If you are in a long-distance relationship, you would want to learn about the signs he misses you. For instance, if you have always been the one initiating the conversation, often calling him up multiple times, and you suddenly stop doing so for a few days, it will come to his notice. Now, you may think this will trigger him, and he’ll get back to you. However, if that does not happen, how can you be sure that he misses you? There are always more subtle ways for people to show that they miss you. When you’re apart, it’s normal to wonder if your partner misses you. Understanding signs that he does can help you understand where your relationship stands and what to do next. So to help you get clarity about your relationship and understand the hints, we have listed some signs that your guy is missing you. Read on.
Key Pointers
- A guy may not express directly, but his frequent texts to you may indicate that he misses you.
- He may call you often, facetime you, or immediately reply to your texts and phone calls.
- If he gets jealous when you are with another man or shows other subtle but obvious signs, you should understand that he longs to be with you.
32 Signs He Misses You
Whether you are in a long-distance relationship, he is away for a few weeks due to a project, or you have not seen each other for a while, here are some signs that tell he misses you.
1. He texts you often
If you have been receiving texts from him quite often, it is one of the clear signs he misses you. Regardless of how mundane and random those texts may be, it goes on to show that he is thinking about you, yearning for your presence, and wants to know what’s going on in your life. For example, he may text things like “Having pasta for lunch” or “Got a new project at work.” They may seem unrelated to you, but they indicate he is thinking about you.
A guy can go the distance when he misses you. For instance, blogger Jeremy Schoenherr writes about how much he missed his girlfriend when she moved away for work. He says, “We texted constantly. We’d pester each other to send selfies. Our chat history was soon inundated with love notes and separation gripes.” After some time apart, he found texting greatly difficult. So he decided to develop an app for getting in touch with his girlfriend whenever he wanted and without much hassle. He writes, “I didn’t want any novel functionality. I only wanted to streamline what I did all day. My goals were 1) to quickly and convincingly say, “I’m thinking of you,” and 2) see a recent version of her face as often as possible without bugging her (i).”
2. He always calls you
Do you see multiple missed calls on your screen? And does he find silly reasons to speak to you and listen to your voice? Sometimes, he may just call and not say anything other than hello. These are clear signs that he misses you.
3. He responds to your texts and calls immediately
Try this each time you send him a text or call him. Observe the time he takes to reply to your text or pick up the call. If the response is instant, bingo! Take it as a clear sign that he misses you badly. But do not jump to conclusions that he has forgotten you if he misses them sometimes.
4. He talks about you
If you learn from your mutual friends that he talks about you or brings your name up in their conversations or even jokes, then take it as a sign that he misses you and is hoping to see you soon. They might drop it in a conversation casually but keep your ears open for such references.
5. He is all over your social media
Studies in recent years have shown how digital tools are critical for keeping in touch, maintaining emotional intimacy, and strengthening the bond in long-distance relationships (1) (2). Does he add likes or view your every social media post and comment on them? Take these as clear signs that you are on his mind, and he misses you. If he goes to the extent of tagging you in memes and posts, you can assure yourself that he misses you badly.
6. He gets jealous
If he shows those subtle signs of jealousy when you are around with another man at a party or social event, it is a clear indication of loneliness and that he misses you. During such times, he may call or text you often, just to get your attention.
7. His friends give you hints
If you have broken up, and his friends tell you that he has been talking about the good times he had with you and mending his ways, take it as a sign that he isn’t over you yet and might want you back in his life. Even in a long-distance relationship, he may not tell you outright that he misses you, but his friends may say that he mentions you a lot.
8. He texts or calls you when drunk
If he texts or calls you when drunk, it could mean that he is using alcohol as a means to express his feelings. You could interpret it this way-it gives him the courage to say things he wouldn’t usually say when he is sober. He may also feel vulnerable after drinking and reach out to you.
9. He tells you directly
Well, we all know that this is one of the toughest things to do for a guy. But, when a guy says he misses you, it is the clearest indication that he has been missing you dearly. His disheartened demeanor reveals his longing for your companionship.
10. He asks you for your picture
If he keeps asking you for your picture when either of you is away for a while, it means he is craving your presence and wants to feel close to you when you both are away.
11. He keeps the conversation going
If he does everything to keep the conversation going when he calls or texts you, it could mean he wants to be near you. He might say goodnight while texting at night yet could send another message that prolongs your conversation.
12. He reaches out to you with no apparent reason
He might just reach out to you to say “hi” or “how are you?” without a specific agenda in mind. If he does this, you could take it as a sign that he holds you dear in his heart. Sometimes, his hello will be followed by texts like “Thinking about you” or “Wish you were here.” This is a surefire way to understand that he is missing you.
