Reason #2: You are seeking validation.
A toxic partner is probably the best hype man you could ever ask for – when they want something from you. Exes know how to make you feel good because they know you well. They know how to sweet talk you into seeing things their way – typically through manipulation and gaslighting.
Your toxic ex knows how to validate your feelings and thoughts to get what they want. You know this is an act, but you cannot help yourself. But remember, you left them for a reason.
Reason #3: It’s easier than dating at times.
Dating is hard. You have to figure out where you want to look for a date and look into online dating and dating apps, and everyone wants your Snap instead of your number… it’s a nightmare if you’ve been off the market for a while.
It can seem overwhelming when faced with all the choices and trying to get the hang of all the new dating trends you missed out on since being in a relationship.
So when you are faced with starting over and trying to make it work with your toxic ex – for some, the ex is the easier choice. Whether it is for laziness or fear of getting back out there, people sometimes choose to go back to a toxic ex rather than start over fresh in single life.
Reason #4: You have a skewed perception of love now.
Toxic exes can damage the way you perceive and feel about love. Everyone has their idea of what love is. However, if a toxic ex has damaged that idea, you might be inclined to fall back into toxic cycles with an ex just because you don’t look at love the same way anymore.
Reasons #5: You have trauma you haven’t dealt with.
Trauma comes in all shapes and sizes and tends to resurface repeatedly until you deal with it. For example, trauma developed from a bad relationship can be particularly damaging. One way people deal with trauma is by looking at the past and directly facing the source of their trauma.