21 Signs He Still Loves You

Breakups are hard, but what’s harder is realizing that you still have feelings for your ex. Then you find yourself asking these words – does he still love me – and continue to experience the pain of separation. Relationships can fall apart easily. You and your partner may have had a small fight, and neither one of you wants to apologize first. Or one of you may have hurt the other, and the best course of action seemed like to part ways. Or when you were younger, you probably wanted different things. Whatever the reason, the relationship didn’t last. But that doesn’t have to mean your love or affection for each other has stopped.

When you and your ex bump into each other again, the spark might still be there. You could now be wondering if there is another chance to make it work. But you want to be sure he feels the same way before you dive in and ask him about it. Check out some helpful suggestions to help you figure out if he still has feelings for you.

How To See Love In The Eyes/Actions Of Your Ex-Boyfriend/Ex-Husband

Coming out of a broken relationship can be tough, but there are times when giving a second chance lingers around your mind. Seeing love in the eyes or actions of your ex-boyfriend or ex-husband requires a different perspective as well as an open heart.

The key is to notice how much he is working towards making you feel loved. Clearly you both went your own way for a reason. Is he working on improving himself? There might be a possibility of romantic love transformation but the love that comes from shared history and genuine care can be easily spotted if he still loves you. As the relationship evolves, love might take several forms but a few signs can help you recognize the hidden affection that still exists between you two. Head to the next section to learn about the signs that may convey the feelings better.

Signs Your Ex-Boyfriend/Ex-Husband Still Loves You

Recognizing whether your ex still loves you after a breakup may be difficult and can be very emotional. Although a break up is officially the end of a relationship, most people find themselves wondering about lingering feelings. Here are some subtle but sure signs that may help offer clarity if you’re wondering if your ex still loves you.

1. He Still Actively Follows You On Social Media

This means that he not only follows you on social media but always likes or comments on every post you make and every story you upload. This is a simple way for him to get a response from you. He is testing the waters to see whether or not you are open to talk to him.

2. He Tries To Contact You Every Now And Then

Be it a random event or your dog’s birthday, he texts you, using it as a reason to ask how you have been doing. These small gestures are clear signs he cares about you and show that you’re always on his mind. He obviously does this because you are always on his mind and he experiences fresh signs of infatuation towards you, even if he does not want to admit it.

Quick Tip

Alternatively, your ex may also respond or react to all your statuses and stories on any social media platform to talk to you through text.

3. And When You Respond, He Tries To Keep The Conversation Going

It is obvious that you would reply to his wishes and regards. After all, it is basic courtesy. But once you respond, if he tries to keep the conversation going by asking you how your day went and what you did the whole day, or he completely deviates from the topic to talk about something that has your admiration or fondness, it is clear that he just wants to keep getting your replies because he loves seeing your name on his phone’s screen.

4. He Playfully Teases You

Once you both are in the flow of the conversation, he looks for ways to playfully tease you or make fun of you. It may be how he finds your Donald Duck impression completely off but equally funny because of the expressions you make while doing it. This is him reminiscing about all the good laughs you both had together. It is evident from such conversations that he really sees you with a lot of adoration in his heart and misses being with you.

5. He Gets Nostalgic

This is somewhat related to the previous point. When he talks about all the good times you both had together, be it during concerts, movies, or even something as mundane as grocery shopping, he clearly misses doing it all with someone he trusts and shares a deep connection with.

6. He Sends You Pictures Of Things That Remind Him Of You

He sends you snaps or videos of things that remind him of you.

It could be the picture of that famous actress that he always claimed looked like you. Or it may be the lyrics of a certain romantic song. It could even be a dress at a store that you once pointed out to him. Whatever it may be, such actions make it clear that you are on his mind constantly. He associates most random things with the memory of you, so he definitely misses the romance a lot.

7. He Feels Hurt When You Are Cold Towards Him

Of course, this is something you cannot put the finger on when you are conversing over text. But by the tone of his messages, you can tell he is upset. After all, you know how he is when he feels sad because of the past experiences you share with him. And for any reason, if he still gets upset because of your actions, it is obvious it is because he still wants to be a part of your life.

8. He Stays In Contact With Your Family Or Friends

Many may find this to be intrusive, but if he shared a healthy relationship with your family and friends, he might use it as an excuse to get closer to you. Sure, he might actually enjoy their company, but his real focus will be to get closer to you. After all, you are the main reason of attachment with them, and he still wants you to be the reason he is close to them.

