13 Glaring Signs You’re On A Rebound Dating Spree

Getting into rebound dating is so common that it could even be considered a cliché. However, a lot of people are still confused as to how a rebound relationship works. If you are one of those people, you may have a lot of questions about rebound relationships and how they work, such as:

• What is a dating rebound?
• What does rebound mean in dating?
• Are rebound relationships healthy?
• Can a past relationship affect a rebound date?
• Is dating on a rebound safe?
• How do you know if you’re looking for a rebound date?
• Is there a difference between a rebound relationship and a committed relationship?
• What are some rebound relationship signs?

All these questions and more will be answered in this article, so read on to know about new coping strategies regarding a rebound relationship. For now, just understand that a rebound date happens when you start looking for someone new to cope with the pain of a breakup, especially if you’re getting out of a serious relationship.

What Is Rebound Dating

Before we get into the details about how rebounds impact you and the other person and the signs that you’re on one, let’s address a basic question: what is a rebound in dating? While dating on the rebound can be a complicated experience for many, a simple definition of rebound dating is when you get into a string of short-term relationships or are caught in a casual dating loop as a way to get over a previous relationship or deal with the pain of heartbreak. Some people even use rebound dating apps like Bumble or Hinge to help them find a new partner.

A rebound date can be seen as a form of relationship recovery as many people tend to feel better about themselves once they find a new partner. Here are a few traits that are common in rebound relationships:

• They typically last a few weeks
• There is no real emotional connection
• You don’t know your current partner all that well
• You still secretly desire your ex
• You are constantly on the lookout for a new person

Pros And Cons Of Rebound Dating

By now the question of what is a rebound in dating or what does rebound mean in dating should be answered sufficiently. So, let’s move on to the pros and cons of dating on a rebound. As mentioned before, a rebound date is not for everyone, and you may enter the relationship expecting something completely different than what your new partner is looking for. You may even see there are no signs of relationship compatibility with this new parnter. And things can get very messy very quickly from here on out.

That’s why, it’s important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of rebound dating to assess whether it is right for you:

13 Signs You’re On A Rebound Dating Spree

Now that you know the pros and cons of rebound dating, it’s up to you to figure out if it is the right fit for you. As problematic as this practice is considered to be, it can help some people cope with heartbreak and move on. But, more often than not, it tends to contribute to emotional hurt and trauma. Often, the person who ends up being the rebound partner is the worst affected in it all.

The bottom line is, not everyone can rebound date. So, before you get pulled in too deep, it’s important to recognize if you are on a rebound dating spree. Here are a few key signs to look out for to know if you are a serial dater.

Related Reading: The 5 Stages Of A Rebound Relationship

1. Always thinking about your ex

The most obvious sign that you are on a rebound dating spree is when you cannot get your ex out of your head. If you find yourself constantly thinking about your previous relationship or former partner, it should be pretty clear that there are still some lingering feelings that you have not dealt with yet.

2. Sex is all you care about

Most rebound relationships revolve around sex. While sex is a part of any new relationship, you can tell it is a rebound relationship if sex is all you care about. A healthy relationship based on a strong emotional connection does not revolve around sex, so if you constantly seek new sexual encounters, chances are you still have an emotional attachment to your ex.

3. Not forming meaningful bonds

Allowing yourself to be emotionally vulnerable is one of the perks of being in a real relationship. It allows you to connect with your partner and enables you to grow as a couple. Rebound relationships do not have that. When you are simply rebound dating, you are unable to form a meaningful and fulfilling bond with your partner.

Related Reading: My Ex Seems So Happy With Her Rebound – How Do I Deal With This

4. You no longer have standards

One of the subtler signs that you are on the rebound is when you no longer have the same standards for a partner that you used to. It is at this point that you would accept anyone as your rebounding partner regardless of if you like their behavior or personality. This is an unhealthy coping mechanism as your emotional needs would never be met in such relationships.

5. Committing too soon

Another sign that you are on a rebound dating spree is if you find yourself making long-term promises which you fail to keep, to partners whom you barely know. While this is normal after a recent breakup, if you find yourself constantly making promises of love really quickly and then reneging on them, then it is one of the signs you are in a rebound relationship.

