Even so, the fact that your ex has moved on to the next person so swiftly can leave you feeling confused. How could they just shake off the breakup as if it was nothing? And how should you even react to this development? It can be hard to figure out what to do if your ex is in a rebound relationship. Move on or reconcile because you still have feelings for them. An empirical study has observed that some people might use rebound relationships to boost self-confidence and prove to themselves and others that they are still desirable. It’s not that all rebound relationships are toxic and shallow. In rare cases, they do work out when partners are honest, open to one another, and willing to work on the new relationship. Even so, it can be hard to come to terms with your ex jumping into a new relationship soon after things ended between you two.
Signs Your Ex Is In A Rebound Relationship
The fact that you are unsure if your ex is in a rebound relationship or serious about their new partner can give you sleepless nights. Even more so if you have been thinking of getting back together with them but don’t know their relationship status. If you find yourself in such a pickle and don’t know what to do, the below signs your ex is in a rebound relationship can help put things in perspective:
1. They moved on pretty quickly
There’s no given time frame that answers the question, “How soon is too soon to move on?” It all depends on how emotionally invested you were in the relationship and its longevity. Mainly, it depends on how madly you were in love with each other. If the two of you were inseparable and your ex has hopped onto another relationship right after the breakup, then it’s one of the signs your ex is in a rebound relationship. You are still looking for ways on how to get over your breakup, whereas they have started dating already. When I told my friend Diana my ex rebounded really fast, she said, “The faster your ex moves on after the breakup, the more in denial, avoidant, and hurt they are. If they start dating someone new right away, it’s a coverup and a way to avoid dealing with their emotions. A rebound relationship is basically a distraction from having to think about you.”
2. They flaunt their relationship openly
Do rebounds make you miss your ex more? They can if your ex is flexing their current love life. You are already dealing with a lot of unresolved feelings from the breakup. You don’t need your ex to show off their new relationship. That’s not helping you move on and may make you miss them even more. There is a good chance that this is precisely why your ex is doing it in the first place – to grab your attention. When they rub their relationship in your face, it’s one of the signs your ex is in a rebound relationship. There are only two reasons why an ex flaunts their new relationship:
They want to make you feel jealousThey want to hurt you
They want everyone to know that they’ve moved on and you’re still struggling to heal from this. This shows how little regard they have for you. We read a thread on Reddit about ex flaunting new relationship. A user shared their experience and said, “A lot of people who do this do it for attention from a specific person, I promise. “In most cases, the more in love you are, the more private you tend to become and express appreciation for your partner publicly when it feels momentous. The only time I have ever flaunted openly was when I was dating this guy to make someone else jealous. Trust me. A lot of the stuff you see people post is fake.”
3. Their ex is your opposite
If your ex’s new partner is your polar opposite, it’s one of the signs your ex is in a rebound relationship. This difference is not just limited to appearances, their new partner’s personality will be a striking contrast to yours. If you are confused and asking “Why is my ex rebounding with someone completely different from me?”, then chances are they met this person by pure coincidence and has nothing to do with you. This in no way means you weren’t good enough for him. They are just trying to get over you by dating someone who won’t remind them of you.
4. Things are moving too fast between them
They met at a coffee shop, exchanged numbers, went on a date, got intimate, and moved in together all in less than two months. It sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? If this is the kind of relationship they are in, then it’s one of the signs your ex is in a rebound relationship. It’s obvious they are indulging in romantic manipulation to make things go their way. Tania, a social worker in her late 20s, says, “I did this when I broke up with my long-term boyfriend. My ex rebounded really fast and I felt horrible about it. I dated another guy just out of spite. I realized later that I was trying to create the same level of love, care, and commitment with the rebound that I shared with my ex. I tried to create a fantasy world but, in reality, it was just displacement.”
5. This is a pattern
One of the definite signs your ex is in a rebound relationship is if this is their pattern. They jump from one relationship to another very quickly. If they’ve done it before, then you are right to ask, “Is my ex in a rebound relationship?” It simply means they hate being single. They need someone else to make them happy. When asked on Reddit why people move from one relationship to another without a break, a user replied, “I think there are some codependency issues. I did the same thing once, then realized I didn’t know how to make myself happy. So, I hit the gym, started new activities and hobbies, and did my own thing. I sometimes think people forget about treating themselves right before they get wrapped up in another person’s life and drama.”
6. They are still in touch with you
It’s not uncommon to check in on an ex after a breakup. But constantly trying to talk to you, get you on a call, and ask if you want to meet them is one of the signs they haven’t moved on. If they are flaunting their new relationship and acting like they’ve moved on, then why are they so concerned about you? This is one of the signs your ex is in a rebound relationship. They are in touch with you because they want you back and they are afraid of letting you go. They aren’t ready to move on yet.
What To Do If Your Ex Is In A Rebound Relationship
Do rebounds make you miss your ex more? Depends on how the relationship ended. If they cheated, mistreated, or were abusive toward you, then their new relationship shouldn’t bother you and it shouldn’t matter how many stages of a rebound relationship they have crossed and where they are now. Below are some of the answers if you don’t know what to do if your ex is in a rebound relationship:
1. Accept your ex’s rebound relationship
Accept that you can’t change things. Understand that you are better without them. Stalking them and wanting to know every detail about their new love affair is not going to help. You need to practice self-love and not let negativity get the better of you.
2. Establish the no-contact rule
The no-contact rule works really well if you are genuinely looking for ways to move on. There are many benefits of this rule:
It helps you decide what you want from themYou will learn how to be on your ownHelps you gain a fresh perspectiveYou get to be happy on your ownNew opportunity to fall in loveYou won’t look desperate anymore
3. Seek professional help
There’s no denying that it’s difficult to heal from this and just shrug off your ex’s new relationship like it means nothing. If you’ve tried everything you can to deal with this situation maturely but to no avail, talk to a trusted family member or friend or even a mental health expert. If it’s professional help you’re looking for, Bonobology’s panel of experienced therapists is here to guide you through the process and paint a path for recovery. The more you spend thinking about your ex and their rebound, the more pain you are inflicting upon yourself. Spend time focusing on yourself. When you are ready, put yourself out there. After all, there are plenty of fish in the sea.
