The heart does not always obey the mind, and sometimes after a breakup it continues to retain echoes of past relationships.
How can you tell if there's still a spark smoldering inside, and not just nostalgia? Sometimes, realizing hidden feelings for your ex doesn't come right away, and requires careful observation of your own emotions and behavior.
Obsessive thoughts and dreams
If thoughts about your ex-partner do not go away, they suddenly appear in your head during the day, this is one of the clear signals.
A person can constantly analyze past conversations, events, trying to understand where he made a mistake or, conversely, looking for confirmation of the value of the relationship.
Dreams involving an ex-partner also indicate emotional involvement.
Such dreams can be vivid, full of emotions, and after waking up there is a feeling of slight confusion or sadness. Such obsessions indicate that the subconscious does not let go of the past.
Comparing new partners and idealizing the past
When a person begins to compare every new acquaintance with an ex, this may indicate that the ex-partner still occupies an important place in his heart.
Comparisons may arise unconsciously, but they can ruin the impression of a new relationship.
Idealization of the past also becomes a clear sign of unresolved feelings. A person may remember only the good moments, forgetting about the negative aspects of the relationship and thus creating an idealized image of the former lover.
Inexplicable attraction and desire for contact
An uncontrollable desire to know about the life of an ex-partner is another sign.
Constantly visiting his social media pages, asking mutual friends about his affairs, the desire for a chance meeting - all this indicates that the emotional connection is not broken. An inexplicable attraction to an ex can manifest itself in a desire to renew contact even in the absence of rational reasons.
Trying to contact him under any pretext, even through messages or calls, signals that feelings remain.
Emotional reactions to reminders
If things, places or music associated with past relationships evoke strong emotional reactions, this may indicate feelings that have not been fully resolved.
Sadness, longing, irritation or even tears when you see a shared photo or when you hear “your” song indicate that the emotional connection with your ex is still strong. Such reactions signal that internal experiences still play an important role.
Jealousy and possessiveness
Feeling jealous when a former lover has a new partner indicates that feelings have not been fully overcome. Jealousy manifests itself even in the absence of any rights to the former partner.
Such emotions show that somewhere deep down a person still considers him "his own". A feeling of possessiveness, even after a breakup, speaks of unresolved internal conflicts and emotional dependence.
Hidden comparison and attempts at competition
Unconscious attempts to prove to your ex-partner that his life has become better after the breakup also signal an unfinished relationship.
Boasting about successes, trying to present your life in a more favorable light on social networking pages - all this can be a form of hidden competition. A person is trying to arouse interest and, perhaps, even jealousy. Such actions indicate that thoughts about the past do not give rest.
