How to Make Someone Love You Again

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It is possible to rekindle feelings of love with someone who has been distant. Even though you can’t force anyone’s feelings for you, you can take steps to improve yourself and the relationship. Focus on who you are and being your best self. Spend time together and be thoughtful and kind. Be honest and ready to listen. Through all of this, be patient. Don’t expect that because you want things to work that everything will magically fall into place, as the other person may want or need time.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Initiating Contact

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  1. It’s important that you’re self-aware in going into this. Do you want them to love you because you feel lonely, you miss them, you want to reconnect, or you want someone in your life? Do you regret your actions and want to deal with the guilt? Are you feeling disconnected and wanting more closeness? [1]
    • Imagine your ideal circumstance. If you know what you want from them, you might have a good reason to seek their love.
    • You may find out that you don't have a great reason. Maybe you miss how good it felt to be loved, but don't really want to get back together. In this case, leave them alone.
    • Be clear why you want this person’s love and help that motivate you to win their affection.
  2. If you haven’t spoken in a bit, you may wish to reach out. While it’s okay to establish a connection through a text or message, make sure you speak in person. This way, nothing can get lost in translation and you can be in each other’s presence. If they are hesitant to see you, then wait some time and try again. If they agree to meet you, this is a promising first step.
    • See what it’s like to be with them and what emotions it brings up for both of you. Does it seem likely that you can win back their love?
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  3. If you want to make someone love you again, make sure they are at least open to returning to a loving relationship with you. If they are distant or angry with you, don’t get your hopes up. You may need to give some space. If they have told you that being loving toward you won’t happen again, don’t try to convince them. Respect their decision and let them know that you are open to being in a loving relationship with them. [2]
    • If they are clear that they do not want to love you, say, “I respect your decision, even if I feel differently. Please know that this is what I want and I’m leaving the door open if you want to reconsider.”
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Winning Their Affection

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  1. Put your best foot forward and showcase all of your best qualities. Remind them of all the things they used to love about you. Think about your best attributes and let them shine! The person may have told you what they loved about you in the past, like your smile, your wit, or your compassion. Make extra effort to bring these traits forward. Being your best self will show them how irresistible you are. [3]
    • For example, if you tend to be a funny person and they enjoyed your humor, reach out with a joke or silly story.
    • If you don’t know your best attributes, write out the characteristics you think you embody. For example, you might write kind, thoughtful, sincere, forgiving, funny, caring, generous, intelligent, and open-minded.
  2. Eye contact is important for creating a connection with somebody else. Most importantly, you must learn how to make proper eye contact. There is no “right way” to make eye contact overall. Instead, tune in to the person’s eye contact. Do they make frequent eye contact, meet your eyes then look away, or maintain a steady gaze? Mimic their style so that they feel connected to you.
    • For example, if the person likes to make constant eye contact, they may think your fleeting eye contact is dismissive, while someone who prefers less eye contact might find your steady gaze intimidating.
  3. It’s hard to get someone’s love if you’re only texting or emailing. Spend time together away from talking about what went wrong or is going wrong. Do activities you know you enjoy. Remember their favorite restaurants and movies and find activities that allow you to spend time doing fun things together. [4]
    • You don’t need to travel to a tropical island to reconnect. Just do something that helps you spend time and feel close, like taking a walk or a hike.
    • Show your thoughtfulness by recreating activities that you’ve done together in the past that have been memorable and enjoyable. For example, go back to a special restaurant or rent the first movie you watched together.
  4. Make a point to have fun in each other’s presence. Plan fun activities to do together. Reach out to the person and invite them on a fun activity, like going ice skating or seeing an improv show. Do activities that bring out a fun and loving side to both of you. Talk about things that make the other person laugh or smile.
    • Be intentionally silly or playful.
    • Remind them of how much fun you have together.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Improving Communication

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  1. Honesty is the basis of trust and often, love. Being honest will show the person that you’re serious, which they may respect and like about you. However, honestly isn’t just telling the truth. Say things in a way that the person will understand them and benefit from them. Sometimes, brutal honesty can do more harm than good, so try some tender honesty. If the person asks you an uncomfortable question, answer it honestly, even if you know they won’t like the answer. However, you may also want to talk about what has changed. [5]
    • If you’ve made mistakes, admit them. Say how you’ve grown since making the mistake and how you will avoid future similar mistakes.
    • Don’t be afraid to ask hard questions, either.
  2. Even if the person has harmed or hurt you, be unconditional in your love toward them. Show them that though times may be difficult and the relationship may waver, you will be a constant source of love and support. If the person is hesitant in expressing their love, don’t be hesitant in giving your love. Even if the person upsets you or lets you down, be unwavering in your love toward them. [6]
    • However, if they ask you to leave them alone or to give them more space, respect their request. Do not stalk them or give them more attention than they’d like. You don’t want to turn them off or have them upset with you for going overboard on your attention and affection.
    EXPERT TIP

    John Keegan

    Dating Coach
    John Keegan is a Dating Coach and motivational speaker based in New York City. With over 10 years of professional experience, he runs The Awakened Lifestyle, where he uses his expertise in dating, attraction, and social dynamics to help people find love. He teaches and holds dating workshops internationally, from Los Angeles to London and from Rio de Janeiro to Prague. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Humans of New York, and Men's Health.
    John Keegan
    Dating Coach

    Keep the romance alive by showing you care with consistent effort. Plan fun outings together, carve out quality time for each other, and include them in outings with family and friends.

