15 Signs You’re Still In Love With Your Ex 

Let’s be real—getting over an ex is tough. Sometimes, even when you think you’ve moved on, a part of you is still stuck in the past. 

Emotions can be tricky like that. Memories pop up, old feelings resurface, and it’s hard to know if you’re truly over someone or just telling yourself you are. 

No matter how much time has passed, certain signs can show that you’re still holding onto that relationship more than you’d like to admit.

Understanding these signs isn’t about feeling bad—it’s about being honest with yourself. Recognizing the ways you’re still attached can be the first step toward really letting go. 

Even the smallest habits and thoughts can reveal a lot about what’s going on in your heart. 

So, if you’re wondering why moving on feels harder than expected, take a closer look.

Here are fifteen signs that might mean you’re still holding on.

1. You Keep Thinking About Them Constantly

Your mind drifts back to them way more often than you’d like. Maybe you find yourself wondering what they’re up to or replaying old memories. 

This kind of lingering thought isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a sign your feelings might still be alive and well. 

When someone has moved on, the random thoughts become less frequent. But if you’re still stuck replaying the highlight reel of your relationship, it could mean your heart hasn’t quite let go.

Even little things like a song on the radio or a favorite restaurant can trigger memories. 

The worst part? It can hit you out of nowhere. If your first thought is always about your ex instead of moving forward, then there’s a chance you’re still emotionally attached. 

2. You Compare Everyone To Your Ex

Every new person you meet gets held up to the same standard as your ex. 

You can’t help but notice how they don’t laugh the same way or how they don’t have the same quirks you loved. 

This isn’t fair to the new person, but it’s also a sign you’re not ready to let go of what you had. Being stuck in comparison mode usually means your heart hasn’t moved on from that past connection.

Deep down, there’s a part of you that still holds your ex as the ideal. 

Maybe you find yourself saying, “They’re nice, but they’re not them.” This pattern stops you from seeing what’s great about new people. 

Instead of giving new connections a real chance, you’re still chasing something that’s already gone.

3. You Keep Tabs On Them Online

Checking their social media? It might feel harmless, but it’s a huge red flag. 

Stalking their Instagram stories or scrolling through their old posts shows a lingering attachment. 

Sure, it’s normal to be curious, but constantly going back for updates means your heart hasn’t moved on yet. It’s as if you’re looking for clues about their life without you.

Worse yet, seeing your ex’s life unfold without you can hurt. It might even stir up jealousy, especially if they look like they’ve moved on. 

Instead of helping you heal, this habit keeps you tied to the past. 

Breaking this cycle takes effort, but it’s a clear sign that you need to start focusing on your own life, not theirs.

4. You Still Feel Emotional When You Hear Their Name

Hearing their name still stirs up a mix of emotions, whether it’s sadness, anger, or even butterflies. 

The sound of it isn’t just another word for you—it’s loaded with memories. Instead of being neutral, your reaction shows your feelings are still raw and unprocessed. 

Being reminded of them shouldn’t take you on an emotional rollercoaster if you’ve truly moved on.

Maybe your friends avoid mentioning their name because they know it still gets to you. 

It’s a sign you haven’t reached a place of acceptance yet. Emotional reactions, even small ones, show your heart is still attached. 

It’s hard to fake indifference when deep down, you still care.

5. You Avoid Places You Used To Go Together

Skipping your favorite coffee spot or avoiding a certain park? It’s not just about bad memories—it’s also about avoiding the feelings you had when you were there together. 

Those places hold a lot of emotional weight, and going there alone can feel strange. You might catch yourself taking the long way home just to avoid certain reminders of the past.

Staying away from places that hold special memories is a sign you’re still trying to shield yourself from the pain. 

It feels easier to avoid than to face it head-on. But avoiding doesn’t equal healing. It just shows you’re still not ready to confront how you feel.

6. You Bring Them Up In Conversations A Lot

Talking about your ex more than you realize? Even if it’s just in passing, it could mean they’re still a big part of your life in your mind. 

Dropping their name in conversations might feel casual, but it’s actually a sign that they’re still on your mind. 

It’s almost like you’re trying to keep their memory alive in some way, even when the topic isn’t directly about them.

Friends might have already noticed and stopped mentioning your ex around you because of how often you bring them up. It’s a subtle way of clinging to the past. 

Moving on means letting go of the urge to talk about them every chance you get.

7. You’re Not Interested In New Relationships

You might say you’re not ready to date, but the real reason could be that you’re still hung up on your ex. 

