7 Signs to Recognize a Rebound Relationship

It’s hard to move on after you go through a breakup with your once intimate lover. Therefore, some people may consider a rebound relationship to heal themselves. After a breakup, a rebound relationship occurs very quickly, in which one tries to maintain the same feelings for the other person. Initially, this is a great way to start, but because the feelings are artificial, forced, and superficial, a rebound relationship eventually ends. Therefore, a rebound relationship may have a negative impact on both parties.

In this article, we will deal with the concept of the rebound relationship. We summarize seven signs for you to recognize a rebound relationship. Read to learn more.

We recommend you to read Rebuilding by Bruce Fisher and Robert Alberti on bookey if you are not busy.

Contents

What Is a Rebound Relationship?

7 Signs to Recognize a Rebound Relationship

4 Rebound Relationship Stages

How Long Does a Rebound Relationship Usually Last?

Impact of a Rebound Relationship

What to Do If You’re in a Rebound Relationship?

What Is a Rebound Relationship?

After ending a romantic relationship, someone gets involved with someone else without having healed their emotions.

Rebound relationships can happen quickly after a breakup. Some people seek them out, while others fall into them unintentionally.

Rebound relationships are sought for a variety of reasons. Breakups lead to negative emotions such as sadness, hurt, anger, guilt, and shame, which people aren't ready to deal with. Some people do not deal with their unhealed selves, and they move from relationship to relationship. Others get into rebound relationships for more petty reasons, such as to make their ex jealous.

7 Signs to Recognize a Rebound Relationship

1.They constantly talk about their ex.

Obviously, this shouldn't come as a surprise, but it's worth remembering: It is directly related to how much time someone spends talking to their ex, how much energy they put into it, and how over they are. In a new relationship, it's normal to share information about past relationships and patterns — but you don't have to discuss her food preferences, favorite sex position, and daily habits. Talking about the ex indicates a strong attachment.

2.Very little time has passed between their last relationship and you.

The length of time it takes to get over a past relationship is a matter of much debate. There are a variety of theories, including the three-week theory, the six-week theory, the three-month theory, and the formula that suggests half the life of the relationship should be spent recovering from it. There are some people that mourn the loss of a relationship before it ends and thus need less time. Others are blindsided and don't take the time to process it. If your new crush just ended a relationship a week ago, it's not a good sign - there's no magic formula, but it's important to grieve the loss of a relationship and reflect on the experience.

3.They keep things superficial.

Take a look at your conversations outside of the great sex. If you're in a rebound relationship, they tend to keep things superficial. They don't want to know your middle name, your childhood, or that difficult moment you've overcome. Focusing on things like movies, music, and favorite sex positions keeps things from getting too connected. They don't want to know your middle name, anything about your childhood, or anything about that difficult moment you've overcome.

4.Sex is the focus of the relationship.

Unlike your family and friends, they do not court you or get to know you. They do not want to take you out to dinner — they just want to get down and dirty without wasting too much time. You might be a rebound if this sounds like you — or maybe you're just a buddy for your you-know-what.

5.They are emotionally unavailable.

The problem with them is that they won't let you get close before they push you away. They lack the ability to be emotionally vulnerable. They can't be there for you, show up as you need, or fulfill your emotional needs.

6.You feel used in some way.

Perhaps they keep posting pictures of you on social media that feel premature in a relationship and make you think they're trying to make someone else jealous of you. They may have time to spend hours in bed with you, but they can't seem to arrange an outing for you. If they seem to want to show you off — or, on the other hand, want to keep you hidden from friends and family, it's a sign you could be in a rebound relationship.

7.They are bitter.

Their dislike of the whole gender comes out sometimes when they are talking about their ex. It appears that they are moody, critical, or constantly dissatisfied. There is an underlying sense of hostility and anger. All of these are signs that they're not over their previous relationship and may be using you as a rebound.

4 Rebound Relationship Stages

Rebound relationships aren't always the same, but they tend to follow the same pattern, and they often hurt one person in the end. People in rebound relationships can stay in them for varying lengths of time. In some cases, couples may experience the rebound relationship stage within a few days or weeks, whereas in others, it may take months or even years to realize that they've been together. Rebound relationships cycle through four stages.