13. He listens to your favorite songs
He could be playing all the songs on your playlist without realizing it. You could get to know of it once you check his playlist, or your favorite song could be playing in the background while he is talking to you over the phone. He could also be syncing your online playlist with his own. This is one of the subtle signs that he misses you.
14. He gives you surprises
Some men believe in expressing their feelings through action. If he sends you a gift or surprises you with an act of love or kindness, it might be his way of showing that you are special and he misses you. He might send you a bouquet, chocolates, or even your favorite foods.
15. He shows up to the same events
Do you bump into him at unexpected places or events, especially those places where he wouldn’t usually frequent? He wants to reconnect and be close to you. Perhaps he is getting the hints from your social media posts or your friends. If you are in a long-distance relationship, he might make plans to get to the same events with you even if he is not particularly interested in it.
16. He brings up the good old days
Does he bring up the good old days you were together in his conversations? And does he check your old pictures on Facebook or hold on to the souvenirs? Then he is wistful, reminiscing about the times you shared. He is missing you and desires to be with you.
17. He is curious
Is he curious about the things happening in your life? Does he ask you about your day, your job, pets, childhood, school friends, and everything that has to do with you? He might be missing you dearly.
18. He tells you about his day
Despite his busy schedule, he takes out time to tell you about his day, the things he did, the people he met, etc. They might seem trivial to you, but he wants to share them with you. It is a sign that you are important in his life, and he misses you.
19. He makes plans to see you
If he goes the extra mile and makes plans to see you or tells you about his plans for the next time you meet, he is dying to see you. Even if he lives in another city, he might fly over just to meet you. He regrets not being able to spend more time with you.
20. He fights with you
If he ends up arguing with you for the silliest of things or gets frustrated over not being able to meet you, it could be a sign that he misses you. He experiences pangs of longing whenever he thinks of you.
21. He wears something that you gifted him
Does he still don the t-shirt or the piece of jewelry you gifted him? It is a strong sign that you are still in his mind, and he is craving your presence. He might wear it just to feel close to you.
22. He is always happy to see you
Does he get all excited when he sees you? It could be during a chance encounter or a time you have planned. If he gets excited or can’t stop smiling, it is a clear sign that he has been missing you. He might show his happiness in different ways, like splurging on gifts or taking you out for a special dinner. His heart is sorrowful without you, and he wishes for your return
23. There are no signs of a new relationship
It has been a while since you guys broke up, and yet there seem to be no signs of him getting into a new relationship. Well, the reason could be that he’s still missing you. Even if someone new approaches him, he might reject them because he is still interested in you.
24. He FaceTimes you
Well, this is a clear sign that he isn’t content with just the calls and texts but wants to see you, is longing for your presence, and aches to be with you, albeit virtually. He might FaceTime you even in the middle of a workday, just to look at you and talk to you.
25. He keeps sending you pictures
If he keeps sending you pictures of him and his friends having a good time when he is not around you, it is a sign that he wishes you were there sharing that time with him. He might tag you in his photos on social media so you look at them regularly.
26. He keeps in touch with you even when not expected
Let’s say he is on an important business trip or vacationing with his friends or parents. If he still makes time to reach out to you and let you know how things are, then do not have to worry over whether he is missing you or not.
27. He does your favorite things
Ask his friends, and if they tell you that he watches your favorite movies, listens to your favorite songs, and cooks your favorite food, he has been missing you. He’d make it a point to do your favorite things to keep you happy.
28. He keeps in touch with your family and friends
If you haven’t been together for a while, and yet, he still keeps in touch with your sibling or your close friends, it is a sign that he misses you and hasn’t gotten over you yet. Your mom or sibling might suddenly mention him during your conversations.
29. Your plans matter to him
Does he ask you about your friends or your plans for the future? Does he change his plans according to your timelines? It is a sure sign you are still close to him. At times, he might want to stay close to you. For instance, if you have planned to go to a restaurant for dinner, while he has planned to stay at home, he will change his plans to meet you at the restaurant.
30. He gets touchy
Look out for this sign, ladies. If he really misses you, he’ll tend to get intimate when you meet. It could involve putting his hand on your shoulders, hugging you, or holding your hands when talking to you. He thirsts for your love and the connection you share.
31. He is lavish with compliments
If a man showers you with compliments, it is a sign that he misses you. He may regularly send you compliments to express his affection and desire to reconnect. He may also want you to know how much he admires you and craves your presence. He may also hope to rekindle the emotional closeness that may have subsided due to distance or time apart. Even a simple “You look nice in this dress” or “Your hairstyle suits you” could be a sign of affection.
32. Everyone around him knows he is depressed
When everyone around a man notices he is going through a low point, it can be a sign he misses you badly. He might stop hanging out with his friends, stop laughing much, or become quieter. This sudden change, triggered by your absence, suggests he’s feeling a void in life. His visible sadness indicates the profound impact your absence has had on his emotional well-being.
