It’s hard to see the signs sometimes.
You might be tempted to take your ex’s word for it that they’re living life to the fullest, doing their best not to let you get them down.
But are they really? Or is there something more going on here?
If you suspect that your ex is in a rebound relationship, read this complete guide and find out if your suspicion was right all along.
Here’s what you need to know about how to tell for sure:
1) They took virtually no time to jump into another relationship
To begin with, this sign is quite revealing and easy to identify.
Taking an immediate interest in someone new… is something that exes typically do not do.
Usually, when they get out of a relationship, they take the time to gain their strength and heal before jumping into another one. Just like you.
However, some people simply don’t want to be alone. They don’t want to experience the pain that comes with a breakup.
In addition, there are those exes who just want to forget about their past relationship and the person they broke up with. They don’t care who they become involved with as long as they can have a new experience.
These are the people who will jump into a rebound relationship immediately after their breakup.
So, if you see your ex with someone new shortly after your breakup, chances are that they are in a rebound relationship.
2) Your ex shows off their new partner every chance they get
Listen, if your ex is posting tons of pictures of them with their new partner on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, chances are that they are in a rebound relationship.
And if they are uploading their moments with this person on their Snapchat stories… they definitely are.
Unless they did the exact same thing with you, do not fall for this one.
The way they act says that something isn’t right. Exaggerating about the relationship and keeping everyone updated shows that they are trying too hard.
In addition to that, they’ve already introduced their new partner to friends and family, which is not at all typical.
In general, people don’t want to skip relationship steps without a good reason, correct?
A rebound relationship is one that your ex wants everyone to know about. This can be quite annoying, but it’s nothing compared to the next sign…
3) They rub their new relationship in your face
Your ex is not doing anything to hide the fact that they are in a relationship. In fact, they might even be showing off their relationship, trying to make you jealous.
This is really not cool. You’re going through a lot of emotions during a breakup, and your ex’s actions should not add to it.
In short, if they’re bragging about their new partner every chance they get, it might be because they want you to feel bad.
Or, if they’re doing this, it means that they are doing so without any regard for how you are feeling or what you’re going through. This is not something that a mature ex would do.
So, watch out for this one, and be especially cautious if you’re in a situation where your ex is using their new partner to get back at you.
4) Your ex’s new partner is really different from you
Want to know another sign that your ex is in a rebound relationship?
It’s super simple and easy to recognize.
If your ex’s new partner is nothing like you, (especially in personality) chances are that they are just looking for someone to fill the void. This is especially true if your ex was in a serious relationship with you for quite some time. The breakup might be very recent, but this is still common.
You and your ex were probably similar in many ways, so it’s no wonder that they’re looking for someone really different now. This person will be able to provide them with the type of change they’re looking for.
So, when you see your ex with another person that’s very different from you, don’t worry too much. Your ex is just looking for a rebound, not something serious.
5) Their relationship is moving really fast
This is another very easy sign to identify and understand.
Let me explain!
The pace at which a relationship progresses is pretty much dependent on the people involved.
However, it’s not common for two people to get serious right away and quickly make plans for the future.
But, if you notice that your ex’s new relationship is moving at an extremely fast pace, it might be due to them wanting to move on from their past relationship as fast as they can.
At the same time, it might also mean that they’re not thinking things through properly.
A rebound is a complicated thing, and it usually takes a while for people to realize what they’re doing.
Chances are, if it’s happening too fast, it might not be for real. They might be caught in a fantasy world, wearing rose-colored glasses.
6) You know that your ex usually gets involved in rebound relationships
Well, this is not really a sign because I need you to remember something:
Has he/she ever talked about their past relationships and how they usually move on?
If they have mentioned this to you, did they mention how they usually go into rebound relationships?
In case they did talk about rebound relationships and their past, you should know what to expect when it comes to their new relationship.
Fair warning: Some people don’t realize that they are in a rebound relationship because for them, this just feels normal.
However, if you’re aware of how they usually act at the end of their relationships and when they start dating someone new, then this becomes easier to identify.
Now, keep in mind that every person is different and has different behaviors. But it’s still possible to identify patterns and signs that usually mean your ex is in another rebound relationship.
7) There is advice for your specific situation with your ex
While the signs in this article will help you understand whether your ex is in a rebound relationship, it can be helpful to speak to a relationship coach about your situation.
With a professional relationship coach, you can get advice tailored to the specific issues you’re facing in your love life.
