Ex Back

How to Make Him Miss You After a Breakup (5 Proven Tips)

Author's avatar
NoContact Team
·
December 22, 2025
·
8 min
How to Make Him Miss You After a Breakup (5 Proven Tips)

The breakup is fresh. You cannot stop thinking about him. And somewhere in the back of your mind, you are wondering: will he miss me? Can I make him miss me?

Here is what you need to know about how to make him miss you after a breakup: the most effective approach is often counterintuitive. Chasing makes him pull away. Begging confirms his decision. But strategic absence combined with genuine self-improvement? That works.

This is not about playing games. It is about understanding male psychology and using it to your advantage. If you want the full ex back guide, this article covers the specific tactics that trigger missing in men.

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The Truth About Making Him Miss You

Before diving into tips, let us set realistic expectations.

You cannot force someone to miss you. What you can do is create the conditions that make missing you likely—then give it time to work.

Missing is a delayed response. Men often feel relief immediately after a breakup, especially if it was conflict-heavy. The missing comes later when distractions fade and reality settles in.

Your absence does the work. The irony: the best way to make him miss you is to stop trying to make him miss you. Focus on yourself. The missing happens as a byproduct.

He has to have something to miss. If the relationship was negative at the end, he needs time for those memories to fade so the good ones can resurface. You cannot rush this process.

With those truths in mind, here are the five most effective tips.

Tip 1: Go Completely Silent

This is non-negotiable. Implementing the no contact rule is the single most powerful tool for making him miss you.

Why silence works on men:

  • It disrupts expectations. He expects you to reach out, explain yourself, or try to change his mind. When you do not, it catches him off guard.
  • It creates curiosity. What is she doing? Is she okay? Has she moved on? These questions occupy mental space you want him thinking about.
  • It triggers loss awareness. Your presence was constant. Now it is gone. The contrast makes him feel the absence.

The rules:

  • No texts, calls, or "accidental" contact
  • No checking his social media obsessively (mute him if needed)
  • No using mutual friends to send messages
  • No responding immediately if he reaches out (wait at least 24 hours)

How long? Minimum 30 days. If the breakup was particularly intense, 45-60 days may work better.

You can track your progress with NoContact AI to stay accountable during this phase. Having support makes the hardest moments manageable.

Tip 2: Focus on Your Glow Up

The "glow up" is not superficial—it is strategic. When he eventually sees you or checks your social media, you want the contrast to be noticeable.

Physical glow up:

  • Start a workout routine (exercise also helps with breakup anxiety)
  • Update your hairstyle or try something new
  • Invest in skincare or self-care routines
  • Dress in ways that make you feel confident

Mental glow up:

  • Read books that interest you
  • Learn a new skill or hobby
  • Work on personal goals you neglected
  • Consider therapy to process the breakup healthily

Why it works:

When he sees you thriving—not just surviving—it creates cognitive dissonance. He expected you to fall apart. Instead, you are flourishing. This forces him to question his decision.

Important: Do this for yourself first. The glow up that attracts him back is the one rooted in genuine self-improvement, not performance.

Tip 3: Strategic Social Media

Your social media presence matters during this period. He will check. The question is what he will see when he does.

What to post:

  • Photos with friends having genuine fun
  • New activities or experiences you are trying
  • Accomplishments or milestones
  • Looking your best (but naturally, not obviously posed)
  • Content that shows you are living fully

What NOT to post:

  • Sad quotes or cryptic messages about heartbreak
  • Anything that looks like it is directed at him
  • Photos with other guys intended to make him jealous (transparent and backfires)
  • Constant posting that looks desperate for attention
  • Nothing at all (complete radio silence can seem like hiding)

The balance: Post less frequently than usual, but make each post count. Quality over quantity. You want to appear like someone with an interesting life who does not spend all day on social media.

Pro tip: Do not check if he viewed your stories. The anxiety is not worth it. Post and forget.

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Tip 4: Do Not Chase, Attract

This mindset shift changes everything. Chasing energy repels. Attractive energy draws in.

Chasing looks like:

  • Reaching out repeatedly despite no response
  • Trying to convince him through logic or emotion
  • Being available instantly whenever he texts
  • Adjusting your schedule around potential contact
  • Making decisions based on what might bring him back

Attracting looks like:

  • Living your life fully regardless of his attention
  • Responding warmly but not desperately when contact happens
  • Maintaining your standards and boundaries
  • Focusing energy on your own growth and happiness
  • Being genuinely okay whether he returns or not

The psychology: Men are drawn to women who have their own lives. When you stop chasing, you signal that you do not need him to be complete. Paradoxically, that makes you more attractive.

The hardest part: Actually meaning it. You cannot fake this energy. You have to genuinely invest in yourself until your wellbeing stops depending on his return.

Tip 5: Live Your Best Life

This tip sounds cliche but it is the foundation everything else builds on.

What "best life" actually means:

  • Reconnecting with friends you may have neglected
  • Pursuing hobbies and interests that fulfill you
  • Setting and working toward personal goals
  • Experiencing new things and saying yes to opportunities
  • Building a life you are genuinely excited about

Why it works:

First, it creates natural social proof. He sees (directly or through the grapevine) that you are thriving. Second, it makes you genuinely happier, which shows in everything from your posture to your social media. Third, if he does come back, you will be the best version of yourself—not someone who put life on hold waiting.

The secret: At some point, living your best life becomes the goal rather than the tactic. When you reach that point, you have already won regardless of whether he returns.

Woman laughing with friends at outdoor brunch in golden hour light

How Long Until He Misses You

Understanding when men start missing you helps set realistic expectations:

Week 1-2: Relief phase

He may feel freedom and validation for his decision. Do not panic—this is normal and temporary.

Week 2-4: Distraction phase

He fills the void with work, friends, or other activities. Misses are brief and easily suppressed.

Week 4-6: Reality phase

Distractions lose effectiveness. Quiet moments bring you to mind. The first real pangs of missing usually appear here.

Week 6-8+: Processing phase

Deep reflection begins. He evaluates whether leaving was right. Positive memories become more accessible. This is when reaching out often happens.

Variables that affect timing:

  • How long you were together (longer relationships = longer processing)
  • Whether he has distractions like rebounds
  • His attachment style (avoidants take longer)
  • How the relationship ended
Abstract hourglass with glowing particles representing time passing

Signs He Is Starting to Miss You

Watch for these indicators that the tips are working:

Direct signs:

  • He reaches out (even with weak excuses)
  • He asks mutual friends about you
  • He comments on or likes your posts after silence
  • He brings up memories when you do talk

Indirect signs:

  • He views all your stories immediately
  • Mutual friends mention he has been "different"
  • He posts things that seem directed at you
  • He shows up at places he knows you frequent

Behavioral signs:

  • His contact becomes warmer and more personal
  • He finds reasons to extend conversations
  • He suggests meeting up
  • He asks if you are seeing anyone

Important note: Do not look for signs obsessively. This creates anxiety and makes you more likely to break your strategy. Trust the process and focus on yourself.


Making him miss you after a breakup is less about specific tactics and more about who you become in his absence. The woman who chases him is someone he can take for granted. The woman who builds an amazing life is someone he wonders about.

Focus on the tips that improve your actual life—the missing will follow.

Ready to Start Your No Contact Journey?

Track your progress, get AI coaching when the urge to text hits, and become the strongest version of yourself.

Free to start • No credit card required

Related topics

Ex BackNo ContactMale PsychologySelf Improvement

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