how can i tell if i'm being used as a rebound? — Anonymous

Thank you for your question. It’s important to be in a relationship where the other person is there for you and values who you are. What often happens in a rebound situation is that the person coming out of a relationship dates someone in order to feel good for a while and then moves on. Some of the signs you may be in a rebound relationship include:

  • The person just got out of a long-term, serious relationship.
  • The person just got out of a marriage.
  • The person says they don’t want a serious relationship.
  • The person says they just want to have fun.
  • The person talks a lot about their previous relationship.
  • The person doesn’t seem to be ready to commit to you, or in other cases, is too eager to commit and get into a serious relationship.
  • The person needs a lot of support and help but doesn’t give you a lot.
  • The person compares you to their previous relationship.
  • Your inner voice tells you you’re in a rebound relationship.

Think about your current situation. If something doesn’t feel quite right, listen to your intuition. In a healthy relationship, the person is fully available, healthy, ready to focus their attention on you and doesn’t have baggage from a relationship that just ended. Remember that you deserve to be with someone who wants a healthy, meaningful relationship with you. Take care.