You want to know the signs a man is emotionally attached to you so that you’ll feel more secure in your relationship. Here is what you need to know.
Most men don’t shout from the rooftops about their feelings. If you’re eager for your man to do something dramatic or bizarre, you might be in for a long wait. It takes a little detective work and knowing the signs of when a man is emotionally attached to you to get your answer.
Sorry to break it to you, but it’s unlikely he’s going to come right out and tell you for a good while after he’s actually reached that magic point.
Ah, the confusion! [Read: 33 signs and traits that make a guy a really great boyfriend]
You’ll no doubt want to know where you stand at all times. Some call it over-eager. We like to call it avoiding time-wasting.
Whichever side of the argument you’re on, knowing the signs of a man who’s caught feelings can certainly take a lot of the confusion out of an otherwise quite difficult situation.
“Does he like me? Am I imagining it? Does he just want sex?” Ah, the questions that pop up when you start seeing a guy!
Men aren’t always great at articulating when they’re fully ready to commit to you. In all honesty, it can often be up to you to figure out the signs he’s getting attached to you.
Once you can tell, not only does it make you feel more secure, but it can help you solidify your relationship status. [Read: 30 signs he definitely likes you if you’re confused about his feelings for you]
And let’s be real: some guys can be a little sensitive when it comes to defining your relationship status a little too early. If they’re not quite attached yet, it might scare them off and intimidate them if you’re ready and they’re not there yet.
What does emotionally attached mean?
The typical dictionary defines emotional attachment as a lack of freedom!
We’re afraid we have to disagree with Webster on that one! Emotional attachment gives you stability, support, and comfort. The bonds we share with our pets, our parents, and our friends are emotional attachments. Those do not create a lack of freedom.
If you want to spot the signs a man is emotionally attached to you, you need to understand what it means to be emotionally attached in the first place. [Read: Do men have feelings – Why do they act like they don’t care at all?!]
To some, it could mean he is whipped. And to others, it could be a weakness or vulnerability. More so, though, it is a sort of bond or connection. Being emotionally attached isn’t a bad thing.
It doesn’t matter how many macho guys might say it is weak to show emotion because it is actually one of the boldest things you can do.
Why being emotionally attached is good
Although some say that an emotional attachment makes you rely on someone else, it isn’t true. Even emotionally attached people in happy and healthy relationships remain independent. Emotional attachments are how we make connections with friends and family.
If a guy is emotionally attached to you, something is keeping him close to you. He relies on you to listen, advise, comfort, show companionship, and more. And there is nothing bad about that. [Read: 45 signs he really loves you even if he doesn’t say it out loud]
Yes, you can get hurt and risk feeling pain if you’re emotionally attached, and it doesn’t work out. The thing is, without emotional attachment, you’ll never truly create a bond or a healthy relationship.
What is emotional attachment really? Depending on each other is the simplest way to define what being emotionally attached means.
And that is a beautiful thing. So now you need to know the signs a man is emotionally attached to you.
Men have their own way of showing just how much they want to commit
It’s like a different language, in a sense. Guys have unique ways of showing you they want to commit and that they’re even attached. Sure, some men are brazened enough to just tell you, but that’s not really the norm.
For that reason, being able to read some of the subtler signs he’s getting attached to you can actually help your relationship progress on better terms. You’ll have a better understanding of where you stand and that’ll help you both move forward. [Read: 47 best-kept secrets for making a man commit to you]
The subtle and obvious signs a man is emotionally attached to you
Most of us love more than one person in our lifetimes. We experience heartache, pain, joy, happiness, and pride. Everything you can imagine with this person.
Then something happens and it ends. We grieve, we wallow, we move on, and the cycle repeats. Life is a funny old thing, right?
When you notice signs a man is emotionally connected to you, this one could be for keeps. How do you know? You don’t! That’s the terrifying thing about love!
It’s all potluck and chance, but if you spot these signs he’s emotionally attached to you, you’re at least part of the way to finding out. [Read: Why it’s time to ditch the guy who is using you]
If you’re growing attached yourself, it’s normal to want to know where he stands. These are all the signs your man is ready to commit and wants to start a real relationship with you.
1. He’s comfortable around you
It is hard to get emotionally attached to you if he can’t be himself around you. That is why him showing his true colors, both the good and the bad means he is emotionally attached to you.
He knows you won’t judge him. That lack of fear lets him show you his weird side that he doesn’t let anyone in public see. You make him feel safe and comfortable in his own skin.
