In This Article
If you have gone through a rocky, no-contact phase in your relationship, you know how stressful it can be on both parties. Sometimes, your man may respond in a way that makes you worry about his true feelings for you. In any case, there are so many signs he misses you during no-contact.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all those signs. Also, we will take a look at what he is thinking during no-contact and show you how to know if someone misses you without contact.
What is the no-contact rule?
“Always toward absent lovers love’s tide stronger flows.” These were the words of Sextus Propertius; a Roman poet who put forth these words. In a more contemporary setting (1832, precisely), a piece by Miss Stickland carried a version of this statement that has been accepted in today’s world.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” we say.
The no-contact rule was founded upon this saying. The belief that when lovers stay apart, their love waxes stronger is the foundation upon which the no-contact rule has been laid.
As the name implies, the no-contact rule is simply what it is. It is a period of time during which you are not allowed to establish any form of contact with your ex. The aim of this exercise is to help both of you sort through your emotions so that you can define the best course of action for your relationship.
While it might be a bit difficult to tell exactly what happens during no contact, many ladies like to know what goes through a guy’s mind during no contact.
Just in case you’ve been wondering, here’s a sneak peek into the male mind during no-contact.
Related Reading: What to Do When You Miss Your Ex
What goes through a guy’s mind during no-contact?
Know what a guy thinks during the no-contact period:
1. Thank goodness
While this may not be music to your ears, we cannot rule off the fact that some guys feel relieved during the no-contact phase. If this is the case, it could be because they never liked their partner in the first place or it could be a case of love gone sour.
2. Time to explore
Some guys approach the no-contact period as the time to explore. They may take the time to meet new people, visit new locations, develop new hobbies, or even try to explore parts of themselves they may have overlooked for a long time.
Many guys will take the no-contact period as a time to connect with themselves again and enjoy themselves.
3. I can’t wait to get back together
If he contacted you during no contact, this could be the case with him. Most times, a guy will stay away from contacting you if he doesn’t want to continue the relationship.
If this is the case, you will need to know how to tell if he misses you.
Related Reading: 10 Stages of Getting Back Together With an Ex
15 signs he is missing you during no-contact
How can you tell if a guy secretly misses you? There are so many signs your ex misses you during no contact. In the next section of this article, we will go over 15 of these signs so that you know exactly where you stand.
Look out for these 15 signs to know he misses you during no-contact.
1. Everyone around him knows he is depressed
This may not mean a lot to you, except when you are looking at a guy who used to be outspoken and boisterous. If it suddenly feels like he is depressed and experiencing mood swings for no reason, that could be one of the signs he misses you during no contact.
2. He now spends much time online
In a bid to pay less attention to the hurt he may be feeling, he can turn towards the screen. One of the signs he misses you when you’re not around (or during a no-contact period) is that he turns to the screen and tends to lose himself in the online world.
You’ll notice this faster if he used to spend way less time online.
Related Reading: How Your Cell Phone Is Destroying Your Marriage and Relationships
3. He refrains from dating for a long time
This may sound like a cliche, but if he has refrained from dating, especially if he has done this for a long time, it could be that he misses you.
4. He tries “too hard” to flirt with other girls
This is how to know if your ex misses you during no contact. If it appears like he is putting in too much energy to look like he is seeing other girls and getting hit on every single time, it could be that he’s just doing this to make you feel jealous.
While deep down, he misses you and wishes you could be together again. So, does it look like he moved on a bit too quickly? That could be one of the signs he misses you during no contact.
Related Reading: How to Flirt With a Girl – 10 Tips for Flirting With a Women
Suggested video: Overcome jealousy in 3 minutes
5. He’s making some serious lifestyle changes
And we aren’t talking about small things you may not notice like bathing twice a day. We are looking at major lifestyle changes. These could include taking up new and sudden interests, hitting the gym more often, or perfecting a newfound hobby.
The rationale behind these actions is to keep him occupied and give him something else to do while he sorts through his mind.
6. He’s paying extra attention to his looks
This is a double-faced coin. He could be paying more attention to his looks because he has just met a new girl and would want to impress her. Or, it could be because he would like to charm his way back into your good books fast enough.
If he suddenly starts making changes to his looks (like growing a beard, letting go of the one he has grown for years, or hitting the gym so he can bulk up quicker), that may just be the answer to your question.
