Is it normal to still love your ex after 2 years?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 24, 2026
Is it normal to still love your ex after 2 years? For some people it's normal to have lingering feelings for an ex after two or more years. If the relationship is truly over and neither of you is doing anything to make the other hold out hope for reconciliation, it is likely that these feelings will fade with time.
Why do I still have feelings for my ex 2 years later?
Sometimes, people are still thinking about their Ex for months, or even years after the relationship ended because of lingering insecurities or comparisons they're making — even subconsciously. This is often true when your Ex has moved on before you have.
Is it normal to still be in love with your ex after a year?
After a breakup, it is normal to have feelings for an ex still. Most likely, you've shared many intimate moments and memories. It's completely normal to love an ex still, especially if it is true love. After a time, that love can fade, especially if you meet someone new and you're falling in love again.
Can two exes get back together after years?
The results showed just 15% of people actually won their ex back, while 14% got back together just to break up again, and 70% never reconnected at all. But although it sounds like a small number, a few success stories showed how it is possible to work things out if you put the time and effort in.
Is it normal to not get over an ex for years?
"If it's been years [since your breakup], that is totally OK," he says. "But [the feeling of missing your ex] definitely is reflective of powerful meaning, that I would encourage you to utilize. A therapist can help you work through the messages that may be hiding beneath the feeling of longing for your ex."
41 related questions foundWill I ever forget my ex?
Unless a person is officially diagnosed with amnesia, no one forgets about an important relationship from the past. If the relationship significantly affected you, touched you, or changed the way you think about yourself, you will always remember it. This is especially true if you're a sensitive or nostalgic person.
What to do when you miss your ex after years?
20 Things to Do When You Miss Your Ex
- Think about the reasons ending the relationship was for the best.
- Don't hold your feelings inside.
- Take up journaling.
- Stay busy.
- Do not give in to the urge to call or text.
- Go out with friends.
- Focus on self-improvement.
- Consider whether you miss your ex.
How long do couples break up before getting back together?
We conducted a study on people who get their ex back and keep them and we found that most people who get their ex back and stay with their ex, took at least one month to get back together. In most cases, people reconciled within 1-6 months of breaking up.
Should I try again with my ex?
If you still feel that the relationship with your ex was something special and you are sure you are not just thinking this because you are afraid of losing your ex, then it's probably a good idea to try to get back with your ex. Again, in most cases, I recommend you do no contact and to heal from the breakup.
Can an ex fall back in love with you?
According to experts, it's totally possible, and it happens more than you might think. In most cases, it's totally possible to fall back in love with someone you used to date. It's hard to move on from an ex, and because they were such a big part of your life, it's totally normal to fall back in love, Trombetti says.
Will I always love ex?
It's 100% normal to still love your ex, even for a while after a breakup. That said, it's totally still painful, and we feel your struggle. If you just need to get your ex out of your mind, try some of these ways to stop thinking about someone.
How can I unlove my ex?
5 Ways to Move on From an Ex You Still Love
- Cut off all communication (Both direct and indirect) For the sake of your physical and mental health, this is the first thing you've got to do. ...
- Forgive the past. ...
- Let's get real. ...
- Understand that it's natural to still love your ex. ...
- Don't forget to love you.
Can you be friends with your ex if you still love them?
They may continue to love and care deeply about their former partners, though those feelings are no longer tied up with wanting to continue dating. As long as you wholeheartedly accept that the relationship is over and are actively moving on with your life, you can still maintain a friendship with an ex you love.
How do you know if your ex still loves?
Here are a few signs that mean your ex still loves you based on their new relationship. They get into a rebound relationship too fast. They post a lot of photos and status messages about their new girlfriend or new boyfriend on social media. It's obvious that your ex wants you to know about their new relationship.
Why do exes come back after years?
A good reason exes return after a breakup is that they seek validation and attention from the partners they left. They mostly show up when you start moving. If you stay where they left you, it might take time before they come around. Try to work on yourself to be a new person entirely.
Do long term relationships get back together?
In fact, a hefty 60 percent of couples report getting back together again, per Psychology Today. With the factors that drive individuals apart and then pull them back in vary as widely as the actual people in the relationship, it's hard to point to any general reasons why some pairings come with an on/off switch.
Do exes come back?
Yes, exes do come back. They do it all time. We conducted a study and found that around 30% of people get their exes back after a breakup. But out of those 30%, only 15% stay together in a healthy relationship.
Why do couples break up after 3 years?
Insecurity, jealousy and lack of trust: Couples break up because one partner feels unworthy of being loved. This insecurity can lead to possessiveness and dependence, which isn't healthy for either partner in the love relationship. Eventually, lack of trust and other negative feelings may deteriorate the relation.
What are the signs that my ex will come back?
13 Good Signs Your Ex Will Eventually Come Back To You
- You've caught them stalking you on social media. ...
- Your breakup was on amicable terms. ...
- They are already with a new partner. ...
- They prefer being single. ...
- They haven't returned your belongings. ...
- They call / text you when drunk. ...
- They keep meeting your friends.
Who hurts more after a breakup?
Women experience more emotional pain following a breakup than men, researchers have found. They reported higher levels of both physical and emotional pain. However, researchers also said that, over time, they came put stronger - while men simply moved on and never fully recover.
Can you still love someone after 20 years?
Yes, it is possible for two people to remain monogamous for twenty years. It can be done — of course it can — but there are lots of people out there who think they've done it but are mistaken.
How do I stop thinking about my ex after years?
- Distract yourself so you're literally too busy to even think about them. ...
- Establish some boundaries with yourself. ...
- Give yourself some time to feel sad, or mad, or angry, or literally whatever. ...
- Understand that you may still have lingering feelings for this person, and that's okay. ...
- Indulge in alllll the self care.
Why do I think about my ex from years ago?
Thinking about an ex is normal, and it doesn't mean you need to break up with the person you're dating. “It is natural for an emotion to bring up other experiences with similar emotions," she said. "The feelings might match, and in fact, we might realize that our first relationship led to this relationship."
Do guys think about their ex after a breakup?
Do guys think about their ex after a breakup? The short answer is sometimes no, but often yes. Men may miss their ex when regret hits them, when they see their ex looking better, hotter, and/or more successful than them, or when they see their ex with someone new.
Why am I still angry at my ex years later?
Key points. People may continue hating an ex because moving forward feels akin to forgiving the transgressor. Staying angry could be a way of taking revenge against an ex, or in other cases it could be a way to stay connected to the person. Detaching from an ex can be anxiety-provoking and require significant courage.