You get emotionally attached to the people you enjoy being around. If he is happy and comfortable doing nothing with you or even going on an adventure, he is emotionally attached and open to you. [Read: What does it mean to be vulnerable? 15 ways you both can open up more]
2. He leans on you
A sign a man is emotionally attached to you is him reaching out. You’ll see it if he vents to you when he is having friend trouble, work trouble, or anything else. People don’t like to open up and share any bad news with people they don’t feel attached to.
He wants you in his life for all the ups and downs. A major sign a man is emotionally attached to you is him leaning on you, which means he is willing to reveal his fragile and insecure side to you. [Read: 33 signs and traits that make a guy a really great boyfriend]
3. He wants to celebrate with you
The same goes for the good times. Sharing good news with you is just as important as coming to you when things aren’t going his way. You make his good days better.
He’ll let you know when he discovers a new great restaurant or won 20 bucks on a scratch-off ticket because he wants you to be happy too. He knows you’ll be happy for him, so he is excited to share that with you.
He will only want the people he is emotionally attached to around him in these interesting or big life moments. So if you’re someone he wants to celebrate with, it’s one of the signs he’s emotionally connected to you. [Read: Sweetest day ideas – 30 ways to celebrate love the fun way]
4. He asks for your opinion
When you are emotionally attached to someone, you care what they think. He may ask your opinion on everything from his shirt to his best friend and more. If he takes your opinions into account before making decisions about all things, big and small, he values what you have to say.
Someone won’t just ask your advice on whether they should take a new job for the heck of it. He is doing it because he is genuinely interested in what you have to say.
Not only does he respect and honor your opinions, but he genuinely wants you to be happy with the choices he makes.
5. He makes plans
If he makes plans with you for more than a month in advance, he feels emotionally attached to you. Guys, and really anyone, won’t plan out future events with you if they don’t plan on being with you in the future.
And they wouldn’t want you in their lives longer if they weren’t emotionally attached to you. When he is looking ahead and sees you in his future, that’s a sign you’re very important to him. [Read: 17 gestures of love that are way louder than words]
Not only does he make plans with you, but he also lets you know what his plans are. This has a lot to do with respecting you and the fact that you’re involved in his life.
He won’t just leave you hanging when it comes to his whereabouts, especially if he won’t be able to reach his phone wherever he’s going. This just proves how serious he is about you.
6. He wants things to get serious
There are a lot of ways to know if he wants to get serious. And if he wants to get serious, he is either already emotionally attached or on his way to it. If he wants you to meet his friends and family, gives you a key to his place, or even wants to move in together, those are all good signs of attachment.
When someone feels emotionally attached to you, they will take the necessary steps to move things forward. [Read: 15 signs he wants a serious relationship with you and is fully committed]
7. He checks in
When you’re together, it is easy to think emotional attachment will be obvious. But, when you’re apart, it shows up even more so!
This means he thinks about you when you’re not around. So, if he checks in with a text or phone call throughout the day to say hi or see how you’re doing, that’s one of the clear signs a man is emotionally attached to you.
If he worries about you getting home safely or tries to help with things you’re struggling with, he really does care. You feed off of each other’s feelings when you’re emotionally attached.
He is upset when you are. Therefore, he will want to make sure you’re happy if he feels an emotional connection with you. [Read: How to show affection in a relationship when it doesn’t come naturally]
8. He never wants you to leave
This sounds a little intense, but we don’t mean that he holds you hostage! Rather, he hugs you a little tighter before you go to work. He wants to stay the weekend even if he ran out of clean underwear. He wants to soak up all the time he has with you.
These are signs he wants you around and is happier when you are with him, signaling an emotional attachment again. [Read: Is he deeply attracted to you? 16 giveaways he can’t hide]
9. He considers and cares about your feelings
A man who considers your feelings doesn’t usually do that just for the hell of it. When you are emotionally attached to someone, your feelings and their feelings are intertwined. Your moods often mimic each other’s when you’re emotionally attached.
So, in the same way, we consider our own feelings before taking a new job, moving houses, or finding a new dentist, he will do the same for you. He will consider how you would feel about things before making up his mind. And if you’re satisfied with a decision, he will be too.
He also cares about your feelings and is there for you when you’re upset. Guys who aren’t ready to commit won’t be the ones to rush over when something upsetting has happened. That means if he’s coming to soothe you when things get hard, he’s serious about you. [Read: 30 facts about guys that can help you read his mind]
10. His friends know about you
A guy who is just seeing you casually and has no emotional attachment will not take the risk of introducing you to his friends. He doesn’t want things getting messy and dramatic when he ghosts. If he lets you into his group, he wants to keep you around. [Read: How to win over your boyfriend’s friends and get them to like you]
11. He tries to protect you
He is looking out for you. If the weather is bad, he will offer to drive you. When you take a walk, he will walk on the outside to protect you. Even offering to carry your bags shows that he is thinking about making your life easier.