Related Reading: How to Be More Attractive to Your Partner: 20 Effective Ways
7. You feel the strong energy around you
This is more psychic than physical. One simple way to know that he misses you during the no contact phase is that you feel it within you. It could come as a sudden thought about them, the longing to reconnect, or just wishful thinking about how things could have turned out differently.
If these thoughts come on their own, it could be one of the signs that he misses you during no contact.
8. You’ve been running into each other a lot
It is no contact season, but for some reason, you can’t seem to stop running into each other.
On your way back from work, you may stumble into him at the mall, or run into him at a mutual friend’s hangout. However, it seems like he has been making an effort to run into you of late, this could be because he actually misses you.
Related Reading: Does He Miss Me? 5 Signs to Show He Does
9. You’ve stopped seeing him around
This is kind of like the flip-side of the last point. One of the signs he misses you during no contact is that he makes it a point of duty to stay away from the places he used to frequent, especially if you frequent those places as well.
Does it feel like he dreads the idea of visiting his favorite bar? Does he stay away from friends’ parties and hangouts? Can you feel like he doesn’t want to ever see you again? While this may be because it is no contact season, it could also be because he really misses you.
10. He’s suddenly interested in the online version of you
“Does he miss me during no contact?”
One way to find an answer to this question is by monitoring his online activities. One of the signs a guy misses you is that he may take his attention to the online version of you.
At this point, he would begin to like all your posts, comment on the places where he’s sure you’d see them, and even checks out everything you post on your Instagram stories.
Related Reading: How to Keep a Guy Interested: 30 Ways to Get Him Hooked!
11. Your friends will tell you that they have become super nice to them
While this could mean anything (including an honest coincidence), it could also be one of the signs a guy misses you during no contact. Since people tend to be nice to those they want to extract information from, he may be inclined toward becoming nicer to your friends.
Many times, though, this could be because he wants to get close to you again or because he wants to get relevant information from your friend; information about you.
12. Mood swings
The easiest way to know that a guy misses you during no contact is to monitor how he reacts to everyday situations. A guy that has otherwise been calm and collected will suddenly start experiencing crazy mood swings. One second he would be happy and the next second, he would be grumpy.
13. Your friends may ‘suddenly’ start putting in some good words
Another way to know that misses you for sure is to keep a close eye on your close friends, especially if he knows them. When a guy misses you during the no contact period, he may find a way to get into your closest friends’ good books and get them to start talking to you about him.
Suddenly, your friends may begin to ask about your relationship and may even ask you to consider getting back together again.
Conversely, he may just become extra nice to your friends so that they start leaning toward him. When this happens, they wouldn’t be averse to the idea of putting in some good words for him.
Related Reading: 100 Love Paragraphs for Her to Cherish
14. He is lavish with compliments
Most times, he would do this online. Since he is not allowed to call or text you on the phone, you may notice a ton of compliments coming from him online. When you post your selfies, he would be among the people to rain praises on you.
When you share updates about your life, he would be there with some emotional support and kind words. Does this sound like your ex?
15. He breaks the no contact rule
A time comes when he becomes unable to hold it in again. He may end up picking up the phone and calling or texting you first. If this happens, rest assured that he has held off on breaking the no contact rule for the longest time.
How to know if no contact is not working on him?
Have you ever asked this question, “Does no contact work on men?”
Well, the simple answer is “yes, it does.” When done right, it works on men as much as on women.
Although this article has extensively dealt with the signs that no contact is working, there are also other signs that no contact is not working. Well, when no contact isn’t working,
Related Reading: 5 Examples of How to Respond to an Ex After No Contact
He disappears into thin air
He doesn’t try to reach you at all and just moves on with his life. Another sign that no contact won’t work is if he is the one that suggests it as a solution to whatever challenge you may be experiencing in the relationship.
His life continued, as usual
You didn’t notice any major lifestyle change, he didn’t stop visiting his regular spots, and he still derives joy in the things that once made him happy. If this summarizes him, it could be a sign that no contact isn’t working.
Takeaway
When no contact is working on him, he displays the signs above
When no contact is working on a guy, he would display all 15 signs that have been covered in this article (or most of them, depending on his personality type). Just keep your eyes open for how he relates with you and others during the no contact period as it can give you pointers as to whether it is working or not.
However, many people stress out and ask this question, “will my ex miss me during no contact” shortly before getting into the no contact phase.
