Is Your Ex Manifesting You? 15 Expert-Backed Signs

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Your spiritual guide to deciphering your ex’s manifestation

Co-authored by Connell Barrett and Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD

Last Updated: September 29, 2025 Fact Checked

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You thought you said goodbye to your ex for good, but now you just can’t stop thinking about them. What’s going on here? Could they be manifesting you back into their life? In this article, we’ll show you how to tell whether your ex is manifesting you with a list of possible signs from the universe that your ex wants you back. Plus, we'll help you decide what to do about them so you can evaluate your past relationship with confidence, with helpful advice from professional astrologers, spiritual coaches, and dream interpreters. These signs are spiritual in nature, so be sure to always defer to your best judgment.

How to Tell if Your Ex Is Manifesting You

Dream interpreter Jesse Lyon, MS, CCHt, QS, LMHC, advises that seeing your ex in your dreams is a sign that they may be manifesting you and that there may be unresolved baggage from your relationship. Other signs your ex is manifesting you include:

You if you can’t stop thinking about or dreaming of them.
Your ex keeps popping up in random places or keeps coming up in conversation.
You suddenly want to contact your ex.
You feel their presence next to you, even though they’re nowhere near.
You start seeing angel numbers all over.

1

You can’t stop thinking about them.

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You won’t be able to get your ex off your mind if they’re manifesting you. You haven’t thought about them for ages, then poof—they’re all you can think about. What’s up with that? Constantly thinking of your ex may signify that they’re manifesting themselves into your thoughts and are trying to get your attention. Astrologer and spiritual coach Aliza Kelly defines manifestation as “an infinite loop between the physical realm, which is things that exist, and the astral realm, which is the space of dreams, hopes, intentions, ideas, and possibilities.” She explains that “anything that exists, [including] a relationship, was first an idea before it came into the physical realm.”^{[1]
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Expert Source

Aliza Kelly
Astrologer and Spiritual Coach

Expert Interview} If your ex is indeed manifesting you, they’re trying to bring you back into their physical realm!^{[2]
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- What to do: Ask yourself how thinking about your ex makes you feel. If memories of your ex bring you joy and longing, reconsider why you broke up to see if getting back together might be a good idea.
- If thinking about your ex makes you angry and upset, distract yourself by reading a book, seeing a movie, or spending time with friends. Remember, you deserve a relationship that enhances your life. Consider your ex a stepping stone to better things.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Aliza Kelly is an astrologer and author who has been a full-time, professional astrologer since 2017.

Jesse Lyon, MS, CCHt, QS, LMHC, is a licensed counselor, dream interpreter, and clinical hypnotherapist with over a decade of experience.

Angel Eyedealism is an astrologer with nearly three decades of astrology and astrocartography experience.

2

They keep popping up in your dreams.

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Frequently dreaming of your ex suggests they’re trying to get you back. If you usually dream up wacky scenarios like being on a pirate ship or flying through the air, but now your ex is making an appearance, you might be caught off guard. Some believe people can communicate through the astral realm as we sleep, so if you keep dreaming of your ex, they might be trying to get in contact with you.^{[3]
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Research source} According to dream interpreter and clinical hypnotherapist Jesse Lyon, MS, CCHt, QS, LMHC, dreaming about anyone signals that there is an “unresolved problem,” and when that person is an ex, the problem is “baggage.”^{[4]
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Expert Source

Jesse Lyon MS, CCHt, QS, LMHC
Dream Interpreter and Clinical Hypnotherapist

Expert Interview}
- Lyon says the dream could be your subconscious saying, “Thank God that our mind remembers our exes so we can be sure not to repeat the same mistakes.”^{[5]
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  Jesse Lyon MS, CCHt, QS, LMHC
  Dream Interpreter and Clinical Hypnotherapist
  
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- On the other hand, Lyon adds that “it can also be about reclaiming a lost sense of self” that a previous partner may have “taken” from us.^{[6]
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  Jesse Lyon MS, CCHt, QS, LMHC
  Dream Interpreter and Clinical Hypnotherapist
  
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- What to do: If dreaming about your ex was more “meh” than heart-wrenching, you might be over your past relationship with them. Go you!
- If dreaming of your ex made you miss them, remind yourself why you broke up and ask yourself if they’re really worth contacting.