A guy won’t go out of the way like this for someone he’s not emotionally attached to.
12. He opens up
One of the main signs a man is emotionally attached to you is when he opens up. We don’t mean he tells you what it was like being the big man on campus. If he talks to you about missing his grandma or how his childhood was, he trusts you with these private and sensitive things.
He likely isn’t sharing these things with his friends. This makes him vulnerable, but he’s not worried about that with you because he is attached and trusts you. [Read: How to get a guy to open up and share more]
13. He incorporates family and friends
Another one of the signs he is emotionally connected is when he shares details about his family. He doesn’t just tell you that his brother is a beast at hockey. If he shares his deeper relationships with his family members, good and bad, he feels a connection to you.
He feels emotionally attached to you if he wants you to understand him better and wants you to feel the same. Family is such a personal and private thing to talk about. But if he is willing to open up to you, even about the stuff they leave out of the Christmas card, there is a reason.
He also brings you around his friends and family. If a guy doesn’t want to commit, there’s no point in introducing you to the important people in his life. Going out of his way to make sure they meet and like you is one of the more major signs he’s getting attached and is even planning a future with you in it.
Finally, he also puts forth effort with your friends and family. Think about all the times he’s been around your friends or family if he’s met them. Was he talkative, asking questions, and seemed genuinely interested in them? If so, he’s probably super attached already.
14. He’s not seeing anyone else
A guy who sees a connection with you won’t be running around with other girls. He will be focused on the feelings he has for you and how he can get closer to you and build a relationship with you.
It won’t be hard to realize he is loyal to you if there is an emotional attachment. [Read: 20 ways to know if you’re ready to be exclusive]
15. He doesn’t pressure you into sex
Yes, guys want sex. Even emotionally attached men want sex. But a guy who really feels something for you won’t pressure you. He may make a move, but if you pull away or even seem the least bit off, he will back off and be cool with talking and cuddling.
An emotional attachment can go hand in hand with a sexual one, but it is often even stronger.
16. He picks up on your little cues
He notices how you always have a crumb left on your plate after a meal. A man who has an emotional attachment to you pays attention to the little details. This man sees how you react to a puppy or baby nearby.
This guy isn’t just attached to you, but he knows you, even the things most people don’t see. [Read: 23 signs he’s caught feelings for you and is falling really hard for you]
17. He likes your posts
We’re not saying that he is stalking you. But, one of the signs he’s emotionally attached to you is that he is invested in you. If you haven’t been texting, he will see your Instagram. He likes your posts and knows what memes you love.
18. He tells you
Yes, we know. This is the obvious one. Some guys will just tell you that he’s hooked. He’ll express how much he cares about you with his words and that’s a huge deal. It isn’t easy for many men to talk about those types of things so if he’s making an effort, he means it.
If he tells you he wants you around or he misses you, he is probably, okay, definitely, emotionally attached. And if he reassures you about his feelings and shares his emotions, it’s a clear sign he wants you to know he’s attached to you. [Read: How do guys get emotionally attached? 19 signs and ways his mind works]
19. He wants to spend a lot of time with you
Whenever he has spare time, does he spend it with you? You have a key sign right there! He could be out with his friends, enjoying his hobbies, watching whatever he watches on the TV, but he spends it with you instead.
He’s not having his arm twisted around his back to do this. He chose to. Does that tell you something? He is catching feelings and is emotionally attached to you!
We know what you’re thinking. Maybe he does it for sex. Well, okay, there’s a possibility. Test this theory out a little, and bypass the sex until a slightly later date. If he still sticks around, then you have an emotionally attached guy right there. [Read: How long should you wait before sex? A guide on timings, dates, and sex]
But if he wants to spend a lot of time with you, then you’re a priority to him. Any man who wants to be with you will make you a priority.
No matter what’s going on in his life, he’ll find a way to make time for you. You’ll notice this most when he has to shuffle his schedule around because he wants to be there for you even just for a single date night.
In fact, he’d rather spend time with you doing nothing than out with friends. Now, don’t think that just because a guy wants to go be with friends that he’s not attached.
This has more to do with the fact that if he’s hanging out with you and gets a call to go out with friends but decides to stay in and cuddle, he’s serious about you. [Read: How much time should couples spend together? 24 clues to your number]
20. He texts or calls, just because
No man texts you first on a regular basis, or even calls, for a reason other than he wants to. Regular random texts basically equate to “I’m thinking about you.”
If he’s always the one making contact first, doesn’t that make you feel good?
