Why do some people keep going back to their exes?

[Anonymous]

I personally would not want to get back with an ex even the ones I was still good friends with. But I notice some people who has a habit of going back with every single one of their exes… I don’t get it

[HollyK21]

There’s tons of reasons — memories, hopes for the future, promise of change, comfortability, missing someone too much. The list goes on. Everyone’s got their own reasons, but in most cases they wind up being reminded why they broke up in the first place.

[Asker]

That makes sense, I think it’s pretty rare for things to finally work out the second/third/fourth/etc time around too

[queenofcardio]

I never have and I don't think I ever will even with the ones I randomly communicate with.

​I guess for some people, it's the familiarity. It may seem easier to keep trying with someone who already knows you, versus starting over and putting in the effort to let someone new get to know you

[Asker]

That makes sense, I guess some people are just too scared of getting out of their comfort zones

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Each person might have their reasons...

A friend once told me that she didn't like the idea of permanent ending. She restarted one relationship, with the same ex, three times within 10 years, with other relationships in-between

[Asker]

Did she also do it with the exes from the in between relationships then?

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Nope, just this one guy actually

[MrChinaski]

Gambler's fallacy. People think that if you flip a coin and get tails five times in a row, heads must be up next.

[Asker]

Ooh great analogy!

[Mariogirl09]

Im a lover girl and I wouldn't even go back to an ex

[Asker]

Honestly same! Thank you, next

[lilBigPotato]

Some people can't let go or remember things better than they were.

[Asker]

Oh yeah nostalgia can really mess up your memories

[DryGermanGuy]

"Better the devil you know, than the devil you don't."

- Proverb

[Asker]

Wow that’s deep and I like that!

[dudeinohio]

I wouldn't even be friends with an ex. A lot of people would consider that a deal-breaker when they find out someone they are dating is friends with an ex.

[Asker]

That’s totally valid! I was still friends with an ex back then because he used to be my best friend but we cut off contact as soon as we started dating other people, it’s only respectful

[dudeinohio]

Exactly!

[Anonymous]

They realize later it wasn’t as bad as they thought

[Asker]

So like a “took it for granted” kind of situation?

[LiamJHayden]

It can be easier than starting a new relationship.

[Asker]

Ohh right, I can see that

[LotharioENERZY]

Those are fools, there are enough or men and woman in this world.

[Asker]

Yeah, why read the same book twice if you already know the ending right

[LotharioENERZY]

Exactly

[Nikki1989]

Emotional attachment.

[Asker]

Does that mean that they never truly moved on?

[Ariesman81Nshiiit]

Lack of options or masochism

[Asker]

I honestly I do feel like some people do it to fulfill their masochist fantasies… getting hurt over and over again

[Ariesman81Nshiiit]

Pain can be addictive

[Asker]

It sure is…