6. You’re always finding faults with your current partner

In a romantic relationship, you generally tend to see the best in your partner, especially in the honeymoon phase, and want to get to know them better. This allows you to build on the positive aspects of the relationship while trying to overcome the negative. However, in a rebound relationship, you would be constantly looking for reasons not to like your current partner. In other words, you are looking for reasons to break up. This is one of the unhealthy relationship patterns you need to watch out for.

7. You struggle with trust issues

One unfortunate sign that you’re dating on the rebound is when you find yourself having trust issues even though you have no reason to do so. This is a consequence of still having negative feelings toward your previous partner. If you realize that you are unable to be vulnerable with your partner, you can be sure that it’s a case of rebound dating.

8. Social media competition of who is more over whom

Another glaring sign that you’re on a rebound dating spree is that one of the major motivations behind being with someone new is to make your ex jealous through social media. You constantly post on social media, trying to portray your life as perfect. When, in reality, the goal of this is to make your ex believe that you are over your last relationship.

Related Reading: 12 Signs Your Past Relationships Are Affecting Your Present Relationship

9. You never move past the honeymoon stage

Another sign that you’re looking for rebound sex is when you break off a new relationship as soon as the honeymoon stage ends. You tend to stick around while the relationship is still fun but find a reason to leave as things start getting a little more serious. As long as this commitment-phobic behavior continues, you will never be able to have a lasting and healthy relationship.

10. You don’t see your partners as people with emotions and needs

If you are looking for some rebound relationship signs, an obvious one is when you don’t really recognize your partners as people anymore. You aren’t invested in your new partner’s emotions, needs, or goals. In your mind, they exist just to serve you. A rebound can thus become a hallmark of an unhealthy relationship, where you tend to take what you can from your partner and give very little in return. This will prevent you from ever having an equal partner whom you can move forward with.

11. You’re bitter in relationships

Another sure sign of a rebound relationship is when you are constantly bitter toward your new partner, even during the honeymoon stage. No matter how many romantic relationships you start, there always seems to be an abundance of negative feelings. This is because you are still not over your last long-term relationship. You need to learn how to escape negative feelings if you hope to stop feeling bitter toward your new partner.

12. You feel hollow when you’re alone

One of the signs you’re on a rebound dating spree is when you can’t seem to spend any time by yourself. You are constantly on the lookout for a new partner to distract yourself from the fact that you still have lingering feelings from your last relationship. This stage is quite normal after a recent breakup. However, if you continue with this behavior, you never give yourself a chance to truly heal from what you went through, and it will prevent you from forming a stable long-term relationship.

13. You feel like a fraud

One rebound relationship sign is that you constantly feel like you are lying to your new partner. This generally happens because you ended your last relationship on a bitter note and you are trying to put your best foot forward while finding a new date. While this behavior is normal after a recent breakup, if your rebound dating spree has gone on too long, you will feel like you are lying to your dates.

Related Reading: 12 Clear Signs You Are Infatuated And Not In Love

Why Dating On The Rebound Isn’t The Best Idea And How To Snap Out of It

According to an empirical research study, rebound relationships are typically detrimental to your mental health. It is found that most people get into this type of relationship for rebound sex. However, if you still have negative emotions about or unhealed emotional wounds from your previous relationship, those compounding issues may quite possibly cause you to seek solace in this unhealthy coping technique. Dating on the rebound can be a bad idea for many reasons, such as:

• You don’t heal from your previous relationship
• Rebound sex is all you think about
• Your current relationship feels like a bad joke
• You do not share an emotional connection in your new relationship
• Neither you nor your partner is truly happy in the new relationship
• It is a reactionary relationship
• You forget what a serious relationship looks like
• Gives rise to more negative emotions

By now, you should know that dating on a rebound is not the healthiest option around. If you find yourself stuck in a dating rebound, there are things you can do to snap out of it. Some of the most effective methods are:

• Seek professional advice from a licensed mental health professional
• Work on your relationship skills
• Do not rush into your next relationship
• Understand your emotional needs
• Know why your relationship ended
• Be honest and let your partner decide if they want to be your rebound

With these tips, you should know if you are on a rebound dating spree and if it is right for you. This entire process requires some honest introspection. As long as you keep these points in mind, you will know if such a lifestyle is suitable for you. You should also understand that everyone heals from former relationships differently and in their own time. So, if dating on the rebound has worked for someone you know, do not be surprised if it does not work for you. That just means that you need to find another healthier way to deal with the emotions that you are feeling.

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