10 Signs You're Not Over Your Ex

In the aftermath of a breakup, it's common to be inundated with conflicting advice from all sides: Have a rebound fling! Hibernate for a week, while wearing sweatpants, eating ice cream and crying over bad romance movies! Go shopping and spend money you don't have! You deserve it! Considering the whirlwind of emotions you feel when a relationship ends, any of these behaviors are OK. But what comes after that? And are you even ready for it?

It can be difficult to tell if you're over an ex. After sharing a significant chunk of your life with someone, it makes sense that they'd remain perpetually in your thoughts, at least in some capacity. So how do you know if you've really put your past to rest, or if you're still mired in your last relationship? Here, 10 signs that you're not over him. 

1. Everything reminds you of him. You break into sobs every time you hear "your song." Your weekly date with Dr. House is just not the same without him. Not only that, but you have a running list of things you need to tell him when you see him, based upon everything exciting, hilarious and/or tragic that has occurred since you split. Because who else would you share these things with? Well, your best friend, for starters. Your mom. Your shrink. Or, gasp... a new man. Try to forget the lists, stop putting energy in the past and instead bond with the people who are actually in your life.

2. You're lashing out in public forums. You trash talk him on Twitter and Facebook. At last night's open mic night he appeared in your confessional poetry. And, honey, it would be better for all involved if you kept that song you wrote earlier today a secret. Because, while it's healthy to let out your feelings, if it's been several months and he's still inspiring your inner artiste, you're letting history take precedence over the right now. 5 Tips to Move On From a Painful Breakup

3. You're overcompensating. You dress up in the hopes you'll run into him and, when you do see him, you make your life seem really, really awesome. Because, obviously, you're better off without him and—dude!—he's gotta see what he's missing! And you've got to realize what you're missing in making him the center of your life.

4. You have no interest in that hot dude giving you the eye. You have men throwing themselves at you left and right, eager to love the pain away. But all those guys hitting on you at parties and bars? They seem pretty repulsive right now. When your ex calls, however, you pick up right away. (What? It could be important!) Try chatting up a new guy. You never know what could happen...

5. You compare everyone to him. Even if you think you're ready to start dating again, every time you meet a new guy, you make a list of all the ways he doesn't measure up to your ex. Once you're really over him, you'll measure men on their own merits.