Why is my ex-boyfriend bragging?

[Anonymous]

Hi, I'm 22 and in a happy relationship with my fiance.Last night for some reason I had a dream that my ex-boyfriend(who I was in a passionate relationship with for 1 year)wasn't doing too well.So I messaged him on facebook(after not talking to him since we broke up over 2 years ago). I messaged him" Hi, how are you doing?" He quickly replied saying how amazing his life is, how he has a great job, new house, new girlfriend and 2 stepkids, while not asking much about me. I'm glad he's happy, that's all I was worried about. I guess I'm just wondering why he felt the need to brag and brag.

[Remy87]

Don't worry about the bragging at all! Exes may feel the need to "do better" than you after the relationship is over. After I broke up with my long term boyfriend, he started updating his facebook on the new condo he got and the raise he got - repeatedly! Every other update is literally about his "omg downtown condo." It honestly looked kind of sad rather than impressive. If someone is going that much out of their way to pump things up, then it just makes it seem like they are trying to convince themselves they are succeeding or compensate with external accomplishments. He probably thought that you were "thinking about him," and wanted to show you how much he's moved on to "bigger and better" things. Sounds like you were genuinely concerned and just wanted to check in based on the weird intuition you got, but you have your own things going on that are making you happy so don't worry about his overly intense response!

[missnicole]

He probably was wondering why on earth youd drop him a one liner email out of the blue after 2 years and with no explaination why you were thinking of him, he has no idea what your intentions with that are. I don't know how your breakup went down, but if you broke up with him it may be his way of letting you know he's over it and went on to be happy, or if he broke it off with you, wanted to make it clear to you that he's happy with where his life is without you and his decision still stands.

Considering he replied to you and didn't just delete your email, he'd probably be relieved if you told him how great things are with you too and realized you were just thinking of him, with no ulterior motives to reconnect the relationship.

[jackums619]

Did you break up with him? if so he's trying to make it seem like he's better off without you.

I personally have been here with my ex. We didn't talk for 2.5 years. WHich is bad since we have a 2 year old together. Before you ask he stopped talking to be when I was preg. When we talked he was bragging about EVERYTHING. All he was trying to o is hurt me, and make it sseem like his life is so much better then mine. Chances are your ex is doing the same. Don't let it bother you.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like a defensive response. I would find it a little suprising to hear from an ex I had not spoken with in 2 years and if I still had some feelings for her I would either over compensate on my current life or ignore the message altogether.

[storm123]

why would you ignore the message? wouldn't you see that as an opening or a chance?

[Swampwater]

obviously he wanted to impress you. maybe it makes him feel better about himself