A rebound relationship is one that starts shortly after a breakup. It usually involves someone who is trying to forget about their ex by moving on to someone new before healing from their previous relationship.

While there’s nothing wrong with rebound relationships, they often don’t last very long. If you’re wondering if your ex is in a rebound relationship, there are a few tell-tale signs to look for. So read more and find out what these are!

5 signs that your ex is in a rebound relationship:

1. Your ex met their new partner after the breakup and not before:

If your ex knew their new partner from before they broke up with you then it’s a sign that this relationship is more just a temporary or short-lived rebound. In other words, if your ex and their new partner were friends or even just acquaintances from before they even broke up with you, then it could mean that your ex could have had an eye on that person all along.

In this case, your ex may have planned or even fantasized about being with that person instead and from the start. Who knows, they may have even broken up with you just to pursue that person. And, even though this can sound infuriating it is still better than having kept you around and cheated on you with that person. So they chose to just leave you instead and pursue that person, which they did successfully if they are now in a relationship with someone they’ve known all along.

However, if your ex and the person that they’re with now have met only recently and after their breakup with you then it could mean that it is a rebound relationship. That’s because if your ex was quick to meet someone new and skip all the steps to get in a relationship with them then it could have all happened on a whim. In fact, all it could be is your ex is trying to numb the pain that came from breaking up with you.

If they didn’t know their new partner from before, then they may have selected the first person they met that seemed decent enough and started a relationship with them. Of course, in such a scenario it means that the relationship your ex started has a high chance of being nothing more than a rebound.

2. The relationship started soon after they first met:

Another telling factor is if the relationship started soon after they first met. One of the most obvious signs that your ex is in a rebound relationship is the timing of when the relationship started. If they started dating someone new very soon after they met them and without taking the time for a proper courtship and chase, then it’s likely that they’re just trying to fill the void that was left by you.

Relationships that were not built on a playful chase and courtship, can quickly become boring and meaningless, which also explains why rebound relationships fail. Your ex may have not been ready to move on, but they’re using another person as a way to avoid being alone. This isn’t fair obviously, but most exes do this unconsciously and without intentions to harm anyone but it’s likely that the rebound relationship won’t last.

If you’re wondering if your ex is in a rebound relationship, pay attention to how long it’s been since your breakup and how quickly they started seeing someone new. Unless they were flirting and easing their way to that person’s heart from before they even broke up with you, there would have been no courtship.

If your ex didn’t have time for courtship or didn’t take the time to take interest in their new partner and gradually try to impress them, flirt with them and win them over; then it could mean that the relationship will be quick to end.

3. Your ex is not over you:

Another big sign that your ex is in a rebound relationship is if your ex is not over you. If your ex is constantly trying to reach out or talk about you or if they bring up memories of your past together, it’s a sign that your ex is still holding onto feelings for you.

Additionally, if your ex goes out of their way to avoid seeing you or speaking to you, it’s another sign that your ex is not ready to move on. But, in such a case they are taking the right steps to help themselves heal and move on and may be capable of doing so soon enough with enough distance and patience.

If you still have feelings for your ex or if you think that the break-up was a mistake; then they may still have feelings for you too and share the same opinion. In fact, they may have gotten into a new relationship just to get back at you or make you jealous. But, even then you’ll have to respect their new partner and your ex’s choice to be with them and wait patiently to see whether the relationship lasts and becomes serious.

Rebound relationships can be difficult to watch from the sidelines, but it’s important to remember that they are often just a way for people to deal with grief and heartbreak. So if your ex is truly just in a rebound relationship, then it most likely will end very soon and you will get the chance to reach out and see if they have any feelings left for you. In time, your ex will hopefully realize that their rebound relationship is not what they truly needed, but that’s only if their new relationship is truly nothing but a rebound.

4. Your ex doesn’t seem to be too invested in their new relationship:

If your ex is in a rebound relationship, there’s a good chance that they’re not going to be too invested in the relationship. Oftentimes, people in rebound relationships are simply looking for someone to fill the void left by their previous partner.

As a result, they often don’t take the time to get to know their new partner very well, and they may not be as invested in the relationship as they should be. If you notice that your ex seems indifferent or even bored with their new partner, it could be a sign that they’re just in it for the short term.

So look closer and analyze their new relationship properly. You must know your ex very well and know what they’re like when they’re in love. So do you see any signs of your ex trying to spoil and take good care of their new partner? Do you see your ex going out of their way to please their new partner or adapting to a new lifestyle and routine just to make them happy? If the answer is yes then it is probably not a rebound.

But, if your ex seems to only ever want to do something nice for their partner when they know that you’ll come to learn about it or just to rub it in your face; then it could mean that they’re in it for the wrong reasons.

5. Your ex’s new partner doesn’t seem to be looking for something serious:

If your ex managed to quickly get in a relationship with someone they have just met then it’s likely that their new partner is not looking for something serious. They may be dating for fun, or maybe they’re simply not ready to enter into a committed relationship.

So try and analyze your ex’s new partner and their behavior or habits. Do they seem to just want to have fun and to just have stumbled on your ex while looking for someone to play around with? Or are they actually someone looking for stability or a long-term committed relationship?

If your ex’s new partner is in it for a quick adventure or a fling they may be reckless and less worried about the image of their couple online. However, if they seem to be proud to have your ex as their new partner and show them off everywhere or if they try to build a nice image and reputation for the couple online; then they could be after something more.

In the end, people date for different reasons, but if your ex seems happy and content in their new relationship, it’s possible that even a rebound relationship could turn into something more. If your ex was the one to dump you then the real question to ask would be whether dumpers go back to the previous relationship after a rebound. But, if you were the one to dump your ex; then this will teach you not to act quickly and make a life-altering decision when you’re not sure about your feelings.

In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed, and let’s hope that your ex’s new relationship is nothing but a rebound that will eventually fail, like most of them do anyway!