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- Obsessed With Your Partner's Ex? It's Called ✨ Retroactive Jealousy ✨
Obsessed With Your Partner's Ex? It's Called ✨ Retroactive Jealousy ✨
Learn the signs of retroactive jealousy, when it's healthy and when it's not, and how you can deal with it.
The Love Memoir
March 23, 2025
Ever had a perfectly good moment ruined by something that happened in the past?
Let’s say you and your partner head to a cute café for the 'first time.'
As you enter, they casually mention, “The coffee's good. I know 'cause I’ve been here before.”
You ask who they came with, and they say, “My ex.”
Suddenly, you just want to go home, and you feel this weird, irrational knot in your stomach. You know it shouldn’t bother you, but it does.
That feeling is called retroactive jealousy. It’s more common than you think. Many women (and men) go through it, so you’re definitely not alone.
Signs You Might Have Retroactive Jealousy
Think you might have retroactive jealousy? Here are some signs that might suggest so:
🔍 You fixate on their past relationships. You find yourself thinking (maybe too much) about their exes, even though those relationships are long over.
📜 You compare yourself to their ex. Are you wondering if they were funnier, more attractive, or better in any way?