Have you been living your life happily, minding your own business and out of the blue received a ‘follow’ request on Instagram from none other than your ex? If it’s been a while since the two of you dated, it may seem odd that they now want to follow you. Maybe you’d completely stopped thinking about them and assumed they’d done the same. If you’re wondering “why did my ex follow me on Instagram” then read on to find out why they may have done this.
Reason 1. They’re bored
Why do most of us scroll through our newsfeed on Facebook or Instagram? It’s probably because we’ve got a couple of minutes (or longer) that we want to kill. Your ex may be bored of their own life and therefore want to know what’s going on in yours.
Before you feel flattered that they think you’re special and may still have feelings for you, think again. The most likely reason your ex followed you on Instagram is because they are bored. Yep. Maybe they’re going through a dry spell in their dating life. Or, they’ve found themselves sitting at home alone on a Friday night and are figuring out how to kill time.
Reason 2. They’re curious about you (don’t mistaken this as them caring about you)
If your ex requested to follow you on Instagram, they are at least a teeny bit curious about your life. They’re probably hoping to learn about your life and what you’ve been up to during the time that you’ve been apart. They might be curious about whether you still look the same or whether you’ve changed.
It’s possible that someone spoke about you in conversation to your ex, causing them to think of you and wonder how you’re doing. Or, they may have been reminded of you by something in their daily life. This could be anything from a song that the two of you used to love, or even an object that they found at home that you’d gifted them.
Related: My Ex Reached Out Then Ghosted Me. Why did they do this?
Reason 3. They miss you
Even long after a relationship is over, it’s common to miss certain things about an ex. That’s not to say everyone misses their exes but maybe yours does. Perhaps they never quite got over you after the two of you broke up. Or maybe they’ve dated other people but no one quite compares to you. Maybe you’re the one that got away.
Even if they miss you, however, it does not necessarily mean that they want you back in their life. They may be happy simply stalking your Instagram posts. However, if they miss you a lot plus regret that the relationship between you ended, this is quite different. They may have followed you on Instagram as a way of working their way back into your life.
Reason 4. They’re unhappy in their current relationship
It’s possible that your ex is dating someone else at the moment but they are unhappy in the relationship. They may not be totally compatible with their current partner and feel that the relationship is lacking certain things. They might be bored with the person their dating but not want to break up. Or, they may even be having a lot of conflict. Who knows?
Perhaps their present situation has caused them to look back into the past and think of you. They may feel that the relationship between you and them made them happy in ways that they currently are not. It’s possible they feel confused about what to do and followed you on Instagram because they are unhappy and don’t know what to do.
Reason 5. Your ex is lonely
Unfortunately, your ex may have followed you on Instagram because they feel lonely. Perhaps they’ve recently been struggling to connect with other people. Or, they may be newly single after another breakup. They may even be surrounded by loved ones but still feel isolated. Lacking people around you who understand or empathize with you can cause loneliness. They may have followed you because they miss the feeling of connection they had with you during your relationship. It’s possible they are even going through something in life and miss how you used to listen to them and offer emotional support.
Reason 6. They want to be friends
If your ex followed you on Instagram with a view to rebuilding some sort of relationship, it’s possible that they are looking to be friends. Perhaps enough time has passed since your relationship ended for them to be completely over you. They may have done some thinking and concluded that you’re a cool, interesting person and they respect you. As a result, they want you back in their life as a friend.
What should I do if my ex followed me on Instagram?
It’s completely up to you. If you don’t mind them viewing your posts and potentially receiving DMs from them, then go ahead and let them follow you. You may be in a place emotionally where they do not affect you at all, in which case having them as a friend on Instagram is no biggie. However, if you feel that the relationship between you and your ex is awkward or challenging, then you may be better off refusing their follow request on Instagram.
Having your ex as a friend on Instagram does not mean you are obligated to respond to all their comments or messages. If you think their messages warrant a response and you are happy to do so, then feel free. However, if you prefer to keep things polite and maintain boundaries with your ex, you have every right to do so.
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