It’s normal to need time after a breakup, but shutting down the idea of meeting someone new for a long time might mean you’re still emotionally invested in the past relationship. 

Even when someone great comes along, you find reasons not to pursue it.

Feeling uninterested in anyone new shows you’re still comparing them to your ex or holding out hope that things might work out someday. 

It’s hard to open yourself up to new love when a part of you is still holding space for what once was. 

Letting go isn’t about forgetting—it’s about making room for something better.

8. You Daydream About Getting Back Together

Daydreaming about rekindling the relationship happens more often than you’d like to admit. 

Maybe you catch yourself imagining random scenarios where you run into each other, and everything magically falls back into place. 

Instead of just remembering the past, you’re actively picturing a future where you’re still together.

Even small fantasies like these hint that part of you hasn’t let go of the hope. It’s not uncommon to miss the good times, but living in that fantasy means avoiding the reality of why things ended. It keeps you stuck in a loop instead of moving forward.

9. You Keep Old Photos And Mementos

Holding onto old pictures, gifts, or letters? These things serve as emotional bookmarks, constantly reminding you of your past relationship. 

Instead of tucking them away or letting them go, you find comfort in revisiting those memories. It’s like you’re afraid to fully close that chapter.

Having a box of old mementos isn’t just about sentimentality. It shows that part of you still feels connected. 

Letting go of these items feels like a final goodbye, and maybe you’re not ready for that. The truth is, clinging to these things holds you back from creating new memories with someone else.

10. You Feel Upset Seeing Them Move On

Seeing your ex with someone new hits harder than expected. Even if you thought you were over it, a wave of jealousy or sadness might rush in. 

It’s tough watching them move on while you’re still dealing with leftover feelings. Instead of feeling indifferent, you feel like you’ve been left behind.

That sense of loss and comparison means your heart isn’t fully healed yet. Instead of focusing on your own growth, you’re stuck thinking about their new life without you. 

11. You Secretly Hope They’ll Reach Out

Deep down, you’re still waiting for a text or call. You might tell yourself it’s over, but part of you holds onto the hope that they’ll realize they made a mistake and come back. 

Checking your phone more often than usual or getting a tiny jolt of excitement from a notification shows you’re still looking for that connection.

Hoping they’ll reach out stops you from fully moving on. Instead of focusing on new experiences, you’re stuck in limbo, waiting for something that might never happen. 

It’s normal to feel this way after a breakup, but it also means you’re not quite ready to let go and start fresh.

12. You Make Decisions Based On What They Might Think

You find yourself hesitating before making a big decision, wondering what your ex might think about it. 

Maybe you hold off on a new haircut or reconsider plans for a trip, simply because you imagine their reaction. 

It shows that their opinion still matters to you, even though you’re no longer together.

This habit keeps you tied to the past, instead of focusing on your own wants and needs. Moving on means letting go of that mental check-in with your ex. 

Your choices should be based on what makes you happy, not on what you assume your ex would approve of.

13. You Check Their Friends’ Social Media Too

You’re not just stalking your ex’s page; you also peek at their friends’ profiles to get more updates about their life. 

It feels like a sneaky way to stay in the loop without directly checking on them. Whether you admit it or not, it’s a clear sign that curiosity still lingers.

This kind of behavior is draining and often leaves you feeling worse. You’re chasing crumbs of information instead of focusing on your own journey. 

Breaking this habit can be tough, but it’s necessary if you want to create a healthier headspace for yourself.

14. You Feel Relief Hearing They’re Still Single

Hearing through the grapevine that your ex hasn’t moved on yet brings an odd sense of comfort. 

It’s not that you want them to be unhappy, but knowing they’re still single feels like validation that your relationship was meaningful. It hints at a lingering attachment on your part.

Instead of focusing on your own growth, you’re measuring your progress against theirs. 

The relief you feel isn’t about them—it’s about your own insecurities and hopes that maybe, just maybe, there’s still a chance for reconciliation.

15. You Find Excuses To Talk About Them

Somehow, the conversation circles back to your ex, even when the topic started as something else. 

Whether you’re sharing an inside joke or referencing something they once said, it feels almost natural to mention them. 

It’s as if your mind can’t help but keep their memory alive, weaving them into everyday chats.

Bringing them up regularly shows that they’re still a part of your emotional landscape. 

Instead of letting those memories fade, you’re finding ways to keep them present. This habit stops you from fully immersing yourself in the current moment and moving forward.