Minh Tran
We’ve all been there, right?
Navigating the choppy waters of a past relationship, wondering if we’ve truly let go or if subtle traces of our ex still linger in our hearts and minds.
Let’s be real.
Moving on is no easy task; it’s a journey that demands time, patience, and most importantly, self-awareness.
Here’s the catch – sometimes, we’re so caught up in the process of ‘moving on’ that we don’t realize we’re still hanging onto certain threads from our past.
But how do you know if someone hasn’t fully moved on?
Well, it’s often not as dramatic as you’d imagine. It’s not always about them calling their ex at 2 AM or lurking on their social media.
It’s more subtle and lies in the phrases they use in day-to-day conversations.
In this insightful piece, we’ll explore seven such phrases that might indicate that someone hasn’t fully moved on from their ex.
This isn’t about pointing fingers or making judgments; it’s about understanding human emotions and aiding the process of healing.
Remember, self-awareness is key to personal growth and mindfulness. And sometimes, recognizing these subtle signs is the first step towards truly moving forward.
1) “We’re just friends, nothing more”
This one’s tricky, isn’t it?
On the surface, it seems like a perfectly normal statement. After all, it’s possible to remain friends with an ex, right?
Here’s where it gets complicated.
While maintaining a healthy friendship with an ex is indeed possible for some, it’s equally important to recognize when this ‘friendship’ is a veiled attempt to keep the ex in their life.
This could potentially signal that they’re not entirely ready to let go.
Don’t get me wrong.
It’s not about demonizing the idea of staying friends with an ex. Rather, it’s about understanding the underlying emotions and intentions behind this ‘friendship’.
If conversations about their ex always circle back to this statement and you sense a certain defensiveness when discussing their relationship, there might be more to it than meets the eye.
Awareness is the first step towards healing. Recognizing these subtle signs can help pave the way towards truly moving on and embracing new beginnings.
2) “They would have loved this”
Let me share a personal experience.
A couple of years ago, I was dating someone who had recently gotten out of a long-term relationship. At first, everything seemed fine.
But as time passed, I noticed something peculiar.
Every time we’d go out, he’d randomly mention his ex.
We could be at a concert, and he’d say something like, “Sarah would have loved this band.” Or at a restaurant where he’d comment, “This is just the kind of place Emily used to enjoy.”
At first, I overlooked these statements. But soon, they became a recurring theme in our conversations.
It took me some time to understand what was happening.
I realized that even though he had physically moved on from his relationship with Sarah or Emily, mentally and emotionally, he was still tied to them.
These seemingly casual remarks reflected a subconscious longing and a connection that hadn’t been fully severed.
It’s okay to reminisce about the past occasionally; after all, our experiences shape us.
But if the past consistently invades the present, it might be a subtle sign that someone hasn’t fully moved on from their ex.
3) “I’m over it, really”
Have you ever heard someone say this phrase with an overly cheerful tone and a forced smile?
It’s a classic case of someone trying to convince themselves that they’ve moved on. But more often than not, it’s the exact opposite.
Here’s the paradox.
The more someone repeatedly insists they’re over their ex, the higher the chances that they’re not.
It’s almost as if they’re trying to validate their own feelings of moving on by saying it out loud, perhaps hoping that if they say it enough, it’ll eventually become true.
It’s like painting a picture of a sunny day, while it’s still raining outside.
The reality is, moving on isn’t about relentlessly asserting that you’re over someone.
It’s about acknowledging the pain, navigating through it, and gradually healing. It’s about embracing the silence between the words and finding peace within it.
Next time you hear this phrase, remember, it might indicate a struggle to let go and a need for understanding and patience.
4) “It’s funny how…”
Ever noticed how some people start their sentences with this phrase when talking about their ex?
“It’s funny how she always forgot to turn off the lights.” “It’s funny how he never liked Thai food.”
Sounds familiar?
When this phrase repeatedly slips into conversations, it can be a subtle sign of unresolved feelings.
These seemingly harmless reminiscences can actually indicate that someone’s mind is still lingering in the past, cherishing these ‘funny’ quirks about their ex.
You see, when we’ve truly moved on, we don’t usually bring up these tiny details about our exes.
They become irrelevant, fading into the background as new memories occupy our minds.
If someone frequently steers conversations in this direction, it might suggest they’re not entirely over their past relationship.
They might still be mentally and emotionally invested in these ‘funny’ anecdotes, indicating a lingering attachment to their ex.
It’s not about judging or rushing someone to move on. It’s about understanding these subtle signs and offering compassion, patience, and space for healing.
5) “I was just thinking about them”
Isn’t it interesting how our minds wander when we’re not busy? These quiet moments often reveal what’s lingering in the corners of our subconscious.
When someone frequently says, “I was just thinking about them,” it could suggest that their ex occupies a significant amount of their mental space.
Even when they’re not consciously thinking about their past relationship, their mind subconsciously drifts towards their ex.
Scientists believe that our subconscious thoughts play a crucial role in our emotional well-being.
They’re like the hidden layer of an iceberg – what’s visible is only a fraction of what’s happening beneath the surface.
When someone is always ‘just thinking’ about their ex, they might not have fully processed their past relationship.
Their subconscious mind is still grappling with unresolved feelings, resulting in these frequent thoughts about their ex.
Understanding these subtle cues can help in acknowledging these hidden emotions and fostering a healthy path to moving on.
6) “I wonder how they’re doing”
Caring about someone’s well-being is a beautiful human trait, isn’t it?
However, when someone frequently wonders how their ex is doing, it might hint at unresolved feelings.
This phrase often surfaces from a place of concern, indicating that they still hold emotional ties to their ex.
It’s not about negating the act of caring or empathy.
Rather, it’s about recognizing when this concern is a subtle thread connecting them to their past relationship.
Moving on doesn’t mean you have to stop caring about your ex.
It simply means learning to care from a distance, without letting it affect your emotional well-being.
Next time you hear this phrase, be patient and understanding.
It’s not always easy to untangle the threads of past relationships. Sometimes, all we need is time and space to heal.
7) “I still miss them sometimes”
This is perhaps the most blatant yet subtly disguised phrase that indicates someone hasn’t fully moved on from their ex.
Missing someone is a natural part of the healing process. When this phrase becomes a recurring theme in conversations, it’s a clear sign that they’re still emotionally tied to their ex.
It’s important to remember that missing an ex isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It doesn’t mean you’re weak or unable to move on.
It simply means you’re human, experiencing human emotions.
What matters is recognizing these feelings, accepting them, and not letting them hinder your journey towards healing and personal growth.
Closing thoughts
It’s clear as daylight, isn’t it?
Navigating the realm of relationships and breakups is no easy task. It’s a labyrinth of emotions, a journey filled with turns and twists.
If you find yourself or someone you know echoing these phrases, take it as a sign. It’s an indication that they’re still walking the path towards healing, and that’s perfectly okay.
Moving on isn’t a race to the finish line. It’s a personal journey that unfolds at its own pace.
The key lies in cultivating self-awareness, understanding these subtle signs, and embarking on the path of healing with patience and self-compassion.
It’s equally important to be kind to others who might be stuck in the maze of their past relationships.
Offering understanding, patience, and space can go a long way in aiding their healing process.
As you step forward, remind yourself that it’s okay to look back, as long as you don’t lose sight of the path ahead.
After all, the journey is all about learning, growing, and moving forward at your own pace.
As famed writer Robert Frost once said – “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”
Here’s to moving on, growing stronger and embracing life with open arms.
