7 Things Exes Said That Still Haunt People Years Later

Breakups are hard. Even when a relationship ends amicably, it can take time to move on. But when an ex says or does something hurtful, it can leave lasting damage. 

Here are 7 things people reported exes saying or doing that still haunt them years later:

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1. Lying and manipulative behavior

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Exes who were pathological liars or masters of deception can undermine trust for years to come. As one Redditor shared, "Lying by omission - strategic deception. Along with being a very skilled actor a la 'it's not a lie if you believe it.'" Trying to navigate a relationship where you can't trust your partner creates deep wounds.

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2. Making someone feel unattractive

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Having an ex criticize your looks or make you feel undesirable sticks with you. One woman recalled her ex asking about her "average" in relation to penis size. Another shared that her ex said "What’s happy about it? The worst day of my life was when I married you, I regret it every day" on their anniversary. Dealing with rejection is hard enough without having someone make you feel inadequate.

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3. Betrayal by friends

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Finding out an ex cheated with your best friend or someone close to you is a double betrayal. As one man put it, "Cheated on me with one of my best friends. So I have severe trust issues." Rebuilding trust after someone you loved and trusted betrayed you so intimately is incredibly challenging.

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4. Making the breakup needlessly painful

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Some exes seem to want to inflict maximum hurt during a breakup. One woman's ex broke up with her right after her best friend's funeral because "she wasn't happy." Another's ex moved all of her stuff out without warning when he was away at a funeral. Exes who twist the knife during an already painful time create deep hurt.

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5. Threatening to turn kids against you

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When relationships end bitterly, some exes threaten to poison relationships with mutual kids. One dad shared that his ex said she'd "make sure she (their daughter) will never want to see you again." Using kids as weapons in a breakup does long-term damage.

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6. Insulting insecurities

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Exes know your vulnerabilities and insecurities, and some use that knowledge as a weapon. One woman's ex called her "a fat chick" he was embarrassed to date. Another's ex told him "everyone thinks I’m a bad friend." Leveraging those intimate insecurities undermines self-worth.

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7. Sudden loss of interest

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One of the most haunting things exes do is suddenly lose all interest. As one Redditor described, "One day, the love of my life just woke up and decided that I was no longer the love of hers." 

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Having the script flip so abruptly leaves you endlessly questioning the relationship. The pain caused by a hurtful ex can resurface for years. But time, self-care and new relationships can help you move forward. Just remember, the right partner won't twist the knife - they'll help you heal.