It is up to you to decide if you want to get back into that relationship or if you want out for good.
FAQs
How do you know if a guy genuinely misses you? ›
Texting you frequently, talking about you when with friends or others, getting jealous, drunk texting or calling you, trying everything he can to keep the conversation going, and so on are signs he misses you.
What goes on in a man's mind during no contact? ›The male mind during no contact
The no-contact rule male psychology forces him to recognize his loneliness. After a breakup, if you stop contacting him, he will feel free and enjoy this phase as much as he can. But, with time, the loneliness and guilt pang will start to kick in.
So, a few weeks to two months is the answer to the question, “How long does it take for a guy to miss you?” Typically, men realize what they lost when they can't find a woman with their personality. By then, they learn not all women are the same, and they shouldn't have broken off the relationship.
How long before he misses me with no contact? ›In fact, based on our research you can expect the average ex to begin missing you anywhere between 2.5 to 5.2 months after a breakup assuming you put forth signals that you are “moving on from them.” We're going show you how we came to this conclusion by drawing on our knowledge on, Attachment Styles.
What makes a guy miss you more? ›Simply be courteous and keep some physical distance between you two whenever you meet. Let him have his space but do let him know you miss him once in a while. Remind him of the fun things you did together before but not anymore. Communicate instead of giving the cold shoulder, hoping to send a message.
Can a guy miss you but not contact you? ›Will a guy miss you during no contact? Because the truth is, during no contact with your ex, they will start to miss you no matter what. What they do with that feeling is dependent on their personality. If you were dating an incredibly stubborn person, it might take months before your ex gives in and reaches out.
How do you know he thinks about you with no contact? ›- Thank goodness.
- Time to explore.
- I can't wait to get back together.
- Everyone around him knows he is depressed.
- He now spends much time online.
- He refrains from dating for a long time.
- He tries “too hard” to flirt with other girls.
- He's making some serious lifestyle changes.
He'll show signs that “no contact” is working.
He asks mutual friends about you (or they tell you that he misses you). He's super active on your social media and follows you closely. He's way more responsive to your messages (if you're in contact). He makes sudden changes or improvements to his appearance.
Guys typically scan your body if they think you're attractive or they're trying to flirt with you. He might also be checking you out because he's too shy to approach you. Watch for other flirtatious body language signals, like prolonged eye contact or leaning in toward you.
How do you know if a guy is heartbroken? ›If he avoids seeing you at all costs even though it is important, it is one of the signs he is heartbroken over you. He knows that when he sees you, the memories will come flooding, and it might be too much for him to handle. Also, he would ensure avoiding places where you are likely to show up.
Do guys realize they lost a good girl? ›
Men don't tend to feel regret straight away. In fact, it can take them up to six months before they start to regret losing a good woman. One of the things that will make him regret it sooner is seeing you with someone better than him.
How long does it take for a man to realize you're the one? ›The average American man knows after seven months of dating if his partner is “the one,” according to new research. A survey of 2,000 engaged and married American men revealed that 49% of men who popped the question received little hints from their partner encouraging the proposal.
Will he lose feelings during no contact? ›The No Contact rule will work if he has lost feelings to either make or break the relationship. If this distance makes him realize that the relationship was never stable, his feelings might not change.
How do you know he wants you back? ›- They Make Attempts To Stay In Touch. ...
- They Keep You Updated. ...
- They Get And Want To Make You Jealous. ...
- They Pretend That They Need Your Help. ...
- They Keep Bringing Up Your Memories Together. ...
- They Tell You How Far They Have Come. ...
- They Keep Checking With Mutual Friends About Your Well-being.
What Is The Hardest Day Of No Contact? Immediately after you start it. Limited no contact breaks. The day/s where you aren't hearing from them.
How do you make a man crave you? ›- Call him by cute names often:
- Keep him guessing:
- Touch him unexpectedly:
- Small changes do make a big difference:
- Compliment him often:
- Take him down the memory lane:
- Give him ample space:
- Smell good at all times:
- Express your feelings (to him) One of the most direct ways to learn how to make him regret ignoring you is by being upfront about it. ...
- Get your story straight. ...
- Be less available. ...
- Spend time with friends (especially mutual friends) ...
- Block him. ...
- Pursue other options. ...
- Conclusion.
