It’s strange when your ex wishes you a happy birthday. You can’t help but wonder if there is a hidden meaning.
Let’s start with a list of plausible reasons why your ex wants to wish you a happy birthday. Then we’ll look at how you can zero in on the ones that apply to you.
Why Wish You a Happy Birthday?
While by no means an exhaustive list, the following cover most situations:
- They just wanted to say “happy birthday” 🤷♂️
- Your ex wanted to check in and chose your birthday as an excuse to do so.
- You had a nasty split, but with some time behind you, they now desire to make amends, using your birthday as a test.
- Your ex has regret, feels guilty, or wants forgiveness.
- Your ex wants you to satisfy their nostalgia.
- They’re pleasant and friendly, and they want to be polite.
- They’re vindictive and want to ruin your birthday by playing mind games.
Heads up: I know you are curious why you are receiving a birthday message after the breakup. But, depending on what you want, it might trigger feelings of hope and excitement. And that could be a real problem if your ex can not fulfil those feelings. That’s why it’s wise to question the motive behind the message.
How to Tell?
If your last interaction with your ex was pleasant, it’s fair to assume the birthday greeting is harmless. This means your ex wants to maintain pleasantries moving forward.
My advice? If you respond and your ex is eager to chat, you can assume they want more from you. And so, if you want “something more,” you can use this opportunity to test the waters and potentially enter a new relationship.
On the other hand, if your last interaction was unpleasant, your ex is likely seeking to make amends. The caveat here is the mental health of your ex and the type of character they have. You should be cautious if your ex has a history of instability and a taste for vengeance. Even more so if you did something that your ex would find difficult to forgive.
Time-wise, if you just broke up, it will be harder to determine their intentions. Are they wishing you a happy birthday as a gesture of goodwill, or are they looking to maintain a connection with you? It’s tough to know for sure. I recommend keeping an open mind here. Also, be wary of taking the score too soon.
Bottom line: Whatever the reason, you should enjoy your birthday regardless of what your ex wants. And if you want them back? You are on the right website 😉