1.The honeymoon stage

The first time a rebounder enters a rebound relationship, they will be in the "honeymoon stage" in which everything seems perfect, and disagreements and arguments are rare. This is when both parties in the relationship see their new partner as they envision him or her. This is especially true in the case of the rebounding party whose ultimate goal at this point is to escape their recent breakup pain.

2.Discontentment or confusion stage

If you're having trouble adjusting to your new relationship, your rose-colored glasses may have slipped off. Maybe you've noticed that after a few weeks of dating, you're not seeing much progress in your relationship. You don't go out on real dates with your partner, and you haven't met any of these "friends" and families that you keep hearing about. You're starting to feel uncomfortable and want to find out why you're feeling this way.

3.Discovery or realization stage

You've taken a step back and examined your relationship honestly. You realize neither you nor your partner is meeting each other's emotional needs, and outside of just "hanging out," this doesn't seem like much of a relationship at all. As you realize that you're in a rebound relationship, you realize that you're in a rebound relationship.

4.Action or decision stage

You now know why you feel like a third party in your relationship, and you need to decide what to do about it. This is the stage when most rebound relationships end as one or both parties realize that there wasn't a real investment into the relationship in the first place. In order to “save” their new relationships, some brave couples continue to resolve the issues beyond this point.

Rather than inviting you to dinner, they're just looking for a quick and dirty way to get dirty. It is a good idea to seek professional advice once you have entered the action stage with your partner.

How Long Does a Rebound Relationship Usually Last?

The rebound relationship timeline depends directly on the parties involved and it's hard to predict how long it will last. You go through all of these stages at your own pace and reach the common disillusionment stage. A rebound relationship is usually short-lived because it is difficult for you to give your 100% to this new relationship unless you have healed from your past relationship. It is also quite unfair to the new partner.

It is likely that you will harm yourself and the new partner if you are in a rebound for the sole purpose of showing off or making a point. You can expect a rebound relationship to last anywhere from one month to a year, depending on how long it takes for you to realize your mistake. If you are in total denial, a rebound relationship may last for longer than expected.

It is more common for men to rebound after a breakup than for women because men are more prone to doing so. In addition, as we know, women are often able to express their emotions and share their feelings, which makes it easier for them to move on, while men are stuck because they do not share their emotions easily.

Women who suspect they are in a rebound relationship with a man should be able to notice the signs soon if they are not. Don't drag your dead relationship behind you like a torn coat. Life is too short to live in pretense, so break off the relationship before your heart is broken.

Impact of a Rebound Relationship

Impact on Your Mental Health

When you're in a rebound relationship after a breakup, make sure you're not avoiding any emotional work.

A rebound can be an effective and fun way to affirm a new beginning, but it can also be destructive if you're using it to avoid the painful emotions that accompany a breakup, such as being alone and becoming independent.

Sometimes rebound relationships can actually inhibit growth and lead to stagnation after breakups, and breakups can be wonderful learning opportunities. Those negative emotions associated with the breakup of your past relationship or relationship might not be fully processed, and you might miss out on the chance to grow as a person.

Impact on Your Partner’s Mental Health

When both partners want and need a rebound relationship at a particular moment in their lives, they can be nurturing and healthy.

It can be a challenge to both people's well-being if both parties are on opposite sides when it comes to their emotional states; one is fully present while the other is reacting to the past.

You should explore why you are in a relationship, and if it really is worth your time and energy, if it is making you feel insecure about yourself.

What to Do If You’re in a Rebound Relationship?

Ask yourself the following questions if you have begun a new relationship soon after a breakup:

-Does the past relationship still affect me?

-What have I learned from it?

-Is it uncomfortable to be alone?

-Do I put my worth in the hands of someone else?

Ask yourself these questions if you are in a relationship with someone who is on the rebound:

-In this dynamic, are my needs being met?

-Can I establish a connection with this person?

-Do I feel lonely in this relationship?

-Does this relationship involve a third party?

-If you're having trouble exploring any issues, a therapist is recommended.