9. He Is Always Happy To See You

If you ever bump into him anywhere, he is delighted to see you and does not miss a chance to compliment you. He is all smiles, and his body language clearly states that he cannot get enough of you. You can observe this by the way he laughs with you and how close he stands when he is next to you. He might even try to offer you a ride or a scoop of your favorite ice cream. Anyone who is not into you would not go the extra mile to make you feel special by making such gestures.

Quick Tip

Your ex may also invite you to his birthday parties, house parties, or a friend’s wedding as his ‘+1’ just so he can spend time with you.

10. He Tries To Get Touchy With You

No, we do not mean in a sexual or uncomfortable way. He may offer to hug you and hold your hand a little longer if you decide to shake hands. He might lightly place his arm around your waist if the ambiance of the place is right. These subtle actions can be signs he is making love to you in a more emotional sense, showing that he is still deeply interested in you and isn’t afraid to express it through intimacy. Of course, he is taking a bit of a risk by doing this, but it shows that he is still interested in you and is not afraid to show it through intimacy.

11. He Still Remembers Small Details About You

Whenever you meet him and have a conversation, he may bring up the little things he still remembers about you. It could be trivial things, like the fact that you love the smell of rain. Or it could be that specific type of footwear you really hate. It is basically all these little things and concerns that he wants you to know he still remembers about you to grab your attention. Because let’s face it, we all love hearing about ourselves, and he is playing into this to subtly let you know that he can never forget you or all the little things that make you unique.

12. He Is Rebounding – Hard

Right after your split, if you notice that he already has a new boo in record time, it may be a sign that he is trying really hard to fill the empty void your absence has created in his life. Or he might be hanging out with way too many women than he usually did. Either way, this gives you a clearer hint that he may be miserable without you and is trying to find someone to replace you.

Trying to find a replacement is something you both know will not work out. Such a situation does either of these two things – it completely erases your residing feelings for him, or you might want to reach out to him and sort things out once he has realized how good he had things with you. Both choices are completely valid. You just have to ask yourself what your heart wants.

13. He Tries To Make You Jealous

If he has suddenly started to post stories and videos on social media more often than he usually used to, right after your breakup, it is a sign that he wants to grab your attention. He may post stories of him having a blast at a spontaneous vacation or about his crazy Friday night with some new lady he started hanging out with. Either way, he is waiting for you to respond so that he can have a chance to talk to you one more time.

14. He Isn’t Dating Anyone New

This point may contradict a previous point, but hey! No two men react in the same way. If he was known to be a guy who never stayed single before you dated him, and he hasn’t dated anyone for a while even though you both broke up, it shows that he still hopes to work things out with you and is trying to win you back. This may come as a surprise to you and many people who know him personally, so don’t be surprised if one of his friends casually tells you that he still misses you.

15. The Thought That You Might End Up With Someone Else Scares Him

Sure, he might think it is okay for him to move on with another woman fast. But when you try to do the same and start going on dates with other guys, things might start to get strange with him. He might start to get extremely jealous and salty about the fact that you are moving on. Always remember, ladies, if he did not love you, he would be indifferent towards the idea of you dating someone else. But if he shows his disapproval of any kind, be it jealousy or criticizing the guy you have chosen, he clearly still has unresolved feelings towards you.

16. He Shared About His True Feelings Towards You With A Common Friend

If you both have spent a significant amount of time together, people around you may know about the bond the two of you shared. If he still loves you, there is a chance that he opened up about his truest feelings towards you with his friends to ask for their advice. Those friends, in turn, might share it with you.

17. He Is Actively Trying To Be A Better Person

Nobody is perfect. There might have been times in your relationship when both of you pointed out and realized each other’s flaws. Certain aspects about his (or your) personality may even have been the reason for the breakup.

These could be things like how lazy and inactive he was, which completely annoyed you as you may like living an active, healthy life. Or the fact that he smoked didn’t completely sit well with you. If he realizes his discrepancies and shows devotion to be a better person for himself (and you), it is clear that he is trying his best to win you back because he still loves you.

18. He Is Trying To Correct The Mistakes He Made With You

While dating you, he might have made some huge blunders in the way he treated you. For instance, he must have forgotten your one-year anniversary or that you completed two years at your job. If he correctly remembers all the important dates of your life now and wishes and greets you without hesitation, he clearly wants to share all those special days with you.

