Annoyed with ex

[rosieposie5]

Me and my ex boyfriend of a year broke up 5 years ago just before covid, it wasn't a breakup I wanted, I thought things were going in the right direction until he started to become distant and broke up with me saying he didn't feel the same anymore.

Weeks after I found out, he was seeing someone else. I was devastated. But blocked him and started to work on healing. His new relationship lasted about a year and he started trying to reach out to me a few times, sending me messages saying he hoped I was ok which I ignored as I wasn't over things at that point.

Another year or so later, he popped up as one of my likes on Hinge and wrote to me saying he "really want to speak to me and apologise but I'd never let him". At this point I felt I was over things, so I matched with him and explained I had only matched in order to clear to air. I explained how hurt I had been about everything, how I knew he wasn't honest that there hadn't been somebody else etc. He said he was really really sorry and that I'm a good person he didn't want to hurt me and that he wasn't trying to rekindle anything as he knew that wouldn't be what I wanted. I wished him well, he did the same, and that was it. I unmatched.

A few months later he had a new girlfriend. I continued to date and try to find someone online. About 6 months have passed since I know he got together with the new gf, and it appears he is single again as again he has popped up on Hinge.

He has 'liked' one of my photos on Hinge, but hasn't wrote a message with the like to explain why. I'm quite annoyed as I felt we had cleared the air and finally had closure, but him liking my photo but without even writing a message makes me feel like actually, he really disrespects me and is trying to get into my head making me wonder why. Sending just a like on a app without a message is very low effort.

I haven't accepted the match and are continuing to look for someone new, but things had felt ok after our closure chat and now I'm wondering why if he didn't want to hurt me and was truly sorry, he wouldn't just leave me alone to get on with my life?

He sounds like a bit of a serial dater, moving from one woman to the next, and trying to a keep a few 'potentials' waiting in the wings or for the odd ego boost here and there. He's probably doing the same to other ex's too. Sounds like you handled yourself well. The 'like' was probably to get you to re-engage OR, it was just a like and he thought nothing more of it.

Either way, I'd ignore and avoid. He had his chance.

I agree with the above comment. Try your best to ignore it and don't overthink it, just let it float over your head. If he really was regretful of letting you go in the first place there'd be way more effort involved. I tend to agree with the user above that it's an wgo boost for him if you take him on. He just can't be single and alone, there always has to be another woman to fall back on. Uts a serious red flag. And I bet after a while together he'd cheat again during a rough patch and have another woman to message.
Keep healing and looking after you. You'll meet someone when you least expect it that won't behave in this way

Definitely avoiding and ignoring, but I'm just feeling irritated that after all this time, he still lacks any respect for me, despite me doing the right thing

He's selfish and wants what he wants when he wants (sometimes you, sometimes another girl). Find your anger and ignore/block him.

Sorry you were treated so badly but please don't waste anymore energy on thinking about him or his reasons.

Just block his profile. He's a headfuck you don't need!