3

You run into them unexpectedly.

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They may be manifesting you if you bump into them in random places. You’ve never seen your ex even step foot in a bookstore when you were together, but suddenly they’re next to you in line at your favorite one? Interesting… Your ex could be trying to manifest running into you and is showing up in places they think you might be—crafty!^{[7]
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- If your ex knows you used to love going to a certain coffee shop, exercise class, store, you name it, they might show up there from time to time in hopes of running into you and reconnecting.
- What to do: If you’re not missing your ex, acknowledge them politely and then find an excuse to move on with your day. However, if you feel it’s best to reconnect, feel free to enjoy a short conversation with them and feel out what their intentions are.

4

You’re seeing angel numbers.

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Seeing angel numbers may indicate your ex’s desire to be with you. For example, if your ex was born on 10/12 and you keep seeing 10:12 on the clock or your total rang up to $10.12 at the grocery store, your ex could be trying to get your attention through the power of the universe. Try looking up whatever number you keep seeing to determine what relationship advice your angels may want you to hear.^{[8]
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- What to do: Angel numbers like 777 or 222 can suggest that love is near. Consider whether you still love your ex and want to be with them. If yes, these angel numbers might support your reunion.^{[9]
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- If you don’t want to get back with your ex, seeing numbers like 777 or 222 can also suggest that a new romantic relationship might be on the horizon—how exciting!

5

You feel their presence when they’re not around.

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Out of nowhere, you feel like your ex is near. Maybe you were watching a movie, making the bed, or even doing the dishes, and suddenly felt like your ex was right beside you. If you’ve been getting the strange sensation that your ex is watching over you even when they’re nowhere near, they could be trying to manifest you back into their lives by subconsciously reminding you of their presence.^{[10]
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- Hearing a song on the radio or coming across something they left at your house may make you feel as though they’re with you as you reminisce over all the associated memories.
- What to do: Distract yourself with another activity or get out of the house if you want to ignore their spiritual approach. Consider whether you miss the feeling of having them there—if so, it may be a sign to reconnect.

6

You start thinking of them as your soulmate.

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Your ex may be manifesting you if your opinion of them improves. You used to think they were the worst, but suddenly, your perception of them has changed—could they have been “the one?” If your feelings about your ex have shifted for the better, they could be trying to manifest you to love them again! This may not be the best case scenario, though. “Manifesting relationships is a place where we tread lightly, because we don't want to manipulate others,” Kelly begins. “We really are only ever responsible for ourselves, not for others.” She explains that “manifesting a relationship is best achieved through connecting to energy and the type of energy that you would like to have an experience in your life.”^{[11]
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Aliza Kelly
Astrologer and Spiritual Coach

Expert Interview}
- Sometimes, couples have to go through periods apart to learn they were right for each other.^{[12]
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- What to do: If you and your ex have grown as people since your breakup and would be better able to handle a relationship together after all the lessons you’ve learned, rekindling your flame could be a positive thing.

7

Your judgment feels clouded.

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You’re having a hard time pinning down how you feel about them. It’s normal for your emotions to be all over the place after a breakup, but if your ex is manifesting you, they might be even more wishy-washy than usual. For example, if you thought you’d come to terms with the relationship being over but suddenly find yourself missing your ex, you might be fighting off their desire to manifest you back into their life.
- What to do: Like a storm, powerful reminders of the past can swirl around you and make you feel overwhelmed, but do your best to be patient with yourself and allow your feelings to settle before making any snap judgments, like contacting your ex.

8

You feel the urge to call or text them.

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They might be manifesting you if you suddenly want to reach them. Out of the blue, you feel compelled to talk to your ex again, and it doesn’t even matter what about! Wanting to speak with your ex, whether it’s over the phone or on social media, is thought to be a surefire sign that your ex wants you to reach out and is manifesting you contacting them.^{[13]
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- What to do: Consider what inviting them back into your life through conversation could mean. Are you really ready to speak with them, or are you just feeling lonely?
- Remember, it doesn’t have to be a romantic thing—you can just be friends. Breaking up doesn’t mean you can't hold on to some form of a relationship with them.

9

Their name keeps coming up in conversation.

