”Until you get comfortable with being alone, you will never know if you are choosing someone out of love or loneliness.” Quotemaster

Although there’s no clear-cut definition, rebound relationships occur when someone fresh out of a long-term romantic relationship gets involved with someone else even though they haven’t yet emotionally healed from their breakup. Breakups tend to spark negative emotions like sadness, anger, hurt, guilt, and embarrassment, naturally making rebounding a preferable distraction instead of dealing with these emotions. However, forming healthy new emotional attachments that meet your needs can be challenging without self-healing.

Signs of a rebound relationship

No rebound relationship is the same, but several signs may indicate you’re in one:

• You just came out of a serious relationship
• The new relationship is moving very fast
• You think about your ex constantly
• You can’t open up emotionally to your new partner
• You don’t want to make any long-term plans with your new partner
• You primarily like your new partner because they give you attention
• You’re reluctant to introduce them to your closest friends and relatives

To figure out if you’re rebounding, it’s essential to spend time reflecting on your current emotional state, wants, and desires. Ask yourself about the emotions you feel when you think about your ex. Are you still in love with them? Also, think about the reasons why your past relationship broke down. It would help to consider whether you’re emotionally ready to enter a new relationship and how much commitment you’re prepared to give.

How long does a rebound relationship usually last?

Rebound relationships usually have a short shelf life as they are not based on a solid foundation. Some call it ”emotional Band-Aids”. In most cases, at least one person in the relationship entered into it as a knee-jerk reaction to their previous break-up — instead of out of true feelings for the new person. Like regular relationships, rebound relationships go through several stages before they’re done. Ultimately, it’s best not to get bogged down in the stages your new relationship may go through and overthink how long your rebound may last — everyone’s different, after all. (Photo by Mathias P.R. Reding from Pexels)

Is a rebound relationship healthy?  

Although rebound relationships can feel good and help fill the void left by the past relationship, they’re usually (but not always) unhealthy. If you’re using your new partner to feel better about yourself, it’s best to call it off. However, if you’re truly enjoying your new partner, continue exploring the relationship to see where it goes. Alternatively, if you’ve recently had a breakup, use this time for self-reflection rather than jumping into a new relationship. Start to focus on yourself emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Figure out who you want to be in your next relationship and, ultimately, take charge of your healing — you may even want to start seeing a therapist.

Rebound relationships are a common way to cope with breakups and the associated significant feelings of loss and sadness. Knowing when you may be in a rebound relationship can help you better understand if it’s the right move for you now.

Article by: Kylee Ryers

Main image: Photo by freestocks on Unsplash