19. You Just Have A Really Strong Gut Feeling About It

This one goes without saying. It might even be the reason you clicked and read this article so far. It is because you are looking for signs to tell you what your gut might already know. Do what you will with this information. You might have a feeling that he still loves you. Who knows, it might be a fact!

20. He Has Told You That He Still Loves You

When all else fails, and he comes to terms with his deepest, truest feelings, he might reach out and stop beating around the bush. He is tired of living without you and wants to express the raw feelings and passion he has for you. He may do this not just to express his love for you but also to have a proper closure if you decide not to get back together with him.

21. He Truly Wants You To Have A Happy Life – Even If It’s Without Him

In the end, when someone truly loves you with all their heart, all they would want is the best for you. If he realizes that the relationship is not in your best interests, he will take his step back, no matter how difficult it may be for him. If he has the courage to let go of his most beautiful moments with you, knowing he would never be able to recreate them with you, he truly loves you.

Recognizing the signs that your ex still loves you means opening up to healing, whether it leads to reconciliation or closure. It’s crucial to reflect on feelings, open communication, boundaries, self-care, or getting support in this vulnerable state of relationship. Take some time to reflect on yourself before you act. Remember that both closure and reconnection are valid paths forward and what matters most is that you honor your feelings and prioritize your well-being as you move ahead. If you have decided to reach out to them, then prepare for this conversation by planning about what you’d want to say as well as via which means of communication. Share your observations and respond actively to his perspective as well. If you both decide to reconnect, understand that rebuilding trust and clearing prior issues require a lot of energy and time. Counseling or therapy may ensure that the whole process of making it work again flows well and effectively. Lastly, take this a chance to learn and use these signs as a step on the way to personal growth and self-discovery.

Infographic: What To Do When Your Ex Still Loves You

Having to let go of someone you love can never be easy. Even if you have fallen out of love, separation is a big deal to accept quickly. But that does not mean you should put up with your ex-partner’s unfavorable advances because they are still in love with you. Instead, you must focus on your mental health, safety, and overall well-being. Below is an infographic that will guide you on what to do when your ex cannot let you go. Check it out.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you know if you and your ex-boyfriend will get back together?

It depends on how both of you feel about rekindling the relationship. If you are willing to address the mistakes, forgive each other, and show signs of improvement, loyalty and commitment, your chances of getting back together are high.

How do I know if my ex-boyfriend has moved on?

If he considers you nothing more than a friend or an acquaintance or maintains no contact with you at all, he has moved on. But to be sure, you can discuss with him and get clarity on your position in his life.

Who gets their heart broken more?

While the pain of a broken heart varies from person to person, a recent study revealed that men are more likely to experience emotional pain than women when their relationship deteriorates (1).

What should I do if I feel confused about his feelings?

It is normal to feel unsure about what an ex might be feeling after a breakup, especially if they’re trying to reach out to you after the breakup. You may need to take a step back, assess your feelings and desires, and when you have some clarity, have an open and honest conversation with them. If their emotions are not yet clear, perhaps having boundaries and some time and space can help them process them. Remember, talking to friends, family, or even a professional therapist may help during such trying times as this.

Illustration: Signs He Still Loves You

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn about the heartfelt gestures that reveal a man’s genuine love in this video. Explore 15 touching actions that signify his deep affection and devotion. Check it out!

Was this article helpful?

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Joy NwokoroRelationship Coach

     

Joy Nwokoro is a Christian relationship and marriage speaker, counselor, and coach. Although she studied English and Literature at the Abia State University in Nigeria, she was called over a decade ago to help singles and married people build and nurture healthy relationships and marriages that will make them feel fulfilled and satisfied.

Read full bio of Joy Nwokoro

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Sneha has a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, a professional Relationship Coach diploma, and over four years of experience in writing. She writes about relationships and lifestyle.Sneha began her career as an instructional designer, shifted to freelance technical and research writing, and self-published a novella on the theme of adolescent mental health.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete

Subhrojyoti MukherjeeAssociate Editor

Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

Read full bio of Subhrojyoti Mukherjee

Reshma LatifBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Reshma is a content writer with a penchant for writing articles on relationships, makeup, and beauty. She started her writing career in 2007, soon after graduating from Mahatma Gandhi University. What began as a love for blogging bloomed into several freelancing opportunities over the years.

Read full bio of Reshma Latif