The rules for dating your ex again aren’t the same as dating someone new. You have a romantic history together and that changes the whole dynamics of; approaching, asking for a date and entering into a relationship.
The secure attachment model used consistently throughout my site allows you to approach your ex with confidence; and without anxiety (anxious attachment), fear of rejection (fearful avoidant attachment) or using rejecting behaviours (dismissive avoidant attachment).
Here are the 8 simple rules for dating your ex that can help you make the experience a positive one; and attract your ex back.
No. 1 rule for dating your ex – Make sure you are emotionally available
So much hurt, regret, anger and fear can make you emotionally unavailable on virtually every level imaginable. If it is likely that you will fail because of a sense of inadequacy/ insecurity, neediness, desperation, guilt, anger, jealousy etc. then don’t even start trying to attract your ex back. In this state, you are not at your best and you are not thinking clearly and rationally.
The amount of time and effort it takes for each person to once again become emotionally available differs according to the time and effort each wastes ranting, cyberstalking and playing stupid min games with the hope that your ex will miss you.
No. 2 rule for dating your ex – Take responsibility for your part in the break-up and learn from your mistakes
Whether you admit it or not you contributed to the problems in the relationship in some small or large way. Own up and accept your mistakes for what they are; precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way. When you blame your ex, other people, God or the universe, you distance yourself from any possible lesson and acceleration of progress. But if you courageously stand up and honestly say, “This is my mistake and I am responsible” even if only privately to yourself; you will see a way forward instead of being stuck in the past.
And just as you learn when to not fall into the same hole when you’re walking around the block, you have more chance of success when you can avoid the same mistakes next time round the block.
No. 3 rule for dating your ex – Keep the lines of communication open
Really take the time to focus your attention on your ex as a unique individual, and use each and every contact as an opportunity to make an emotional connection. Just being fully present and attentively listening to your ex and what is really going on in their life– feelings, needs, secrets, hopes, fears, embarrassments, expectations — and then responding with empathy provides the safety and reassurance needed to create emotional intimacy. By doing this, the other person feels seen, heard, validated and cared for.
No. 4 rule for dating your ex – Work on yourself and change what needs to change
You probably have heard that, “before anyone can love you, you must love yourself”. Be honest with yourself, what could you have done better or not done at all? How can you be a better partner if you get back together? Remember before your ex you even think of giving the relationship another chance; your ex must believe and feel that things will better. If you can demonstrate to them that the new relationship is better than the old one, you have a much better chance at getting back together.
No. 5 rule for dating your ex – Do not assume anything, always seek to understand and be understood
Always ask your ex for clarification if you are not too sure about what your ex is saying; and be open to several explanations, perspectives and solutions. Look outside the box and see if the two of you can agree on the important stuff and let the small stuff take care of themselves. On some issues, you will have to give in. On other issues, you will have to ask your ex to do something that will bring a calmer perspective to the situation as well as new ideas.
No. 6 rule for dating your ex – Don’t try to recreate the same relationship instead create one that is better than the old one
You can not start a new relationship with your ex from where the old one ended. The end of a relationship is literary the death of it. The attraction and feelings you have for each other may still be the same but the relationship you had ended. And precisely because of that painful experience you are no longer the same people. The very experience of breaking-up changes who you are, who you think the other is and how you see reality. Because you are no longer the same people, look at this experience as two new people, starting a new relationship together.
You’ll find it much easier and you are more likely to get a more positive outcome if you give up the idea of trying to fix or recover an old relationship and instead try to create a new and better one.
No. 7 rule for dating your ex – Focus on the positive instead of focusing on the negative
It’s impossible to make a positive impression and meaningful influence when you’re recalling negative emotions and constantly bringing up bad memories. And it’s self-defeating (and stupid) to be trying to attract back your ex while at the same time you are blaming, criticizing, lecturing and even arguing with them. Nobody likes to defend themselves or be forced into a corner. That’s just too much unnecessary stress.
If your ex’s actions bother you, change the way you respond. Sometimes simply changing how you react or respond, changes the whole dynamics of the situation.
No. 8 rule for dating your ex – Do not rush or try to force anything
Be realistic about your situation and what can be achieved in a given time. Trying to put everything on fast forward is a huge mistake that slows down the process; and even permanently halts it. Just because you want your ex back so bad, does NOT mean they feel the same about you at that point in time. As a general rule of thumb, if they haven’t responded to your attempts at making contact after three to four tries and you know they have access to phones, email and the internet, let it go and stop trying. You are not doing the fearful-avoidant “no contact” go-to thing, you are simply acknowledging that you have done as much as you possibly can, and the outcome is the same (they’re not responding).
Your ex might well surprise you. It is better to be pleasantly surprised than disappointed because you didn’t act when you should have.
Now that you know the 8 simple rules for dating your ex go get back your ex! It’s not going to be easy. There will be a lot of work to do and you’ll meet with some resistance from time to time. Just remember there are so many men and women out there who have done it!
RELATED:
8 Simple Rules For Contacting Your Ex (Secure Attachment Model)
Hi! I’m in the middle of a breakup and considering to redate my soon to be ex. I want to thank you for putting together some important and crucial tips . It gave me a better perspective on how to go about making it a successful attempt to hopefully save what we have. Thank you!