How to Make Your Ex Jealous & Leave Them Begging for Forgiveness

Jealousy is powerful. When it comes to love, it’s normal to want to know how to make your ex jealous. You want them to feel something! Here’s how. 

However your relationship ended, wanting to make your ex jealous is pretty normal. Love stirs up strange emotions sometimes and when things don’t go as smoothly as you’d planned, it’s normal to want to leave them with a reminder of how great you are. If you want to learn how to make your ex jealous, the good news is that it’s pretty easy to figure it out.

Whether you call it the green-eyed monster or something else entirely, jealousy is powerful.

It can lead you to take action when you don’t really want to, and it can cause you to look back and think “why did I do that?”

Of course, you might want your ex back and in that case, making them jealous could be the ideal way to make them realize what a catch you were.

If not, perhaps you just want to leave them with a reminder of how much you rock. Either way, jealousy is a good way to achieve both.

[Read: Jealousy vs envy: How to tell them apart when they feel the same]

What is jealousy and why does it work?

Jealousy is a strong emotion. It’s different to envy, although it can often look the same. When you’re learning how to make your ex jealous, you’ll want to make them to have a strong emotion to seeing you with someone else, or to looking fantastic.

Basically, they wish that they were still with you, even if they don’t want to admit it.

Everyone wants what they can’t have. People also have a tendency to realize what they had when it’s no longer theirs. So if your ex sees that someone else has snagged you or that you’re really amazing and it’s only their loss, they’ll be seeing you in a whole new light.

When they can’t have you anymore, they start to see the best qualities in you. They’ll start to miss those things. Making them realize that someone else now gets to bask in all of those good things will make them want you back.

Of course, it’s up to you whether you want them back too; perhaps you just want to give them a kick up the backside and make them see what they missed out on. [Read: Does my ex miss me? 23 signs your ex clearly isn’t over you yet]

How to make your ex jealous and beg for you to come back

If you really want to get back at your ex or just get them back in general, jealousy will be your friend. Making them jealous will be sure to give you their attention. However, there are very specific things you have to do in order to make them want you back.

Here’s what you need to know about how to make your ex jealous. Don’t just walk in and start making out with someone right in front of them. That will likely have a very negative effect.

Instead, you need to be subtle. Try these things.

1. Let them see you having fun

Something that can really make anyone jealous is when someone else is having more fun than they are. When your ex sees that you’re not hurt or upset by them leaving, it’ll shock them.

They’ll start becoming jealous that they’re not in your happy life. When they see you having a lot of fun, they’ll wish they were still there to be having just as much fun with you. [Read: How to have fun with friends and make your ex envy you]

2. Be with someone else

This is really your standard, go-to for knowing how to make your ex jealous. You get someone new. Find someone better looking than them and show them off. Bring them around your ex and watch them squirm.

They’ll get so annoyed you moved on so quickly and will be really jealous it’s with someone seemingly better than them.

The only thing you have to be careful with is not to do too much with this new person in front of them. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should USE another person to make your ex jealous. If you want to do this, make sure this new person is clued up and on board with the plan – there’s never an excuse for hurting other people. [Read: How to know when a guy is jealous – 25 hints he just can’t hide]

3. Ignore them

If you really want to drive your ex crazy, ignore them completely.

We’re not talking about ignoring them if they’re right in your face. However, if they text or call or reach out at all, ignore them at first. Make sure they’re good and jealous before you reply again.

They’ll wonder what has got you so busy that you aren’t replying immediately and they’ll be green with jealousy! [Read: 12 ways to ignore someone easily]

4. Be kind toward them and their friends

This will really make them crazy. When they left you, they expected you to be heartbroken.

So if you walk back into their life with smiles, warmth, and kindness, it’ll make them see what they missed out on. They’ll see that you’re doing better without them and that will drive them around the bend!

5. Give other people compliments in front of them

Especially someone you know would make them jealous. Basically, go for their friends with the compliments. Not only will they already be jealous of you not talking to them, but it’ll drive them crazy that you’re complimenting someone so close to them. It’s one of the best ways to learn how to make your ex jealous! [Read: 25 compliments a guy will never forget]

6. Ignore everything they post or send you

Basically, don’t engage with them on any social media platform. Chances are, they may be posting pictures with new people or having fun, too. That’s just what people do when they get out of a relationship.

You can’t let that get to you. Hold firm and just ignore the stuff they post.

Better yet, just unfollow them everywhere. That way, you’re not even tempted.

Remember, they’re probably trying to get you jealous at the same time, so if you ignore them, they’ll be crazy that their plan isn’t working. [Read: Social media & relationships: The good, the bad & the ugly]

7. Post on your social media stories often

This is a great way to stir jealousy and make them see what they’re missing. If you’re out having fun or just going to get ice cream by yourself, snap a picture of it and get it live on your story. This can be Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, whatever.

This is a fantastic way to show them just what they gave up. Remember – only post the good stuff. It’ll make them extra jealous they’re not included in all the good times and they’ll see that you’re doing just fine on your own.

8. Make sure that you’re not jealous yourself

This is a big deal. If you’re acting like a jealous fool, they won’t be jealous themselves. In fact, they’ll just be happier that they’re no longer with you. Remember, you’re trying to learn how to make your ex jealous, not become accidentally jealous yourself in the process.

