Why Do Men Come Back After No Contact?

Why do men come back after no contact

If you’re wondering why men come back after no contact, it’s not because their ex waited 30, 60, 90, or any pre-set number of days. Waiting doesn’t do much for the dumper, apart from allowing him or her to cool off a little.

Reconciliations require much more than time. They require the dumper to improve his or her perception of the dumpee. And the dumper can do that through self-reflection.

The most straightforward reason dumpers come back is that they fail to find happiness without the dumpee and suffer the consequences of their actions. They basically realize that the life they chose is emotionally unfulfilling, draining, and challenging and that they were much more content when they relied on their ex for basic wants and needs.

Nothing makes dumpers more regretful than the realization that they took an amazing person for granted and that they messed up so bad things will never go back to normal. It’s the thought of never experiencing what they used to have that triggers their fear of missing out and being forgotten.

Fear and pain allow them to conclude that the breakup was their fault.

They force dumpees to start changing their thinking patterns and their opinion of their ex. When that happens, they no longer think poorly of their ex and despise their ex. Suddenly, they respect, admire, and crave their ex’s attention and affection.

They wish to go back to the way they felt when they felt secure and loved by their ex. Those days mean more to them than their current situation because they remember how nice it felt to feel secure, loved, and that they had a future.

They just didn’t appreciate these things because they hadn’t learned the importance of being grateful.

If you think about it, you’ll realize that dumpers leave and come back for the same selfish reasons. They leave when things get tough and come back when things get tough. The only difference is that they leave because they have other options and come back when they have no other option.

In simple terms, reconciliations are their safety cushions. They allow them to instantly rewind time and undo their mistakes. If only it were that simple for dumpees. Dumpees have to suffer for weeks, months, or even years before they get another chance with their ex.

Many dumpees never get a chance. They hope and wait in vain because their ex never learns the lessons he or she needs to learn. Consequently, their ex moves on with someone else and hurts the dumpee.

Sadly, this happens because dumpers have full control over the situation. They have power from the day of the breakup (or even before the breakup, depending on the relationship) until the second they discover that leaving their ex was a big mistake.

When they discover their ex’s importance, they also tend to realize their mistakes and develop the drive to work on their mistakes.

Of course, some dumpers don’t see their flaws and how those flaws brought about their relationship’s collapse. But that’s why dumpers need to be “interviewed” and accepted back on a trial period. Dumpers need to prove that their love and commitment to the relationship are strong.

And they can do that with effort, time, affection, and consistency.

When dumpers come back, they shouldn’t have power and doubts. They should put you in charge and be 100% certain they want to be with you. That’s how you can tell that they’ve come back for you and not just to take things from you.

Yes, men come back after no contact to take things from you. No human being is 100% selfless. There is no such thing as we all do what looks and feels right to us.

But if dumpers come back, communicate with you as if the breakup was all your fault, and make it look like they’re doing you a favor, you can be certain the relationship won’t last.

It will fall apart rather quickly because they’ll leave the moment they’ve gotten what they’d set out to get.

Some of the wrong things dumpers come back for are:

  • guilt/forgiveness
  • pity
  • loneliness
  • boredom
  • emotional support
  • sex
  • finances
  • doubt

Dumpers need to come back after no contact for the right reasons (love, respect, regret, anxiety, fear, nostalgia, and desire to be an equal partner).

They need to let their ex be in control of the relationship for a while and do as their ex says.

After they’ve proven their commitment, however, they need to start doing both – giving and taking. By investing and withdrawing from the relationship, they must even out the interest and power.

This allows them to be equal partners and prevents them from losing interest and respect.

In this article, we discuss why men come back after no contact and what after no contact even means.

Why do men come back after no contact

Why do men come back after no contact?

Some dumpees think that no contact ends after a certain number of days and that they can contact their ex and reconcile the moment it ends. They think they can single-handedly make their ex feel nostalgic and that they can guide their ex back into the relationship.

Such dumpees, unfortunately, fell prey to fake breakup coaches who convinced them that getting back with an ex is all about the right timing, not the things their ex needs to experience to feel regret, fear, nostalgia, etc.

As a result, they anxiously held on to hope and convictions that they’ll be able to reconnect with their ex when no contact ends. What hopeful dumpees don’t understand is that they have less power to influence their ex than the people on the internet made them think.

They lack control over their ex’s thoughts and emotions because their ex is his or her own person. Their ex has different experiences, mentality, coping mechanisms, and behaviors, which implies that dumpees can’t predict when or if their ex will go through all the breakup stages, have an epiphany, and improve his or her perception of the dumpee.