Men love women who are thoughtful, caring, loving and kind. A woman who does little things for her man for no other reason other than that she loves him. A woman who makes him smile back whenever she smiles at him. A woman who radiates love and warmth from her heart.
Can a guy like you and not text you? ›Can he? Yes, very much so. He could be scared of texting you too much and coming across as desperate. So he may not be texting you because he does not want to come across that way.
How do you know if a guy regrets losing you? ›- They begin to communicate with you. ...
- They apologize for the breakup. ...
- They show more affection. ...
- They try to atone for past mistakes. ...
- They show pessimism when you tell them someone else is involved. ...
- They stalk you. ...
- They try to go through your friends.
Do men respond to silence? ›
Men respond to silence and distance emotionally. When they don't hear from you for a while, their male instinct pushes them to find you and know how you feel. They want to see if you are fine, if you miss them or whether you value their existence. Strangely enough, it doesn't matter if you like him to not.
How do you know if someone is constantly thinking about you? ›You Dream About Them
This is especially true for people who have not seen each other for a long time. If they are thinking actively about you, it might be enough to trigger a psychic manifestation in your dreams. Sometimes, these dreams are so vivid and intense that they might hint at what the person is thinking.
Look out for body language cues that signal that he is uncomfortable or disinterested in your interactions. He may try to move away from you, cross his arms in front of him, or turn away from you while you are talking. He may also try to avoid physical contact, like a hug or you touching his arm, he is not interested.
What to say when he reaches out after no contact? ›A neutral response
I hope you're doing well. It's been a while since we talked. Tell me about what you've been doing in the last couple of weeks.” This neutral response doesn't set up any expectations and gives you some time to converse, feel things out, and then decide based on how you feel.
They crave intimacy and connection, even when they act strong. So, when you employ the no contact rule, they seek all possible means to get back to you. That's why some people say, “he came back after no contact.”
What he thinks when you don t text him? ›1 He thinks you're busy. 2 He's trying to brush it off. 3 He might think you're playing “hard to get.” 4 He's worried you're ignoring him because you're upset.
What does a real broken heart feel like? ›Some people describe it as a dull ache, others as piercing, while still others experience it as a crushing sensation. The pain can last for a few seconds and then subside, or it can be chronic, hanging over your days and depleting you like just like the pain, say, of a back injury or a migraine.
How a man feels when he hurts a woman? ›When a man hurts a woman he loves, he feels emotions such as anger, guilt, frustration, self-loathe, fear, etc. Although he may not express his feelings confidently, a man will show signs he is sorry for hurting you or signs he knows he hurt you.
How do you know he has moved on? ›- Communication Dwindles. Relationships are built on interactions, and if you're not in touch in one way or another — in person, on the phone, or elsewhere — there's not really a relationship. ...
- Interactions Become Less Fun. ...
- Interactions Become Less Awkward. ...
- They Get Serious With Someone Else.
Most men who initiate breakups or hurt their partners through their actions or words do eventually experience remorse over losing their beloved. Ultimately, your man will likely realize the flaws in his behavior and actions. Men do painfully come to terms with the harsh reality that they've lost a very special lady.
Do men come back after losing interest? ›
Once a guy loses interest can you get it back? Yes, you can get a guy's interest back once he loses it because he was once captivated by you. Your job is to figure out what's changed and fix it. Most men don't just wake up one morning and decide they've lost interest, it's a process.
How long does it take for a man to regret losing you? ›The answer is different for everyone, but many men will experience a pang of regret within about a month to six weeks after breaking up with you. Dumper's remorse, as I call it, is very real. It happens to pretty much everyone who ever dumps a person.
What are the 3 words a man will say to a woman he loves? ›“I love you.” “You look beautiful.” “Let's go shopping!”
How do guys realize they are in love? ›When he's falling in love, everything is likely to become about her. He can't stop thinking about her and would rather be spending time with her than doing anything else. He may feel scared about the relationship and where it's headed, or he might just have a comfortable feeling about the entire thing.
How do you know you have met the one for you? ›"You'll know you've found 'the one' when you feel at peace, content in your life together, wanting for nothing more. When you can picture you and your partner, in retirement, having had a happy life together, you can be confident in this relationship.
What to do when he lost feelings for you? ›- Focus on your own self-worth. ...
- Remind your partner why they were attracted to you from the start. ...
- Make an effort to understand your partner's needs. ...
- Communicate what you're feeling.