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Family, friends, or even strangers keep bringing up your ex. Hearing your ex or even just their name get brought up in conversation is thought to be a tell-tale sign that they’re using the law of attraction to manifest you. The more you hear their name, the more likely you are to think of them and potentially reach out!^{[14]
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- For example, you might hear their name called out at a coffee shop, rent a library book with their name in it, or hear two strangers discussing someone with the same name as your ex.
- What to do: If hearing your ex get brought up by friends and family makes you uncomfortable, politely ask them to change the subject. They’re sure to understand where you’re coming from.

10

Your intuition is leading you toward them.

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You may have a gut feeling your ex is trying to get you back. Your intuition is a powerful tool that can often reveal profound truths you aren’t consciously aware of, so listen to it. If you have an intense feeling that your ex is pulling you towards them, they could be manifesting the resurgence of your relationship together. Astrologer Angel Eyedealism warns against giving in to these feelings, especially if it’s during a Mercury retrograde, a time notoriously known for bringing exes back into the picture. “[This is] when exes resurface. That is the most common time,” she begins. “Somebody can reach out during a retrograde, and it can feel relevant at that time, but when the retrograde is over, the interest in the ex is also [usually] over.”^{[15]
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Angel Eyedealism
Astrologer & Performance Artist

Expert Interview}
- What to do: Your intuition is usually correct, so if you feel like reaching out to your ex, why not go for it?^{[16]
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- If your ex didn’t treat you with respect or made you feel unworthy, be logical and go with your head, not your heart—you deserve the best!

11

You suddenly feel a sense of déjà vu.

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A wave of nostalgia may signify your ex is manifesting you. Perhaps you suddenly feel as though you're in love with them again or remember exactly what a particular moment you spent with them felt like. If so, your ex may have harnessed the power of the universe to pull you back to them through feelings of déjà vu.
- What to do: French for “already seen” déjà vu can make you uneasy or nervous. Try taking deep breaths in and out to help get rid of this sensation.

12

You feel compelled to go to specific places.

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You might feel drawn to go somewhere you wouldn’t normally visit. If your ex is manifesting you, their energy might be strong enough to pull you to places they’re likely to be. For example, if you felt the random urge to go out to a specific restaurant you wouldn’t normally go to and end up running into your ex, they may have been trying to manifest you running into each other!^{[17]
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- Someone channeling positive energy is thought to be able to attract the things they want to themselves quickly.
- What to do: If you suspect your ex is manifesting you, they may finally be on a positive spiritual journey to become the best version of themselves. It’s OK to investigate whether they’ve changed, but remember why you broke up in the first place and try not to fall back into old patterns.

13

Coincidences keep occurring that remind you of them.

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Synchronicity is thought to be a clear sign someone is manifesting you. Perhaps you saw someone reading your ex’s favorite book at a coffee shop, you heard your favorite song as a couple on the radio, or someone followed you on social media with the same name as your ex. Whatever the case may be, these coincidental synchronicities could be occurring because your ex is manifesting their way back into your life in hopes of getting your attention.
- If you’ve always experienced a lot of synchronicity with your ex, even when you were together, you may have found your twin flame!
- What to do: If you don’t want to reconnect, ignore these signs and remind yourself that it’s normal to be reminded of old relationships—they were your partner, after all! But if you do in fact miss them, it could be a signal to reach out.

14

Reminders of your ex are making you uncomfortable.

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Signs of your ex manifesting you may make you uneasy. If you don’t want anything to do with your ex, any sign that they might be manifesting you, like thinking of them or bumping into them, will be especially unnerving. Remember, you’re in control and never have to speak to them again if you don’t want to—you’ve got this!
- What to do: If your ex is still in contact with you, you have the right to block them. Not seeing their texts or social media posts may help bring you peace of mind.

15

They make an effort to stay in touch.

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Even though you’ve split, they text, call, or contact you on social media. The most obvious of all the signs, your ex may be manifesting you back into their life if they still contact you even though you’re no longer together. Whether they want you as a friend or as something more, it’s important to make sure they’re worth your time before engaging with them again.^{[18]
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- What to do: Set boundaries with your ex if you decide to speak with them, like not telling them personal information or not letting them get flirty.
- Reader Poll: We asked 2575 wikiHow readers which sign would make them feel most hopeful about potentially reuniting with their ex, and 50% of them said reaching out and initiating contact after a period of no communication. [Take Poll]