13 Signs Your Ex is Pretending to be Happy

13 Signs Your Ex is Pretending to be Happy

Signs Your Ex is Pretending to be Happy

It can be tough to move on after a breakup, especially when your ex seems to have moved on quickly. When you see them out and about, all smiles and pretending like everything is okay, it’s natural to feel a range of emotions. You may feel hurt, confused, or even angry. If you’re wondering if your ex is pretending to be happy, here are 13 signs that may indicate they are.

Clear signs of your ex pretending to be happy

1. Your ex is more active on social media.

This is hard to miss. Your ex is all over social media, posting eye-catching pictures of themselves. This never used to be the case when you were together. It’s as if they are screaming from the rooftops that they have moved on. But have they?

When a person tries so hard to project a certain image, that need not be true. Maybe your ex is finding it hard to move on and wants to get back with you. All this noise they are making is to grab your attention.

2. Your ex continues to be in touch with your mutual friends.

Usually, partners hang up with mutual friends when they miss the familiar atmosphere of the relationship. It gives them some semblance of normalcy. But if you’re not invited, maybe they are sending you a message that they have moved on and are happy. Or at least pretending to.

Your ex may also try to get information about you from your mutual friends. How are you doing after the breakup? Are you in a relationship? 

3. Your ex has found a new love.

Most probably, this is a rebound relationship. Your ex is not emotionally invested in it and still has not gotten over you. They are trying to convince you and the world, maybe even themselves, that they are happy and have moved on.

Maybe the idea is to make you jealous and make you beg them to take you back. In every conversation with your ex, you will find frequent mention of this new person in their life. Just wait it out to see where this relationship is headed. 

4. Your ex still has your things.

Your ex did not bother to return your stuff after the breakup. Maybe they are hoping you will turn up at their doorstep to get it. Or maybe they want an excuse to see you and talk to you. Either way, this is a sign that your ex is not over you yet.

Your ex knows how much those items mean to you. So why haven’t they taken the time to return them? The answer is simple: your ex is pretending to be happy.

By keeping your things, they’re hoping to rekindle the connection between you two. But at the same time, your ex may want to retain these items to relive the memories of the good times you had together.

5. Your ex has found a new interest.

After breaking up, this is a natural thing to do to distract themselves from the trauma. However, the new hobby can also be a front to show the world, especially you, that they have moved on and are happy when actually they are not.

Maybe your ex is trying hard to find their footing and live their life without you. This new hobby might be an attempt to distract themselves from the vacuum created by your absence in their life. 

Your ex appears to be using their new hobby to avoid you. If they go out of their way to avoid running into you, it could be a sign your Ex is pretending to be happy without you.

6. Your ex is super friendly with you.

When your ex is super friendly with you, it might be a sign that your ex is pretending to be happy.

Your breakup was not amicable, even though you cannot call it ugly. Harsh words were said, tears were shed, and anger was very much evident.

But recently, when you met your ex for the first time after the breakup, the atmosphere was friendly and cordial. You were pleasantly surprised by how your ex behaved. You even made prolonged eye contact.

Maybe the meeting itself was staged. Your ex wants to let you know that bygones are bygones. Probably they are laying the foundation for a reunion.

7. Your ex is fond of recalling old memories.

Again, after the not-so-amicable breakup, your ex wants to set things right between you. They use every opportunity to recollect old memories. Maybe they genuinely want to leave the trauma of the breakup behind and move on. But this can also be an indication that they are interested in getting back together.

Most people recall fond memories when they are not happy in the present. 

8. Your ex refuses to openly accept the breakup.

In their social media profile, your ex still hasn’t changed their relationship status. Nor have they removed the pictures of you. Now, this is considered the “public” way of announcing a breakup.

Even if they changed their relationship status to “single”, they haven’t yet removed your pictures. Maybe they want to hold on to them in the hope that you will come back. Clearly, this is your ex pretending to be happy.

9. Your ex tries to make you feel jealous.

If your ex is trying to make you jealous by posting attractive pictures of themselves with their new partner on social media, it could be a sign that your ex is pretending to be happy.

A no-contact rule is another method used by exes to make their former partners jealous.

But there are numerous reasons for this. When your ex is vengeful, this is a natural thing to do. Or else, they want you to understand what you lost when you broke up and regret your decision. Your ex is trying to grab your attention and make you come back.

10. Your ex wants to continue the friendship with you.

If your ex wants to remain friends after your breakup, it could be a sign that your ex is pretending to be happy.

The split was not a very friendly one, and it still hurts you. Probably your ex is also hurting, but they want to repair the damage.

Even if reviving the relationship is out of the question, your ex wants to be on friendly terms with you. For this, they are willing to set aside their sadness and anger and pretend to be happy.

Maybe your ex is using the friendship route to revive the relationship. Only time will tell.

You can get clues about their real intention by watching their body language, such as eye contact. If you feel uncomfortable with your ex, there is no harm in enforcing a no-contact rule.

11. Your ex is trying hard to get back on their feet.

Naturally, after the breakup, your ex wants to leave the pain of the breakup behind and move on. They may be finding it hard to feel genuinely happy. 

If your ex is trying hard to get back on their feet, it’s a sign that they’re pretending to be happy.

They’re trying to prove to you that they’re mature and have changed. They believe that you’ll want to come back when you see them in a new light.

However, the truth is that your ex is still the same person. They haven’t changed, and they never will. They’re only putting on this act because they want to get back together with you.

12. Your ex never mentions you or the breakup anymore.

Your ex no longer mentions you or the breakup, which is a sign that your ex is pretending to be happy. 

It’s a defense mechanism to protect themselves from the hurt they feel. By not talking about it, they can avoid feeling the pain of the breakup.

Your ex may also be trying to move on by pretending like it never happened. They may be dating other people and don’t want to bring up the past.

Regardless of the reason, it’s a clear sign that your ex is not over the breakup and is still hurting.

13. Your ex is constantly happy and positive around others.

Your ex may be trying to show you that they’re doing fine without you. They want you to see that they’re happy without you and that they don’t need you anymore.

One way they might try to do this is by constantly being happy and positive around others. If your ex was always the life of the party but now seems even cheery than before, it could be a sign that they’re putting on a façade.

It’s important not to let your ex’s happiness get to you. Remember that they’re only pretending to be happy in order to make you feel bad. Instead, focus on your happiness and let your ex know that you’re doing fine without them.

Conclusion

Breakups are hard, but moving on is even harder. If you’re struggling to get over your ex, don’t worry, you’re not alone. It’s perfectly normal to feel this way.

However, if you notice that your ex is pretending to be happy, it’s a clear sign that they’re not over the breakup. They’re only putting on a façade in order to make you feel bad or to make themselves feel better.

If you’re still in love with your ex, give them time to heal. Eventually, they’ll come around and realize that they can’t pretend to be happy forever.

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