That’s why instead of holding on to hope and notions that they can reason with their ex when the time is right, dumpees must work on accepting the end of the relationship. They must come to terms with it so they can detach, self-prioritize, grow, and appear more confident and attractive to their ex.

If they don’t look self-sufficient, their ex won’t desire their personality. Their ex won’t yearn for it because their ex won’t have anything valuable to give.

So before you get excited and think that men come back after no contact because dumpees reach out to them and use some secret technique to draw them back in, remember that reconciliations seldom happen on dumpees’ terms.

When they do happen on dumpees’ terms, it’s because the dumper was playing the power game and was eventually going to come back on his or her own. That means the dumper was going to reach out first and give the dumpee his or her power back.

It was only a matter of time.

The dumper needs to humble himself and work on his shortcomings for the relationship to go down a different path.

Anyway, there are many reasons why dumpers come back after no contact (on their own). One of those reasons is reflection. Dumpers who try to make it on their own but fail, tend to experience pain, and as a result, obsess about their pain.

They also reflect on their reasons for failure and look for quick solutions. Oftentimes, these solutions involve getting back with their ex as the easiest way for them to deal with their problems and unwanted emotions is to feel loved.

A romantic reconciliation not only helps them distract themselves from their problems but also empowers them with validation and hope. It makes it easier for them to accept themselves and have something positive to look forward to.

So if you’d like to know why men come back after no contact, it’s because things don’t go well for them. They thought they could ignore their problems and be single or with someone else.

But when put theory into practice, they learned that imagination and expectations are far from reality and that they will have to face the consequences of their actions.

Believe it or not, romantic failures or the lack of romantic success is one of the most common reasons why men come back after no contact. Regretful men tend to overestimate their ability to have successful relationships with other people.

That’s why the second they get rejected or experience issues they didn’t foresee, they realize they’re a big part of the problem and that they won’t be as happy as they’d thought. Suddenly, they understand they’ll have to work on themselves and the relationships they commit to.

This alone isn’t enough for them to come running back. But if their new partner or the people they date keep hurting and disappointing them, they could engage in reflection and determine that what they had with their ex wasn’t perfect, but that it could have been fixed.

Three of the most common romantic letdowns that make men regret leaving their ex are:

  1. relationship problems
  2. breakups
  3. difficulties finding a compatible dating partner

If men have a hard time forming new relationships, bonding, or communicating, they may become doubtful, hit a low point, and become nostalgic. Consequently, they could start comparing their new partner/s to their ex and wondering if their ex could fill their void.

If their ex used to be supportive, loving, and caring, they desire these perks, develop feelings, and put their faith in their ex. That’s when they finally reach out, end no contact, and express the desire to see their ex.

The dumpee doesn’t need to do anything to make it easier for the dumper to return. The dumper doesn’t have much if any pride when regret and anxiety kick in, so the dumper can easily converse with the dumpee and apologize for his wrongdoings.

He is powerless. And powerless people can beg and plead if they want their ex back badly enough.

No contact helps dumpees look better. It doesn’t eliminate dumpers’ negative perceptions (at least not all of them), but it does demonstrate that dumpees respect themselves and that they won’t beg anyone for love.

When regret kicks in, this is enough for dumpers to redevelop romantic feelings and do what they need to do to get back together.

With that said, here’s why men come back after no contact.

Why men come back after no contact

It’s okay to trust no contact as no contact is the most successful reconciliation method. But try not to see no contact (especially the 30-day no contact rule) as a technique that will undoubtedly make your ex miss you and want to be with you.

Although absence could make your ex miss you, it probably won’t make your ex miss you romantically. It will probably just make your ex curious about you and slightly nostalgic.

To want you back, your ex needs to be very nostalgic. He needs to reminisce about the good times and feel a strong desire to experience those times again.

And your ex will want to re-experience those times if things go so badly for your ex that your ex can’t go forward in life without going backward first. By getting back with you, your ex would be able to fix the current issues and then focus on the future again.

Do men and women come back for the same reasons?

Men and women become regretful for the same reasons. Both genders see that the present they’ve created doesn’t measure up to the standards of life they had when they were with their ex.

That’s why they come running back faster than lightning and try to get back together very quickly. They don’t have much patience because they’re hurting and need their ex to ease their pain.

The thing that makes breakups so challenging is that it takes (male and female) dumpers a long time to realize they shouldn’t have dumped their ex. It takes them months, years, or even decades because dumpers don’t actively work on their problems.