Of course, it’s not a good idea to make him do this all the time. But if you notice “just because” texts and calls, that’s one of the signs a man is emotionally connected!
He wants to keep up communication with you. This is just something guys do when they’re into you in general. He’ll be the one to initiate conversations, dates, and the like. The more he does this, the more attached he really is.
21. He tries to impress you
A guy doesn’t have to buy lavish gifts to make a point. If he’s going a little over what you would normally expect, e.g. he might show up at your door with your favorite chocolate bar, then that’s a good sign in your direction. [Read: 27 ways to impress your girlfriend and make her fall more in love with you]
Nobody does things for no reason. As with most of these signs, if he’s indulging in small gestures, then he’s trying to impress you and make it clear he’s attached. We only try and impress the people we care about!
When a man is emotionally attached, he makes a big effort most of the time. He thinks about your favorite things and sends small gifts and thoughtful messages your way. You’ve found a good one!
22. You catch him looking at you with a faraway expression
If you’ve ever caught your guy looking at you with a faraway wonder in his eye and a grin, he isn’t thinking about something else. He’s thinking about you! He looks at you in wonder and thinks how lucky he is.
We only stare at things in wonder when we care. It’s a sign of someone who has caught feelings and can’t believe how lucky he is to be in your life. [Read: 45 signs a man really love you even if he doesn’t say it out loud]
23. He does his best to never let you down
No man is perfect. Neither is any woman. Sometimes we hurt the ones we love without realizing it with selfish things. We’re all human. In this case, learning how to tell when a man is emotionally attached can be done by examining how many times he has done his best for you.
If he puts you first as much as he can, apologizes when he’s wrong or can’t make something right, and he’s genuine in all of the above then, believe it or not, he’s a good guy just doing his best to never let you down. This is one of the big signs a man is emotionally attached to you.
24. He openly shows you off
Number one rule! If a guy posts pictures of you together on social media or introduces you to his family and close circle of friends, he sees you as an important part of his life. He will reveal your relationship status or make it clear he’s pursuing you unless he really cares about you.
Are you wondering how to tell when a man is emotionally attached? When he takes you home to meet the family or his best friends! [Read: The 15 signs he’s ready for a relationship with you]
25. He cares about what you think when making decisions
While he will probably canvas opinions from friends and family, he will involve you in any decision-making by asking what you think. This shows you his vulnerable side. He wants to know what you think and gain your approval on whatever the issue is.
Do your best to be open and honest but not too blunt or hurt his feelings. Tell him the truth by all means, but do it in a way that he can handle.
By opening up to you in this way, he’s taking a huge gamble. Most men don’t find opening up that easy to do. [Read: How to get him to really open up so you both can connect]
26. He is himself around you
Most guys put on an act around people they like, at least until they get to know them better. But if you start to notice he’s being more comfortable around you and getting a bit more laid back and goofy, it’s a wonderful sign that shows he’s willing to reveal his secret side that he doesn’t show anyone else.
In fact, even his friends may not have seen some part of his personal life that you’re privy to. If this is the case, you should be doing the same back for him if you really do love him. After all, this is the start of a genuine relationship, one which mutually benefits you both. [Read: 13 weird, unique ways to build intimacy with your partner]
27. He casually mentions the future
All of us talk about the future now and then with people we’re close to. We’re not just talking about weekend getaways a month from now, we’re talking about 2-year and 5-year life plans.
If he talks about his future, his dreams, and desires, and somehow, you’re in all of them, that’s a huge sign he’s totally emotionally attached to you and invested in the relationship.
And if he talks about having kids one day, or where you’re both going to live in the future, well, you’ve got yourself a major future guy! [Read: 37 subtle signs he wants to marry you and spend his life with you]
28. He tells you his secrets and intimate details about himself
On the whole, men don’t usually find it easy to open up and talk about their secrets and fears. This isn’t the case for all men, of course.
Generally speaking, if a guy shares his past experiences, fears, and other deep details about himself, that’s a clear sign of feelings. He trusts and feels comfortable with you
When you two sit down to talk and he divulges deep and meaningful information about his life, he’s already hooked. Guys don’t just go around dishing out that kind of stuff on a whim.
It means he trusts you and wants you to know a deeper side of him. That’s usually because he wants to know a deeper side of you and is already attached to you. Letting you inside his world is huge. [Read: How to make him open up and talk more]
29. He talks to you about life’s bigger subjects
If a guy is opening up to you and talking about life in general, e.g. his beliefs, his opinions, and having deep and meaningful talks about bigger subjects, it’s a good sign that he is becoming more emotionally connected. Most guys reserve these kinds of chats for those they trust.