Relationship Hero is a site where highly trained relationship coaches help people navigate complex and difficult love situations, like breakups and rebound relationships. They’re popular because they genuinely help people solve problems.
Why do I recommend them?
Well, after going through difficulties in my own love life, I reached out to them a few months ago. After feeling helpless for so long, they gave me unique insight into the dynamics of my relationship, including practical advice on how to overcome the issues I was facing.
I was blown away by how genuine, understanding, and professional they were.
In just a few minutes, you can connect with a certified relationship coach and get tailor-made advice specific to your situation.
8) Their friends are surprised… in a bad way
Let’s get one thing straight:
Rebound relationships are not as common as you might think they are, and not even best friends pick up on them from the beginning.
At first, their friends might be initially happy for them because they think that it’s a good idea for them to move on as soon as possible so that they can start over fresh.
What happens next?
Your ex’s friends start seeing through the relationship and realize that there’s something weird going on.
So, if you notice that your ex’s friends are surprised, it might just mean that they’re wondering why your ex is moving at such a fast pace.
What they’re seeing is unusual because most of the time, people don’t jump into relationships right away and get serious about them so quickly.
9) Your ex looks and acts a lot different than before
Your ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend changed something about their appearance and even their personality.
But wait, is this normal?
Something like this is not normal because it’s too much change for someone who is only starting to date.
People change their appearance and personality as they get older and as they go through new experiences. However, this is different.
Why? Because your ex changed themselves to appear a certain way to their new partner. At the same time, they might not be aware of how this looks to others.
But, it’s a sign that gives them away.
How long does a rebound relationship usually last?
Rebound relationships can last for as long as each person is interested in one another.
However, how long does a rebound relationship usually last?
Generally, they can last anywhere from a few days to a few months. This might seem really short, and it is. However, it’s still enough time to realize that this isn’t going to work out in the long run.
Your ex’s real feelings could come out and they might be left heartbroken.
More than likely, when your ex is involved in a rebound, they’re going to realize over time that they’re not actually happy, and they might finally be able to understand why their last relationship ended.
So, depending on the person, their rebound relationship is usually going to end if they are not happy.
Why? Because this is when it becomes clear that they were lying to themselves and that their feelings for their new partner are different from how they were with you. Once this happens, it’s usually impossible for them to continue that relationship and make it work.
Does no contact work if your ex is in a rebound relationship?
This is a very common question that people wonder about, and the answer is… It depends.
The no contact rule is something that you should use after a breakup, but it can also be effective if your ex is currently in a rebound relationship.
So, if your ex has started dating someone else, you should still distance yourself from them.
I did this for myself when my ex and I broke up for the second time. I followed the no contact rule because it seemed like the right thing to do. But after a while, I realized that my ex was with someone else and that there was nothing I could do.
In your case, you should use the no contact rule as usual and get on with your life. By doing so, you’ll be able to move on much easier, and if you’re interested in someone else, you should let your new relationship progress so that you can move on from what’s happening with your ex.
Is my ex’s rebound serious?
Numerous relationship coaches say that when people are in a rebound relationship, they’re usually not serious about their new partner.
Why? Because what they really want is to get over their ex.
When someone wants to get over their ex and then goes on to date someone new, this is usually a sign that it’s going to end badly.
To be totally honest with you, it’s not going to last.
However, this is all different from rebound relationships that are solid and serious. These relationships are exceptions, and in order for them to work, certain aspects must be met.
For example, both should be able to overcome their issues when it comes to their relationships. Or, both should have similar goals, values, and mindsets.
So, if your ex and their new partner meet all of the above, they’re going to be able to make their relationship work.
Personally, I think that’s highly unlikely. However, you never know when a rebound turns into something more.
How does a rebound end?
So far, we’ve talked about the various characteristics of a rebound relationship. But, now it’s time to talk about how it usually ends.
A rebound relationship usually ends in multiple ways, such as:
- They decide to move on and actually start their next serious relationship with someone else. This is the most common scenario.
- A breakup between them because they realize that they’re not compatible.
- The end of their relationship may be caused by a third party, such as an ex (like you).
In this case, your ex might realize that they were too hasty and too fast to begin dating someone new. As a result, they’ll start to realize what they’re doing is wrong.
They might also realize that they still have feelings for you and that their rebound relationship is not going to work.
On top of that, they might even do something that’s pretty obvious, like speak to you personally and apologize. If so, they’ll probably be willing to explain why they’re doing this and what the main issue is.