They prefer to ignore problems, project their problems onto their ex, and focus on enjoying their post-breakup relief. This helps them stay away from drama and allows them to live in fantasy.

Some dumpers, unfortunately, never escape their fantasy world. They like to play the blame game and by doing so, avoid responsibility and the need to grow. Holding their ex accountable for their feelings and the breakup empowers them.

It helps them feel they’re right and in complete control of their life.

The reason they come back afterward is that something unwanted and painful happens. Something or someone forcefully brings them back to reality and cripples their confidence and self-esteem.

Because self-esteem and happiness take ages to rebuild, dumpers then finally acknowledge their mistakes, get tired of suffering alone, and ask their ex to help them resolve their problems. They ask their ex this indirectly so as not to appear too desperate.

Men may express love slightly differently than women, but that doesn’t mean they want different things than women. Just like women, they too want security, love, and emotional support. They’re human beings with wants and needs.

Don’t expect men to come back just because they hadn’t got it on in a while. That’s the biggest misconception about guys.

Also, don’t expect women to return just because their biological clock is ticking and they want kids.

Ask yourself what men and women want from a romantic relationship. Not what their life goals are but how they want to feel. When you answer that question, you’ll know that your ex needs to feel a certain way to want you back.

Regardless of gender, your ex must feel a desire to give and receive love. Without this feeling, your ex won’t come back or won’t stay long. Either way, it’s in your best interest to stay in no contact and wait for your ex to develop a different impression of you.

You don’t know if your ex will ever see you differently, but if he does, rest assured that he’ll reach out and try to get back with you. In the meantime, stay patient and let your ex do the necessary work.

What to do when he comes back after no contact?

When he comes back after no contact, you shouldn’t do too much. You shouldn’t roll out the red carpet and make your ex feel like you’ve been expecting him. The dumper mustn’t know how eager you’ve been to reconnect.

He mustn’t know you’ve done no contact just to reconnect as a couple. At least not right away. It’s better for his respect and attraction to you that you appear emotionally strong and independent.

When your ex comes back after no contact, the first thing you should do is figure out why your ex came back. What or who made your ex realize that the relationship was worth another chance?

If your ex doesn’t have a valid reason for coming back, your ex will likely leave again. He won’t develop the mentality needed for maintaining a romantic relationship and falling back in love.

He’ll only stay for as long as he feels good. And he’ll feel good for a week or two or until old problems reappear.

You need to make sure your ex’s shortcomings are gone or that your ex is actively working on them. If your ex is ignoring them, you shouldn’t get back with your ex. You should stop your ex right away and resume no contact.

If you conclude that your ex deserves another chance, tell your ex what you want him to change and work on. This is the perfect time for you to express your unmet needs and expectations. A regretful ex shouldn’t have any problems addressing your concerns and making you feel comfortable.

As a dumpee, you should keep an eye on your ex’s progress and slowly return your ex’s power so that your ex feels respected as an equal partner.

Do this after a couple of weeks or after your ex has regained your trust. Just don’t pretend like the breakup never happened. Especially if your ex left you for someone else and ignored your feelings.

I hope this article helped you understand why men come back after no contact. If it did, leave a comment below the post. And if it didn’t, share your views and ask questions. Expect a reply from us soon.

Lastly, if you’d like to talk to us about men during or after no contact, get in touch with us via our 1-on-1 coaching program.

See you next time!

14 thoughts on “Why Do Men Come Back After No Contact?”

  1. So as always the most straightforward reason dumpers come back is that they fail to find happiness without the dumpee and suffer the consequences of their actions, in a way it’s for themself.
    thank you a lot Zan for those healthy ways of thinking

  2. My ex dumped me a few years ago and I’ve been consistently in no contact. He has reached out a few times a year (breadcrumbs) and I respond politely/ succinctly and remain in no contact otherwise and never initiate contact. Last week, he reached out and we talked for hours and it was an easy conversation oddly. He was full of apologies, nostalgia, mentioned how he cares about me and wants to see me and said his life is better with me in it. I surmise he wants to be friends because he’s dating other people (but no significant other at this time). I have a feeling he’s going through some rough patch although he didn’t say so specifically. I’m not sure how to interpret his comments. He wants to stay in touch. He got information out of me that I shouldn’t have provided which is that I’m not in a relationship now. Is this just more breadcrumbing?

