting to run errands for their old lover – they move on.
This is one of the clear signs your ex wants you back. After all, why would they be willing to go out of their way to perform favors for their ex? That just isn’t normal behavior from someone without feelings for you. [Read: 23 signs your ex still loves you even if they act like they don’t care]
13. Bursts of rage
This is funny to watch if you aren’t in love anymore, but if you look at it from your ex’s perspective, it’s pretty sad stuff. If your ex shows anger or frustration when someone flirts with you or when you’re happily talking with someone of the opposite sex, they’re obviously jealous and envious!
If you see annoyance written all over your ex’s face, or if they snap at you or text something rude, it’s pretty certain that you still have your hooks deep in your ex’s heart. [Read: Are you still in love with your ex?]
14. There are big coincidences
Do you keep walking into your ex now and then, out of the blue? If it happens rarely, it’s probably a coincidence. But if it starts to become a regular affair, chances are, your ex has a mutual friend on their side who tells your ex everything about your daily plans.
You’ve basically got a stalker who bumps into you every now and then. Of course, it’s not creepy if you still have feelings for your ex. [Read: 14 things you must keep in mind if you ever bump into your ex to look cool]
15. They show it when they’re drunk
Booze is liquid courage, and it will definitely help your ex say all those things that they usually block out when they’re sober.
If you find your ex drunk calling you every now and then to scream their heart’s desires, they might still be in love with you. After all, we’ve all drunk dialed our ex, right? [Read: The right way to be friends with an ex]
16. They crave your attention
Does your ex ever stare at you the way Puss in Boots does when you walk away, say something mean, or start to date someone else?
If your ex blinks with their big watery eyes, stares sadly at you, and seems really low and vulnerable when you don’t give them attention or ignore them, they’re probably craving for your attention.
This is one of the clear signs your ex wants you back and seeks nothing but your love. [Read: How to stop thinking about someone you still like]
17. They initiate the conversation first
One of the signs your ex wants you back is when they initiate the conversation first. Whether it’s texting, calling, or communicating with you on your socials, they never fail to make the first move.
Compared to an ex who doesn’t care about you, they don’t care about their image or ego when making the first move. Really, they just want to talk to you.
18. They share their life’s details
Even if you’re not asking, they try to keep you updated on everything that’s going on with their life since you broke up. Not even in the small talk kind of way, but really keeping you in the loop of what’s been happening.
They don’t hesitate to give you the important details as if you never left their life. [Read: 13 relationship mistakes new couples make all the time]
19. They openly discuss what happened
People are rarely confrontational after a relationship unless one of them cheated.
If it was a mutual ending, do they still call you or text you asking why the relationship had to end, or how it would be to get back together again? This isn’t seeking closure, this is your ex literally telling you they want to get back together with you. [Read: 20 best questions to ask your ex after a breakup to get closure]
20. They subtly invite you to hangout
Obviously, it doesn’t get any clearer than this. Asking you out on a date or to hang out is one of the biggest signs your ex wants you back. Actions speak louder than words, remember?
Whether it’s a simple errand or going to that coffee shop around the corner, they’re trying to let you know they want to try again without being too obvious about it. The question is, are you willing to take the chance again? [Read: Signs your ex is still thinking about you all the time]
This is probably the most obvious sign your ex wants you back. However, they can also do this as a means to stay on your good side after a particularly bad breakup.
Overall, if your ex continues to like all of your pictures and updates, there’s a pretty good chance they’re still into you. Otherwise, why would they go out of their way to continue liking it?
22. They never retrieved their belongings from your place
Even after you’ve told them multiple times to pick up their stuff and they simply refuse, it could be for a reason. They might just want you to hold onto it. They might want to have a reason to come see you whenever they feel like it.
If you don’t want to get back with your ex at all, we suggest dropping the stuff off at their place. That way, they won’t be able to use that as an excuse to talk to you. [Read: How to break up with someone you live with and keep the peace]
23. Your friends tell you they’ve been asking about you
This is one of the biggest signs. When you find yourself asking, “does my ex want me back?” this will help you know they do.
Asking your friends about you means they want to know what you’re up to. They want to be involved. Why would they be doing that if they don’t want you back? [Read: Can you remain friends even after a breakup?]
24. They still flirt with you
Your exes may always flirt with you. Either they’ll be so awkward they completely ignore you or they’ll just flirt with you because they want you back. When conversations with them tend to always end up flirty, they definitely want you back.
If you don’t want them back, just end the conversation when they try to flirt. Make an excuse and get away. You never want to lead your ex on.
25. They express concerns about any new people you’re dating
This is usually only true if you’ve remained friends with your ex and talk about who you’re dating. Your ex isn’t going to like the people you date. That’s just the truth.
And if they’re making it very obvious that they don’t like anyone you’re dating, then it could be because they want you back. They want to be the one you date. [Read: How to make your ex jealous and drive them nuts]
Do you want them back?
We have to warn you that getting back with an ex is rarely the answer. More often than not, dating an ex will just stagnate your life for a few more years before you realize *all over again* that you two were never meant to be.
But then again, there is the infinitesimally small chance that perhaps, things could work out between you two the second time around! So if you’re willing to give your relationship a second go, then take a look at the signs above to be sure.
By the time you get to the end of the list, perhaps, you’ll know for sure that they do in fact still love you, just as much as you still love and pine for them.
[Read: How to date an ex again and get second time lucky]
So now that you know how to use these signs your ex wants you back, what are you going to do about it? Do you try again or walk away for good this time?