  3. Remember that above all, you must learn to love yourself before you love another. Think about what aspects of yourself you suppress or feel ashamed to show to the world. Feel free to show your true self to yourself, friends, family, and to the person you want love from. Allow them to see you in your entirety. [7]
    • If you feel scared being vulnerable or feel like you are unlovable, work with a therapist. They can help you uncover your insecurities, work through your wounds, and build your self-esteem.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Dealing with the Past

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  1. The person may be impressed to hear you admit anything you’ve done that has hurt or harmed them. Especially if they see you as stubborn, this can help them see a new side of you that they may not have considered, which can open the doors to love. Show that you are a bigger person than you were before.
    • Say, “I know I made some mistakes, and I regret them. I was different then and have learned to be a better person.”
  2. Rebuild broken trust . A big part of repairing trust is forgiveness. Forgive yourself and forgive them. Forgive yourself for the mistakes you made and the hardships you contributed to in your relationship. Forgive the other person for their mistakes, judgments, or problems. Then, begin to trust yourself. If you cheated, know that you won’t do it again. Also, trust them. If they cheated, trust them to not do it again. [8]
    • If you hurt the other person, don’t expect to earn their trust right away. Show them that you can be trusted by being honest.
  3. It’s time to get humble. If the relationship is on bad terms due to a mistake you made or bad habits you continued that your partner couldn’t handle, take responsibility and consider their view. Think back on the gripes they expressed and work on them on your own accord, without their prompting. Say that you are now listening to their feedback and willing to improve. Tell the person that you’re inspired to be better because of them. [9]
    • For example, if the person became distant or broke up with you due to your addiction, make this part of your motivation to get sober.
    • Reader Poll: We asked 194 wikiHow readers what change they’re most interested in making before trying to date their ex again, and 61% agreed that they want to focus on maturing as a person . [Take Poll]
  4. It’s not enough to have good intentions, you have to follow through on them. Be solutions-focused in making changes happen by choosing to improve who you are as a person and as a partner. If you were a bad partner, make efforts to be more supportive, listen, and compromise. Take the initiative to create solutions, anticipate difficulties, and work through existing troubles. [10]
    • Don’t just say that you’ll get treatment for an addiction. Find a therapist, go to a treatment center, or enroll in rehabilitation as soon as you can.
    • Solve specific problems. For example, if you tend to lose your temper, enroll in anger management and practice your new skills so that you can interact differently.
    • Once you’ve taken action, talk to them. Say, “I’m making changes to make this work. I want this, so I’m willing to do what it takes.”
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Is it normal to not want to be alone?
    Moshe Ratson, MFT, PCC
    Marriage & Family Therapist
    Moshe Ratson is the Executive Director of spiral2grow Marriage & Family Therapy, a coaching and therapy clinic in New York City. Moshe is an International Coach Federation accredited Professional Certified Coach (PCC). He received his MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Iona College. Moshe is a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF).
    Moshe Ratson, MFT, PCC
    Marriage & Family Therapist
    Expert Answer
    After a breakup, it's normal to feel like you're separated from the rest of the world. However, you should never get back together with your ex or start a new relationship just because you're lonely. Any relationship, new or old, should be based on healthy foundations such as respect, love, safety, communication, values, and maturity. Don't make a decision out of loneliness.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/romantically-attached/201608/4-questions-you-need-ask-getting-back-together
      2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/romantically-attached/201608/4-questions-you-need-ask-getting-back-together
      3. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/emotional-fitness/201206/being-your-best-self-even-when-times-are-tough
      4. ↑ http://www.divorcebusting.com/a_time_together.htm
      5. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/emotional-fitness/201411/honesty-can-make-or-break-relationship
      6. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201304/four-steps-relationship-repair-the-h-e-l-technique
      7. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/finding-love/201105/how-to-love-yourself-first
      8. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/living-forward/201609/how-rebuild-trust-someone-who-hurt-you
      9. ↑ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/loving-someone-who-hurt-you/
      1. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201304/four-steps-relationship-repair-the-h-e-l-technique

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to make someone love you again, make an effort to spend quality time with them doing things you both enjoy so you can rekindle your romance. Although you might be worried about your relationship, try to have fun and joke around to keep things lighthearted. You should also be honest with your partner about your feelings, which will help them see you for who you really are. While you’re trying to rebuild your relationship, it’s important to also focus on being the best version of yourself you can be. Make an effort to be nice, positive, and thoughtful. Keep in mind that sometimes people fall out of love and you can’t always bring it back, but that way, even if things don’t work out, you’ll still be happy with who you are. For more tips from our Relationships co-author, including how to rebuild broken trust, read on!

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