So, you talk about deep, complex issues. Your conversations aren’t shallow. You two really connect and dig deep on complex issues. This has a lot to do with his level of commitment. The more in-depth you discuss matters, the more his feelings for you grow and show through.
30. You’re his ‘go-to’ during times of need
This doesn’t mean you’re the one who always has to clean up his messes. If he needs to talk because of something that’s happened, or he’s in trouble generally, you’re the one he comes to for help. [Read: What does it mean to be vulnerable? 15 ways you can open up more]
He trusts you and feels stronger wrapped in your arms. And he also feels reassured by your words and your touch. He knows you care for him, and his emotions are laid bare for you to see. This is definitely one of the bigger signs a man is emotionally connected to you.
31. He shows outward signs of emotion
Not all men find it easy to cry. Some do, some don’t. But, if a guy cries in front of you, even just a tiny watering of the eyes, that’s a big thing.
It doesn’t have to be tears. Outward signs of emotion can be a wobbling lip, a look that says ‘that meant something,’ or a hug that is held on just a few seconds longer than normal.
32. He worries about you generally
If he doesn’t hear from you in a while, what’s his reaction? Does he check in on you just to make sure you’re okay? If so, it’s a great sign that he’s already attached. He’s worried about you when he’s not around. [Read: Am I ready for a relationship? Questions to ask yourself]
And it’s not just that he’s insecure and needs your attention. When a man worries about you, he wants you to be safe. That shows just how much he cares for you.
One of the most wonderful feelings is having someone worry about you in general. It shows that they care about you. One of the signs that a man is emotionally attached to you is that he worries about you, be it your health, something going on in your life, why you’re not smiling, why you seemed down, etc.
Being emotionally connected works both ways. It doesn’t just mean he trusts you enough to open up. He wants to know what’s going on with you too.
33. He wants to know you’re eating/you got home safely, etc.
Alongside worrying about you, if a guy is concerned about whether you’ve had a good night’s sleep, whether you’ve eaten today, or calls to ask if you arrived home safely, that shows he cares on a deeper level. It means he’s connected with his emotions too. [Read: Does he care about me? 20 honest signs that prove he really does]
34. Fights don’t last long
It’s unrealistic to expect to never fight. When you do have an argument, one of the signs a man is emotionally connected to you is that the fight doesn’t fester. The guy doesn’t want to fight and argue. He wants serene and happy. His goal is to see you smile, not frown.
He might not always apologize, but he probably will in some way. Remember, it takes trust and a certain comfort level to be able to say “I’m sorry”, especially for someone who is proud or stubborn in general.
35. He lets his guard down around you
All of us care about what other people think, whether we want to admit it or not. If he lets his guard and doesn’t mind being silly the second he’s alone with you, it means he’s comfortable.
He trusts you and feels safe enough to be his real self. That’s one of the signs a man is emotionally attached right there! [Read: 11 signs you found your soul mate, the one who completes you]
36. He wants to know about your goals and dreams.
A guy who wants to be in your future will be curious about what it looks like. He’ll want to know all about your aspirations and where you see your life going. Asking about your dreams and goals in life is a major sign he’s getting attached and is committed to you.
37. He remembers those little things
When a guy pays extra attention to things like your preferred type of bread or even how you take your coffee, he’s attached. He wants to make sure those little things are correct and it means he’s paying extra attention to everything about you, too. [Read: The little things in love that makes romance better]
38. He respects your time
He’s not looking to waste it, basically. If you have to be somewhere at a certain time with him and he makes sure to be on time, it means he takes it seriously. One of those huge signs he’s getting attached is if he respects the time you have and even the time you set aside for him.
39. He shows interest in your hobbies
A man who is attached to you is attached to all parts. He wants to know how you spend your free time and why you like doing those things.
He’ll be really interested in your hobbies and passions because he wants to be a part of that side of your life. And that’s because he’s really attached to you and ready to be a part of your life in all ways. [Read: 10 signs your partner is truly supportive of your goals]
What to do if he is emotionally attached to you
So, you read the signs a man is emotionally attached to you, now what?
If you’re also emotionally attached to him, you’ll be in sync, and things should progress nicely as long as you communicate.
But, if you find yourself holding back or feeling withdrawn around him, you may not be on the same page. If this is the case, you can talk to him about it. You can tell him you want to slow things down so your feelings can catch up with his. Or, if you don’t see potential, you can end things before he gets any more attached.
[Read: The subtle signs he wants to be exclusive and committed to only you]
Have you seen these signs a man is emotionally attached to you? He definitely loves you and is deeply connected, but the ball is now in your court! Once you realize just how committed he is, you can melt into your new relationship with more ease and comfort.