1 For an amicable breakup: around 30 days. 2 For a long-term relationship: at least 60 days. 3 If things got ugly at the end: roughly 90 days.
What is he thinking after a week of no contact? ›After several days, he'll wonder what you're doing and why you're silent. It's common for most men to expect (or hope) that their ex will be the one to break the ice, and he'll worry when you haven't called or texted in a week. He'll be obsessed with trying to figure out what you're thinking.
How do you know if he's done for good? ›- He's asking for too much space, it doesn't make sense. ...
- You feel it deep within. ...
- You are also losing interest in the relationship. ...
- Communicating with him is like talking to the statue of liberty. ...
- He no longer initiates sex. ...
- Having sex with you feels like a chore.
- A deep sense of disconnection. ...
- You're always initiating conversations. ...
- He tells you directly. ...
- He ignores texts/calls from you. ...
- Lack of vulnerability (from his end) ...
- Lack of sexual intimacy. ...
- He doesn't desire to be physically around you. ...
- You're excluded from his activities.
How do you tell if your ex is waiting for you? ›
- They contact you again. ...
- They ask to be friends again. ...
- They ask to meet up. ...
- They flirt with you. ...
- They text you on important days. ...
- They are still single. ...
- They post too many pictures with others. ...
- They take the blame for the breakup.
- Write a letter to yourself. ...
- Give yourself room to grieve. ...
- Make a list of every terrible thing your partner ever did. ...
- Start a self-care list. ...
- Have a breakup buddy. ...
- Work on yourself. ...
- Start a new hobby. ...
- Give yourself some structure.
Anger and frustration are other likely responses a guy might feel to you cutting him off. You're taking away his ability to contact you. This means he can't talk to you anymore. And he doesn't get a say in it all.
Does no contact make a man come back? ›A man might come back to you after No Contact just because he sees you as a challenge that makes him feel like he needs to have you back. Even though this man might not have any strong feelings about you, he will pursue you to show his masculinity and reach his goal, at least he'll try.
What he thinks when you go quiet? ›Men respond to silence and distance emotionally. When they don't hear from you for a while, their male instinct pushes them to find you and know how you feel. They want to see if you are fine, if you miss them or whether you value their existence. Strangely enough, it doesn't matter if you like him to not.
Why would a man go silent? ›Many guys hate failing and feeling inadequate. They often don't have the speed of words to compete with their partner in a conflict. Men's emotional processing capacity is often much slower than their partner. Whilst being silent is a sign of a man's need to process it is also a way to avoid the feelings of defeat.
What to do when he goes silent? ›Calmly tell the person that you've noticed they're not responding and you want to understand why. Emphasize that you want to resolve things. While it's not your fault that someone else decides to give you the silent treatment, you do have a responsibility to apologize if you've done something wrong.
What makes a man leave a good woman? ›Toxic relationships, being used, feeling emotionally spent, or meeting someone new could also contribute to what makes a man leave his wife. A wife left behind may be wondering what happened to her once happy relationship. Going to couples counseling and communicating with her husband may help save the marriage.
Why walking away from a man is powerful? ›You create strength
One of the biggest reasons why walking away is powerful is because it gives you a strength you never thought you had. The power of walking away from a woman or man builds an emotional armor that can get you through even the most difficult situations.
When a man hurts a woman he loves, he feels emotions such as anger, guilt, frustration, self-loathe, fear, etc. Although he may not express his feelings confidently, a man will show signs he is sorry for hurting you or signs he knows he hurt you.
Why do men reach out after no contact? ›
They crave intimacy and connection, even when they act strong. So, when you employ the no contact rule, they seek all possible means to get back to you. That's why some people say, “he came back after no contact.”
How to behave when he comes back? ›- “I totally get it—life happens. I'm glad that we're back in touch.”
- “Hope things have settled down for you. I'm really happy that we're talking again—it had been great getting to know you.”
The no-contact rule refers to cutting off all contact with an ex following a breakup, and it's the best method for moving on from an ex. No contact should last for a minimum of 60 days, and it includes no texting, no calling, and no interacting on social media.
What is he thinking after 2 weeks of no contact? ›What is he thinking after 2 weeks of no contact? He starts to sense that maybe you might be gone forever. The No Rule Contact will help you see if the strings are attached in your relationship. If he doesn't hear anything from you, no calls or texts in two weeks' time he will start to worry.