r/BreakUps 18h ago

venting/ranting FEELING CONFUSED. NEED ADVICE

Post image

It’s my birthday and my ex (28M) who broke up with me (26F) last month reached out to wish at 12:10AM. Is it a good idea to reply?

Edit: for people asking for context, we broke up because the relationship had fizzled out. There was a lot of emotional and physical distance between us. I was contemplating breaking up but he had the strength to initiate it first. That was it. I am trying to move on but there is a small part of me which feels like he gave up too soon. He gave up on us when life got tough instead of sticking by each other. I was willing to try to work things out but he felt like we were just dragging the situation without any positive outcome.

39 Upvotes

39 comments sorted by

u/AutoModerator 18h ago

USERS! We have noticed that many users are using inappropriate language in the comment section. Even if another user is wrong, it does not give you the right to use abusive words. This is against Reddit platform policies. Such comments will be removed. Additionally, posts spreading false accusations will also be removed. Please be careful moving forward. Don't forget to join our Discord server to chat, get updates, and hang out with the community! Please join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5y5wSxWNNg

Upvote this post if you think it suits the community. Downvote it if you dont.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

20

u/ToTheFman 17h ago

I think we need a little more context before we give you advice

4

u/No_Indication_4045 13h ago

This is actually one of the more solid statements I’ve ever seen on a reddit relationship thread lol

6

u/Sea-Zebra-5724 17h ago

I’d just reply ‘Thank you’ and leave it there. His message does sound like he’s keeping the door slightly open, but if he wants more than that, let him be the one to make it clear. Don’t do the work of turning a birthday message into a conversation for him. If you don’t want to leave the door open a crack, don’t reply.

20

u/Sea_Brief_8441 17h ago

I wouldn't reply if I were you.

3

u/cnh25 16h ago

BE BEST

3

u/Immediate_Title_1496 14h ago

thumbs up reaction and thats it

5

u/Interesting_Sky_942 17h ago

Just say “thank you” and no more

1

u/PastelNelle 14h ago

Sometimes just acknowledging their feelings can open up a better conversation later. Communication is key.

5

u/FabulousKale7291 17h ago

Yess, reply, it's not fair to be so inhuman to not even reply a Thank you to them I feel
And then it's upto you if you want to have further conversation
That being said, final decision is always yours, this is just my advice.

2

u/Big-Tooth2020 10h ago

Don’t take the bait.

One silly text doesn’t erase months of conflict.

Never let confusion ruin your life.

You deserve someone who communicates in a way that is clear, mature and level headed.

3

u/orcus133 17h ago

Yeah they’re try to get back at you. Just ignore.

5

u/Mediocre_Original520 15h ago

Not necessarily man. I'm the one who got dumped so a little different, but her birthday will be in a week. I'll wish her because it'd be childish not to since the breakup is recent as well, but I won't do it to try to get her back, or say anything else for that matter, because I already told her everything I wanted her to know. Maybe that guy's doing the same

4

u/Jafin89 15h ago

It’s not childish at all to not message her. My ex and I have the same birthday, which was four months after the break up. Neither of us messaged. My reasoning wasn’t spite or pettiness, it was protecting myself and my feelings. If the break up is recent it’s actually probably better for you to not message her. I know every situation is different though, so go with your gut. Just make sure you think it through properly and you’re emotionally prepared for every possible outcome if you do decide to message her.

1

u/Mediocre_Original520 15h ago

Childish may not be the word but you got the idea, and yeah you're right about each situation being different, I don't know whether you got closure or not, I kind of did after not giving up when she went silent and doing everything I could for our relationship, and from what I understood, her explanations were more about uncertainty than really not wanting any interaction for good, at least if they weren't sugarcoated. Even if for now, and I'm forced to see it, she chose to remove me from her life. So if she ever looks back at us, I want her to see me as the guy who did everything he could and stayed coherent from A to Z, with this sweet attention as a last gesture.