    1. Hi M.

      It’s hard for me to say if it’s more than breadcrumbing because nostalgia and regrets are also signs of romantic regret. This is is something time will tell rather quickly. If he wants you back, you can expect him to come back in a matter of days. If he doesn’t, he’s just going through something difficult.

      Sincerely,
      Zan

  3. Hi Zan,

    Love your articles; they’ve been very helpful.

    My ex-boyfriend broke up with me after a year in February. To be fair, neither of us were happy back then, but I was willing to work things out and he wasn’t. At that time, I didn’t know about NC or such, but I always believed that if something ended, there was no going back. So I moved on, blocked his number for a while, and started dating other people. After a month of no contact, he started calling and texting. After one of our conversations, I told him I was dating other people, and he said he never gave up on the relationship we had; he had to readjust things in his life so we could be back together. I do not believe that. But he was very sweet; he sent chocolates and flowers, insisted on going on dates, said he loved me, even wrote a song for me, and he wanted us to move in together. This lasts for about a month. And I fell for it. I believed everything he said; I believed he loved me, and eventually we got back together. He was always sweet and loving when we got back together, but we didn’t have a lot of time or money to always see each other.
    Then, after another month, he broke up with me again. He said that nothing has changed the way he wanted; he still loves me and always will, but he won’t wait for the changes that won’t happen. He said that we didn’t even see each other very often and that he felt lonely. He said a lot of things, but I still don’t think that was the real reason. I was blindsided. We had been together for just over a month, and we couldn’t make any significant changes. And he didn’t try to communicate that he was unhappy before. He just said that he wanted to break up. I tried to convince him otherwise, but as expected, it didn’t work. Three days after the breakup, he sent me a letter at work. He said the same things that he said before and said goodbye.

    It’s been three weeks of NC. As he came back once, I can’t help but wonder if he would come back again.
    Did he never love me at all? Did he come back only for selfish reasons?

    1. Hi Tati.

      He came back because he was lonely. As I often mention on the blog, loneliness isn’t a valid reason for reconciliation because when the dumper comes back, he stops feeling lonely and faces the issues that ended the relationship.

      He loved you when you were together. So if he comes back, it needs to be because of love.

      Sincerely,
      Zan

  4. Hi Zan,

    I did read all your articles since my breakup and honestly they helped a lot to an extend so I’m grateful for that.

    The only thing that I personally didn’t like about them, and I only realized it retroactively, is that they sometimes gave me hope. I know it’s brutal and not what dumpees want to hear, but the chance of getting back with an ex is so slim… close to none.

    Your articles sometimes gave me comfort for a short period of time, and then hope that my ex would realize how good of a person I am. It’s so odd that, us dumpees, think about someone for months on end all day every day, while the other person is 100% not thinking one single min about us. It’s a weird realization but an important one.

    I havent talked to my ex so I wouldnt know for sure. But I’m pretty positive that she is enjoying her life and in a new relationship. I can guarantee you that I am not crossing her mind, not even once a week. If i do, it’s just a superficial thought that goes away almost as quickly as it came in.

    It’s also bad to say that when enough time has passed, they might see us in a better light. I think they see us in an “ok” light when they leave us. The mroe time passes the more we too, become a distant memory to them. I read a lot about the fact that the dumpers’ timeline works backwards. Supposedly they feel smoothered and relieved by the breakup and regret later. THis too is giving false hope.

    If someone was to kill me, i’d rather get shot in the head than dying by a thousand cuts.

    I think hope is kind of a thousand cuts. I would have prefered people to tell me there was no chance from the get go. Probably would have helped me lose hope that I still sometimes experience today. Hope is DANGEROUS.

    Tim

    1. It’s not unreasonable to hope that your ex’s opinion of you may soften with time. But if they’ve successfully moved on and have no excuse to get back in touch, a softened opinion may be the best you can get, and you may not even know if you’ve gotten it. It’s better to assume you’ll never hear from your ex again and rebuild your life accordingly. It’s dangerous to perpetuate the myth that the dumper will inevitably have something to regret, however good a person you are.

      1. Also, do they really ever not successfully move on? My understanding is that they moved on the day they initiate the breakup in most cases

        1. Of course they do. It took me five months after my most serious breakup to get into a new relationship, but after about two days of grieving, I was still completely done with my ex. We haven’t spoken once since our closure conversation, and I haven’t missed him at all.

    2. Hi Tim.

      If you find that my articles give you hope, stay away from them. Read relationship articles and topics that help you feel good and improve. You can return to breakup articles when you feel anxious and sad.

      Sincerely,
      Zan

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