We all know that when you break up with someone, the best revenge is to move on and leave your ex behind completely. But when you’re seething with pain and anger, you may find yourself wondering about how to make your ex jealous so that they realize what they’ve lost, and perhaps, experience the same angst that you’re suffering through. It can be hard to resist the temptation to imagine different ways you can make your ex simmer in jealousy and experience a cathartic release of your own pain.   

Whether you’re wondering how to make your ex-boyfriend jealous or looking for novel ideas on how to make your ex-girlfriend jealous, we have got just the bag of tricks for you to try. It’s important to note that we don’t necessarily recommend any of these tricks or endorse playing games with your ex’s feelings. But if you’re going to do it, you should at least be smart about it and do it in the best possible way.

Does Making Your Ex Jealous Work?

Your ex-partner right, after a breakup, is probably just as sad as you — if not more. No matter who ended things, the pain and the blow are suffered by both people and they too are suffering pangs where they miss you and want to reach out to you. So if you want to make your ex a bit jealous and ensure that they feel terrible about losing you, there are several things you can try. 

For instance, if you’re wondering how to make your ex-boyfriend jealous, posting pictures with another guy can work. Likewise, if you’re trying to figure out how to make your ex-girlfriend jealous, letting her see that you’re having a good time without her or excelling at your fantastic new job can be the way to go.

While making an ex feel jealous is easy, whether or not it will work as intended depends on what you seek to gain from it. If you’re trying to make your ex jealous to make him miss you or to make sure she doesn’t lose interest in you, you can easily make it happen. If your objective is to make them realize what they’ve lost, you can possibly stir up pangs of regret in their mind, even if fleetingly. But if you want to make your ex jealous to make them come back to you, there is no way to guarantee that it will play out the way you want it to. 

Reconciliation after a breakup depends on a myriad of factors and may not always be a good idea. Besides, using jealousy as a tool to try to win your ex back is an unhealthy approach and a red flag that suggests you may want to get back together for all the wrong reasons. 

Related Reading: 9 Probable Reasons You Still Think About Your Ex

15 Proven Tricks To Make Your Ex Jealous

Trying to make an ex jealous may seem petty but it isn’t about making them feel terrible but a way of soothing your own pain as you try to work through a breakup and deal with a torrent of emotions it leaves in its wake. Yes, the goal is to genuinely take time to heal and find yourself first. Focus on all the good things in your life. And if, on the way, you can make your ex super jealous and drive them crazy, well, that’s just the cherry on top of the cake. Isn’t it?

Think about the fabulous sweethearts of Calabasas – Travis Baker and Kourtney Kardashian. Kourtney and her ex, Scott Disick, had a long and tumultuous decade-long relationship. When Kourtney broke up with Scott, there was bitterness on both sides, as things usually go. Following the announcement of Kourtney’s marriage, Scott couldn’t help but go into a very public jealous meltdown. Even though Kourtney was no doubt deliriously happy to get married to the love of her life, seeing her toxic ex seething with jealousy must’ve felt cathartic in its own way. 

So without further ado, let us all first accept that there is a Kourtney within each and every one of us. And to unleash it, we should play it safe and smart. Let’s find out how to make your ex go green with envy with these 15 proven and effective tricks:

1. Be seen in the right places with the right people

Whether it’s at a party you know your ex will be attending or at an event you’re sure they’ll hear about, make sure you get there with someone else. Make it someone who is really different from your ex. They could be someone from a different gender than your ex, someone with a totally different lifestyle than yours, or maybe even a local artist that you started dating! The point is to make sure that your ex hears about this encounter, or sees it firsthand. This way, they feel like they don’t fit the criteria of what you’re interested in anymore and will have the desired effect.

Related Reading: 18 Dating Tips To Find The Right Person

2. Don’t seek your ex in times of trouble

If you are wondering how to make your ex jealous, don’t ask them for favors or help, don’t do things that you would normally do with a partner, and don’t go running to them with your problems. We know that getting on with your life after a breakup is hard. Everything reminds you of your ex and suddenly even doing basic chores feels like a Herculean task.

However, in those moments you need to stay strong and resist the urge to text or call them. No matter how weak or broken you feel within, do not let your ex see it. When you talk to your ex, don’t act like they are the only person who understands you. Show them that their guidance/opinions don’t really matter to you anymore. They need to see that you can live life well without them in it.

When Rihanna and Chris Brown broke up, people speculated that she will swear off dating forever. Look at her now! She is the CEO of Fenty Beauty, the world’s most profitable makeup and lifestyle company. She and ASAP Rocky are also parents to a beautiful newborn baby. And Chris Brown has faded into irrelevancy.

3. Stop contacting them

If you want to make your ex feel jealous and want you back, you need to follow the no-contact rule after the breakup. Stop calling, texting, emailing, and even following them on social media. If you run into them somewhere, be nonchalant in your demeanor. Don’t let them see that you’re hurting or are excited to see them. If they text you, take hours to respond back. If they call you, keep the conversation short and hang up on some pretext. The idea is to let them see that you’re affected by their absence. 