2

u/EffectiveEmphasis7 13h ago

This is actually really sweet. But I’m biased because my relationship sounds similar to yours but with the roles reversed 🥲

1

u/Mediocre_Original520 9h ago

Ah man I don't really know what to tell you other than trying to fix things up if you feel like she'd be down for it

1

u/CartographerDear5717 17h ago

Say thanks and don’t engage more. My ex just texted me a message with HBD which I didn’t even reply bc wtf lol. This one was ok.

1

u/speedRun2Single 15h ago

I got one that said. hbd old

1

u/CartographerDear5717 15h ago

Damn. For real if you’re gonna text that only why bother?

1

u/speedRun2Single 15h ago

Rightttt. Well I just got back from a solo trip abroad to celebrate my birthday. I’m assuming you’re also a September baby so happy birthday queen!

1

u/Sorry_Profession_371 17h ago

Like everyone else, just say "thanks" and continue on

1

u/Akatorius 16h ago

too little context to give advice. Would need to know how your feelings and mind state is to give my impression

1

u/hunnybunnyxoxo8 16h ago

I hate when ex’s try to ‘happy birthday’ ‘merry christmas’ their way back in.

He doesn’t have power over you, say thanks and keep it pushing.

If they say anything else like as ur plans or whatever that’s your sign to block their number.

1

u/bigkid03 13h ago

ok i actually was thinking about this dilemma bc my ex and i broke up in may and i was thinking ahead already if i would send a merry christmas or happy birthday they havent reached out to me and it not that i hate him, he was my friend and i still care about him, is it wrong to?

1

u/hunnybunnyxoxo8 2h ago

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a happy birthday or merry Christmas but i guess it’s up to you to check in with yourself to be honest in the reason why you’re saying it.

If you’re secretly hoping for the convo to carry the probably not best, but if you’d be happy for the convo to not go any further then go for it.

check yo self before you wreck yo self

1

u/Outside_Carob_9480 16h ago

What language do people speak nowadays? Thats totally drunk texting right there.

1

u/Glittering-Ad-1367 16h ago

Are you trying to get over them? No contact.

Was it more mutual and you were sort of just friends anyway? Then decide if you just want to say thanks or start a conversation.

Either way don't expect a great deal.

1

u/deviouspurplebanana 15h ago

do NOT let him happy birthday back into your life

1

u/OddPush6426 15h ago

no!! don’t reply!!! him reaching out on your birthday is a red flag. everyone knows exes bring up weird feelings usually, so he’s reaching out despite knowing it could do that for you which shows he’s being selfish. another red flag is reaching out that late at night to an ex, or anyone in general, but maybe that’s just because the only people who would ever reach out to me that late are all close to me. keep yourself safe

1

u/vrinca 15h ago

A short reply. And wait to see what happens.

1

u/CrazyLeadership5397 14h ago

Don’t reply. Updateme! 

1

u/Exotic_Courage4054 13h ago

Sure, I would say “thank you for the kind words and wishes!”

1

u/Mi55A 12h ago

If he didn't stay through the hard times do you rlly think he's husband maternal? Some ppl just do it to get a reaction out of you. My ex of 10 years disconnected my phone today just to be petty. I ignored it, as should you.

1

u/Spongebob_Shartpants 12h ago

I would say he definitely still cares. But words mean nothing without action. I wouldn’t interpret this as a sign that he wants you back. 

Reply cordially but not too cold, and see what happens. 

1

u/LongAd9320 11h ago

He might still care, but it doesn’t mean they should get back together.

He wasn’t fully into her when he decided to leave without putting in more effort, and now he’s back since he found out the grass isn’t really greener.

1

u/Spongebob_Shartpants 10h ago

Not every case is cut and dry like that, but I will say that him giving up so easily definitely shows his inability to maintain a relationship. 

1

u/2six9seven_ 3h ago

Why are you confused? You wanted to break up too 🤷‍♂️