What To Do When He Misses You?
It can be touching to realize that he misses you so much. In some cases, it could also become overwhelming. When he shows the signs of missing you, here are some things you can do.
- Acknowledge his feelings: When he says that he misses you or shows explicit signs of missing you, you can start by acknowledging his emotions. A simple sentence like “That means a lot to me” can validate his feelings and show him that you care. You can also come up with solutions. For instance, if it has been long since you met, you can make plans to meet more often.
- Share your feelings honestly: If you feel the same way about him, express it openly. You can either tell him that you miss him too or show him how valued he is through different ways. If you do not feel the same way about him, respond with kindness and honesty. For example, if you miss him, you can say, “I miss you too. Let’s catch up as soon as possible.” If you do not have such feelings, you can say, “I have been busy, but I value our connection.”
- Make plans: Even if he is the one missing you, you can make plans to meet up. This will not only surprise him but also show him that you care. Decide on a place or event where you would want to meet. For instance, if there is a concert at the place he is staying, you can book tickets and travel there to attend the concert with him.
- Set boundaries: At times, his expression of loneliness might get overwhelming for you. In such cases, you should set boundaries. For example, you can say, “I need some space right now for focusing on personal things. I miss you too and will make plans to get together soon.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I tell if a man is attracted to me but hiding it?
Some signs that a man is attracted to you include going above and beyond to help you, giving you his undivided attention, listening to you intently, getting a little flirty, and enjoying even the slightest physical contact. He also steals glances, checks out your older social media posts, and forgets the rest of the world when you are around.
2. What makes a man miss his girlfriend?
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. If you’re wondering how to make him miss you, you can start by creating some distance and allowing him to approach you first. A man misses his girlfriend when she doesn’t initiate contact or reply to read messages, enjoys her own company, and acts in mysterious ways.
3. How long does it take until he realizes he misses me?
Men usually start missing a woman when they realize they cannot find anyone matching their personality. The time that it takes to realize this can vary from person to person. He may start missing you in two weeks or after two months of your breakup. It can even take four months or more for some to feel lonely and start craving their partner’s presence.
4. Why do guys act distant when they miss us?
There are clear reasons for guys to become distant when they miss you. They might hesitate to express their feelings because they feel that will push them further apart. A fear of rejection and the thought of you seeing someone else is also on their mind. Some men are shy. So they feel nervous when approaching women. As a result, they maintain distance. A related reason is uncertainty about your feelings for him. This uncertainty makes him act distant.
5. Do guys try to make us jealous when they miss us?
Men can try to make you feel jealous when they miss you. It can be because they are feeling insecure. Seeing their ex-partners feel jealous can also be a hugely satisfying experience for them. It may validate their thoughts of you still being in love with them. A clear aim underlying a man’s attempt to make you feel jealous is getting your attention. Winning back the lost affection drives a man to make a woman jealous.
6. What should I do if I notice signs that he misses me?
If you notice several signs that he misses you, consider reaching out to him. Talking openly can clear up any confusion and help you both understand where your relationship stands.
Texting you frequently, talking about you when with friends or others, getting jealous, drunk texting or calling you, and trying everything he can to keep the conversation going are signs he misses you. Reading these signs can help you better manage your relationship and figure out what to do next. If you haven’t seen him in a long time and notice these signals in him, know that he is missing you and want to be with you. And if you’re together but are away for work or family reasons, you can bet he’s itching to see you again.
Infographic: More Signs That Suggest He Misses You Badly
Despite how much he loves you, there’s a chance that your man won’t express his feelings openly or that he’ll act overly tough in your presence. This might also make you feel sad and even angry sometimes; however, knowing these subtle yet clear signs will surely help you know that he’s missing you when you’re not around. Check out the infographic below to learn about some additional indicators that he misses you.
Illustration: Clear Signs He Misses You Badly
If he has always been the first to respond to your message, it can be hard when he no longer responds to you. Learn the signs to know if he is hiding his feelings for you.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. I was forced into a long distance relationship and it was terrible so I made an app to make it less terrible.https://medium.com/@jeremysomething/i-was-forced-into-a-long-distance-relationship-it-was-terrible-so-i-made-an-app-to-make-it-less-so-e030466fad1
References:
- Noel Ebby Murikkattu et al.; (2024); The experiences of individuals in maintaining a long-distance relationship through social media
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383645311_The_experiences_of_individuals_in_maintaining_a_long-distance_relationship_through_social_media - Morgan R. Kuske; (2020); Social Media Use in the Maintenance of Long-Distance Romantic Relationships in College.
https://www.uwlax.edu/globalassets/offices-services/urc/jur-online/pdf/2020/kuske.morgan.cst2020.pdf
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