4. Start dating other people

If you want to know how to make your ex green with jealousy, start going out on dates. Realizing that you are moving on and you are no longer stuck pining over them is sure to get them all riled up. The jealousy, in turn, will push them to want to get back together with you. If your ex has feelings for you, they will be hurt by the idea of having lost you to another person.

If they want you back, they may do something about it to win you over once again. Dating again after your breakup is still a win-win situation, even if they don’t want you back, since it allows you to freely move on with your life. This move will help you find someone who will appreciate you more and treats you better.

Quick tip: If you are thinking about “how to make my ex jealous on WhatsApp,” put up a display picture of you with another person (maybe a particular person that your ex dislikes) and watch them burn.

5. Post pictures to make your ex jealous

Posting pictures to make your ex jealous almost always does the trick. Irrespective of whether you still follow each other on social media or have unfollowed/blocked your ex, keep posting your life updates, especially those involving happy moments with attractive people. Trust us when we tell you, one way or the other, these pictures will reach your ex and leave them seething with jealousy.  

The bottom line is that the key to figuring out how to make your ex jealous is to live your best life and let your ex see it. Not because of your breakup, but in spite of it. In the end, whether this works or not, you get to dress up, go out, and hang out with people! What’s to lose?

Related Reading: Expert Tips – How To Reconnect After A Relationship Break

6. Look your best, inside out

Working on yourself is an important part of the ‘make your ex jealous psychology’. And we cannot stress this enough. If you want to know how to make your ex turn furious with jealousy, one of the most important things that you need to do is look good and feel great. As they say, the post-breakup glow-up will always hit the hardest.

You may be going through a lot on the inside but you must appear unaffected by the breakup. Be in good shape, eat well, wipe away those tears, and bring out those fancy earrings you thought didn’t look good on you. If they see that you are still glowing and happy without them, they will get jealous. Also, if you ever bump into your ex’s friends at a party, brush up on your flirting tips, and flirt hard! This will drive your ex absolutely crazy.

Think of Selena Gomez after her breakup with Justin Bieber. The former Disney star had a very public breakup and a lot of people speculated that the breakup would bring about the end of Selena’s career. Not only did she prove them wrong, but she also came back with vengeance. Selena Gomez went on to launch a best-selling album and even became a brand ambassador for huge fashion brands like Puma and Coach.

7. Start living a more exciting life, and don’t fake it

Use this post-breakup phase to stir a dash of excitement into your life by doing fun and interesting things that make you happy. Post updates on your social media where you know your ex stalks you sometimes. It’s not always about bragging or showing off. It’s about making them realize that they’re missing out on something great by not being with you. If you don’t have any exciting hobbies or interests, start looking for them.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a sport, a hobby, or a volunteer activity—do anything that makes you truly happy. Not only will it get your ex to feel terrible, but it will also improve your life and help you get over the breakup more easily. If you want to know how to make your ex feel jealous, be real! The other advantage of this tip is that you will get to meet people without dating apps when you start doing more outdoor activities. Who knows, you might just find someone special or make new friends when you are out and about, enjoying your life.

Quick tip: If you fake it all the way, it becomes too obvious, and that is going to work against you. If they notice that you are trying too hard to get their attention, it will make them feel sorry for you. And that is not the goal here. So, keep it real.

8. Ghost your ex-girlfriend/ex-boyfriend

Contrary to popular belief, one of the best ways to make an ex a bit jealous of your new life without them, is by NOT talking to them at all. The more you contact your ex, the less interest they will have in you. Why? Because all you’re doing is confirming that your ex doesn’t need to do anything further to get you back. Creating jealousy is sometimes also about practicing distance. Leaving your ex in oblivion can feel like a massive punishment. So, yes, you do need to learn how to ignore someone you’re attracted to or, at least, curious about. 

Quick tip: Let your mutual friends keep your ex in the loop about what you are doing or what you are up to in life. They may not always see it or hear it from you, but they can hear about it from your friends.

9. Get in good shape to drive them crazy

Thinking about how to make your ex jealous? It is time to focus on your fitness. Going for a run or hitting the gym might seem like a strange way to get back at an ex, but it works wonders. When your body starts looking better than ever, your ex will realize that they’ve lost something special by letting you go.

After a breakup, your ex is hoping to see you wearing old sweatpants, eating a tub of ice cream, and crying while watching a rom-com on Netflix. And while that is a reality for most of us, your ex needs to see a completely different side of the coin. So make your ex jealous on social media by posting pictures in new outfits that hug you in all the right places, because you finally put that gym membership to good use.

Getting fit also makes you feel happier and more confident, which will boost your confidence when talking to other people or even flirting at the gym. Khloe Kardashian has a show on this very premise called The Revenge Body. The look on the faces of most exes when they realize how healthy and fit their former partners have become after breaking up is so gratifying! This is a great way to make your ex go crazy for you.