Even if you do see them out with someone new, keep your cool. If they realize that you can be so tolerant and even kind when something like that happens, it’ll make them jealous they never saw that positive quality before. [Read: Why am I so jealous? How to find the hidden reasons and fix it]

9. Send them the occasional seductive glance

This has to be very subtle. So subtle that they won’t know for sure if that’s even what you’re doing. Make them think about you in an intimate way again.

All it takes to do this is for you to catch their eye for a split second – just long enough for it to register on their face. Then, as you look away, smirk like you have a secret.

It’ll drive them crazy with jealousy. The secret here is to do it in a way that you can deny if you were called up on it, that way, you’ve succeeded! [Read: How to seduce someone: 15 seduction tips to make them yearn for you]

10. Think about their biggest insecurity and prod it a little

Not in a bad way, just in a way that you know will get to them. If they were insecure about their sense of humor, talk about how funny someone else is – and make sure they hear you. This will hit them deep and make them crazy jealous that you think someone else is funnier than them.

It can be anything but don’t be too personal and you’re not trying to hurt them here, you’re just trying to make them green with jealousy. There is a difference!

11. Look incredible

This is pretty self-explanatory, but it must be said. If you want someone to be jealous, you need to give them a reason to be. When you look better than you did when you were together, they’ll definitely take notice.

So pamper yourself. Spend the time to find a great outfit and look your best. Just make sure it doesn’t look like you’re trying too hard.

Keep it casual and make sure that you’re smiling more than ever before. They’ll wonder why you’re so happy now and why you weren’t smiling that way with them. [Read: How to look sexy, feel sexy and be sexy without even trying too hard]

12. Do all the things you talked about doing together, but do them with someone else

If you really want to drive the point home, make sure they know about it and can see it.

Get a dog and name it whatever you two were going to name your dog together *only if you honestly do want a pet!*. Go on a vacation to the places you always talked about visiting as a couple.

Make them regret giving you up and show them that the split isn’t going to stop you living your best life. [Read: How to make a guy jealous: 30 wicked ways to win his attention]

13. Head off on a trip with friends, and document it on social media

We’ve talked about social media, but this one takes it a step further. Head off on a weekend away with your friends and make sure it’s as wild on social media as it can be. It doesn’t have to be in reality, it just needs to look that way!

Make suggestive jokes, have people say things in the background that make your ex think you’ve been having a lot of fun. It’s a great way to learn how to make your ex jealous because they’ll see that you’re moving on just fine.

14. Show that you’re making new friends

When someone makes new friends, that means they’re widening their social circle. That also means they could meet a new love interest through those people.

Showing your ex that you’re making new friends *via social media, of course* will get them jittery and wondering what you’re getting up to. [Read: How to make new friends as an adult: 15 ways to do it right]

15. Casually text and ask if you saw them in a bar

This one is very crafty! Text them and say “hey, was it you that I saw in *name* bar last night?” Of course, you didn’t see them, you’re just playing a game but the point is that you’re telling them you were out in a bar. You’re out having fun, you’re meeting new people who knows what you could have got up to!

16. Show that you’re busy during the evenings

Avoid showing online during the evenings or posting online. Make sure that you only do it in the day or in the morning with catch ups from the night before. Also, don’t reply or look at messages from your ex at night.

The reason? You’re busy during evening hours and they’ll wonder why. It’s a great way to learn how to make your ex jealous! [Read: How to make more friends as an introvert who never leaves home]

17. Hang out with the person they were always jealous of

If your ex was always jealous of a particular person in your life, e.g. someone who is just a friend but they always thought there as more to it, show that you’re hanging out with them more often. That will get their nerves on edge and they’ll wonder whether they were right all along. Hello, green eyed monster!

18. Send an “accidental” text

This one is risky and can appear manipulative, but if you really want to make your ex jealous, it’s probably going to work.

Send a text that is clearly meant for someone else, perhaps confirming a date or a flirty chat. Wait a few minutes and send a “mortified” text to your ex saying that you’re sorry, that wasn’t meant for them. Of course, it was, but they don’t know that. [Read: The accidental text on purpose – When to use it and when you MUST avoid it]

A word of warning – Question your motivation

The above tips will definitely help you to learn how to make your ex jealous, BUT make sure you question why you’re doing this.

Some of the suggestions are a little dodgy and manipulative on the ethics scale. Do you really want to send a text that isn’t supposed to be for them *even though it is*, are you really that bothered? Do you really need to make them so jealous, at the expense of investing so much time and effort into it? [Read: How to recognize the signs of jealousy in someone & guide them out]

Ask yourself whether the reason you split up in the first place can be overcome. If it can’t, why are you trying to get back with them, if indeed you are.

The reason you’re not together hasn’t gone way. If you can overcome the problems in the relationship, then that’s a different thing altogether. But surely, having an actual honest conversation would be better than playing jealousy games?

Remember, jealousy has a habit of backfiring because it’s such a strong emotion. If you simply want to make your ex see what they’re missing and you have no intention of getting back with them, that’s fine. However, again, aren’t there better things you can do with your own time?

 [Read: Are you jealous of your ex and using it as an excuse to make them jealous?]

Knowing how to make your ex jealous can put you in a powerful position. If you want them back, this might just be the best way to do it, as long as it’s done in moderation. But always remember, this isn’t the healthiest way to get revenge, or get back together.