10 Signs Your Ex Wasn’t the Better Option

Before entering a new relationship or even as you settle into one, it’s natural to reflect on past relationships and question whether you made the right decision to move on.

Regardless of how your previous relationship ended, doubts can linger, and you might worry if leaving was a mistake that could come back to haunt you.

When thinking about your ex, your feelings might range from mild curiosity to deep heartache, depending on your current relationship status.

If neither of you is in a new relationship, you might feel a strong pull to reconsider the past. If one of you has moved on while the other hasn’t, additional complexities arise, and emotions can become even more tangled.

And if both of you are now with other partners, it’s natural to wonder if your new path is truly the better one.

Sure Signs Your Ex Wasn’t the Better Option

But how can you be sure that ending things with your ex was the right choice? How do you know if you’re on the path to a more fulfilling future or if the door you closed was one that should have remained open?

Here are some signs that can help you understand whether your ex wasn’t the better option:

1. You Have Grown as a Person Since the Breakup: If you’ve discovered new things about yourself and improved your life since the breakup, it suggests that the relationship might have been holding you back. Personal growth is a strong indicator that you made the right choice.
2. Your Ex Has Different Life Goals: If your ex’s success stems from goals and ambitions that never aligned with yours, it’s a clear sign that staying together wouldn’t have led to mutual happiness. Sometimes, what appears as their success might actually highlight deeper incompatibilities.
3. Your Current Relationship Has More Mutual Respect and Support: If your current partner respects and supports you more than your ex did, it indicates that you are now in a healthier and more beneficial relationship. The quality of support and respect in a relationship is crucial for long-term happiness.
4. You See a Future with Your Current Partner: If you can envision a happy and fulfilling future with your current partner, it means they are a better fit for you than your ex. A clear vision of the future together is a strong sign that you are on the right path.
5. Your Friends and Family See You Happier Now: Often, those close to you can notice changes in your happiness that you might not see. If your friends and family observe that you are happier now, it’s a sign that your current relationship is better for you.
6. You No Longer Miss the Relationship: If you find that you no longer miss your ex or the relationship you had, it’s a strong indicator that you’ve moved on and that your current path is more suitable for you. The absence of longing is a sign of healing and acceptance.
7. Your Values Have Changed or Strengthened: If your values have evolved or become more defined since the breakup, and they don’t align with your ex’s values, it shows that you have grown in ways that would make a relationship with your ex incompatible.
8. You Have Better Conflict Resolution Now: If you find that you and your current partner handle disagreements more constructively than you did with your ex, it suggests that your current relationship is healthier. Good conflict resolution is key to a lasting and fulfilling relationship.
9. Your Ex Brings Back Negative Feelings: If thinking about your ex brings up negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, or anger, it’s a sign that the relationship was not beneficial for your mental health and well-being.
10. You Have Rediscovered Passions and Interests: If you have reconnected with hobbies and interests that you neglected during your past relationship, it indicates that you have regained a sense of individuality and joy that was missing before.

Overcome the Feelings of the Past

Reflecting on these signs can provide clarity and reassurance that you made the right decision by moving on from your ex and that your current or future relationship has the potential to be much more fulfilling and aligned with your personal growth and happiness.

Understand that, it’s natural to have doubts and wonder about the “what ifs,” but holding onto the past can hinder your ability to fully embrace the present.

Trusting in your journey and recognizing the positive changes in your life since the breakup is essential for healing and moving forward.

Endeavor to focus on the lessons learned and the person you have become.

Use these reflections not as a way to dwell on what could have been, but as a way to appreciate where you are now and the growth you’ve achieved.

By doing so, you can overcome the lingering feelings of the past and build a future that truly reflects your values, desires, and potential for happiness.

Cheers to a more fulfilling life with your present or next partner!