10. Visit places where you used to go with your ex

This is a simple trick that works like a charm. If you used to go out to dinner or drinks together on Friday night, take someone else with you to the same place. It will not only remove the nostalgic sadness that you associate with the place now but also invite someone else’s energy into a familiar place and make it anew. Or the first place that you and your ex went to as a couple which holds a special place in your heart — try to go there with a friend and create a whole new memory of it.

Make sure that your ex sees you there with your friend on social media. They will be so jealous because they’ll remember what it was like when they were with you, and will find it hard to lose interest in you. Remember to post ample pictures of you enjoying yourself. Take your ex down memory lane; that’s our pro tip on how to make your ex jealous.

Related Reading: 30 Self-Care And Wellbeing Gift Ideas – Because You Deserve The Best

11. Get a new look

The easiest way to get under your ex’s skin is to get a new look. This will, no doubt, drive them crazy. This is a classic trick that has worked on countless people and is straight out of the ‘make your ex jealous psychology’ handbook. Not only will it give you a fresh look to don, it will also make your ex extra jealous and upset.

Get a new haircut, get a tan, or just get a new pair of shoes. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as it’s clearly visible to your ex. When they see it, they will feel curious about you or what’s going on in your life. Your perceived detachment will hurt them to the core. They might want to come back—the decision is then yours, you get to decide whether you want to give the relationship a second chance or walk away for good.

12. Go out with friends regularly

The best way to make your ex think you’ve moved on is to hang out with your friends. You need to go out with your friends at least once a week so that they see that you are having fun without them. This will make them feel jealous as they realize that they miss spending time with you and that they’re missing out on your life. This way, they might want to come back into it. Try to make them jealous by spending time with friends who are unfamiliar to your ex. Shower lots of love on them in your social media stories. Your ex is going to hate it, even if they are just your friends.

13. Take a trip

Taking a trip is another way to drive an ex insane and to do it right, you have to post lots of photos to make them feel jealous. They’ll see your pictures on social media and think that you’re having fun without them, which might make them sad or nostalgic. A lot of people take trips with their friends after a breakup. This is usually a good idea because it allows you to spend time with your friends instead of moping over your ex for days on end.

It also helps to feel loved by people who care about you and is liberating to see what else is out there. This tip should work out for you if you have the magic touch and can instantly make them feel jealous without doing much. Remember to use the magic wisely and don’t be arrogant about it. When your ex will see something fun happening on your trip, it might remind them of your first overnight trip together.

Remember Julia Roberts in the 2010 movie Eat, Pray, Love? She went on a backpacking trip through Italy, India, and Bali after divorcing her husband. And wouldn’t you know it, she found the love of her life through her self-discovery journey! So even if your ex does not turn into a green-eyed monster from your trip, the best part is that you will still have a lot of fun and make new memories.

Related Reading: 9 Reasons Ignoring Your Ex Is Powerful

14. Show off your achievements

Nothing sparks jealousy like flaunting all the ways you’re thriving. Whether you’ve landed a new job, completed a personal project, or achieved a fitness milestone, subtly share these accomplishments with your mutual circle or on social media. It’s not about boasting but letting your progress speak for itself. 

It shows that your life is progressing in meaningful ways, and you’re becoming the best version of yourself. Success is attractive, and seeing you win can make your ex regret losing you. When your ex sees you succeeding and moving forward, it can leave them wondering why they’re no longer part of your exciting journey.

15. Build new connections with people who matter

Forge genuine relationships with influential or charismatic people in your social or professional circle. Join a club, attend networking events, or participate in community activities where you can meet dynamic people. Or start dating again. Imagine your ex scrolling through social media and seeing you laughing with a new group of interesting friends—they’re bound to wonder what they’re missing out on and question why they let you go.

Infographic On Dos And Don’ts Of Making Your Ex Jealous

When you’re trying to make your ex jealous, it is very easy to go overboard and end up coming across as desperate or doing something that can be extremely hurtful to your former partner. It’s important to always be mindful of the impact of your actions and not act rashly, no matter how badly you want to make your ex suffer for all the pain they’ve inflicted on you. However, that’s easier said than done when emotions are running high. That’s why we’ve put together this list of dos and don’ts for making your ex jealous so that you don’t cross a line:  

Final Thoughts

So, now that you know how to make your ex feel jealous, we’re sure that your ex will be left wondering how you got these new skills and moves that you never displayed before. Just 13 tips can make sure your ex misses you like before. But play it smart. Don’t get carried away or let them ambush you into arguments. Show off your fantastic new job, hang out with more friends, look amazing, and travel all over the world! That is the surefire way to make them miss you.

15 Clever Ways to Turn Down An Ex Who Wants To Be Friends

18 Proven Ways To Get Over Your Ex-Boyfriend And Find Happiness

15 Signs You Are Still Not Over Your Ex

Your contribution does not constitute a charitable donation. It will allow Bonobology to continue bringing you new and up-to-date information in our pursuit of helping anyone in the world to learn how to do anything.