Why Do Guys Go Cold After a Breakup: 15 Possible Reasons

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Men are believed to be rough and tough, and emotional events may not affect them as they affect women. But then a question arises: why do guys go cold after a breakup? Well, the reality is different than you assume.

Men can also suffer adversely after emotional events. Like women, men also experience different emotions and have their own emotional consciousness. Breakups surely hurt the emotional well-being of men.

But men might take a different approach to dealing with breakups. They can experience more emotional pain after a breakup and need time to move on from heartbreak.

Since guys might hesitate to display their emotions, they become avoidant. Losing a relationship can be a common cause of men going cold suddenly.

Some men turn cold toward their ex-partners even though they maintain cordial relationships with their competitors. It is not common in modern days. 

Some men may also become irritated, depressed, or mentally anxious to curb their pain. So, in all this, let’s try to find an answer to the question, “Why do guys go cold after a breakup?”

Can a person become cold after heartbreak?

Heartbreak can be disastrous for anyone. Regardless of gender, any person can be prone to become cold-hearted after a breakup.

But why do guys get cold after a breakup? You can call this a defense mechanism of human psychology. Losing a relationship is like giving a piece of your emotion away.

Men often forge deep bonds with their partners. The habit of sharing every moment with someone special can make a human happy.

But, the loss causes the person to go through trauma and mental anguish. This can be too much for some people. Such pain can cause different health issues, including anxiety, loss of appetite, hypertension, and even strain on the heart and brain.

A man’s subconscious mind may block certain emotional triggers while battling his repulsive emotions, mental anguish, and pain after the heartbreak. This causes a person to be withdrawn and emotionless for a certain time. Men go through such phases to ensure they can move on and start life anew. 

For some men, the bitter breakup experience may be why guys get cold after a breakup. 

The experience can also compel a man to suppress his emotions to protect himself from such issues in the future. So, if you were thinking, “My ex shows no emotion after a breakup,” now you know the reasons.

15 reasons why guys go cold after a breakup

Breakups are tough, and the aftermath can leave both parties feeling lost and hurt. Men, in particular, might exhibit a sudden coldness after a relationship ends. This emotional distance can be confusing and painful for their ex-partners. 

Understanding the reasons behind this behavior can provide some clarity and help in the healing process. Here are 15 reasons that answer your question, “Why do guys go cold after a breakup?”:

1. He is in the process of moving on

You have seen your ex get cold whenever you bump into each other after the breakup. The truth is he is moving on.

He was closely tied with you as a man, and the breakup left him shattered. But, after so much trauma, he is finally letting it go and it’s one of the reasons “why do guys avoid their ex?”

The whole emotionless phase is a process of moving on from the past relationship. Your ex is busy figuring out new things in his life. You are no longer a part of his present life. Hence, he does not show any emotion for you and just passes by.

2. He is self-reflecting

So, what do guys do after a breakup? Men, after a breakup, often go through a long thought process.

He is left alone after the end of an intimate relationship. He probably does not understand what caused the breakup. He is in a deep thought process and is presently reflecting on his behavior.

He may even consider how his partner is moving on with the breakup. Some men also start to self-reflect after a painful breakup. He is asking himself questions to get honest answers about his life. The process of self-reflection often causes a man to become emotionally withdrawn.

3. He holds grudges against you

Men may start becoming cold-hearted after a breakup. When a man is angry after a breakup, it could cause them to develop bitter feelings for their ex-partner. The pain and anguish of being left alone become unbearable for them.

At this time, they start to have negative feelings about the relationship. Some men may also hold their partners responsible. It might happen when the woman leaves a relationship for better career opportunities or other personal differences.

There is a high chance that his partner is a villain in his eyes, and he has become cold-hearted because he has been left alone.

4. He doesn’t love you anymore

So, your ex does not show any emotions for you. He has probably already moved on. Some men can move on faster than women despite being emotionally intense.

The man who was once madly in love with you finally has moved on. He now understands that you will not come back to his life and does not hold any feelings for you. He has let you go and will never show the same emotion as before.

5. He does not want to delay his vulnerability

Some men are reclusive and do not prefer to show their weaker side to the public. If a man has become emotionally unavailable after a breakup, he probably wants to remain that way.

Such men suffer silently and do not disclose their deep anguish and pain to others, even their closest friends. They prefer to portray that they are fine and can handle any situation gracefully.

6. For him, staying friends after a breakup is not a thing

While some people prefer to maintain an amicable relationship with their ex-partner, many don’t.

Such men feel that maintaining a friendship after a breakup is impossible. This thought puts an emotional strain on his well-being. He had feelings for you, and maintaining a friendship may be too much for him.

On top of that, these men do not want their exes in their lives to further complicate any situation. Hence, if your ex-boyfriend is avoidant after breaking up, he is not into a casual friendship.

7. He is focusing on a better life

People often focus on making their lives better after a breakup, which can involve anyone, especially those in a toxic relationship.

The breakup has set them free. They are now open to looking for new opportunities in their career or personal life or pursuing their dreams of achieving something they were unable to do in their relationship.

Instead of lamenting, he now wants to embrace life. Such men will not display any emotion for their ex-partners and prefer to remain happily single. This is also a common cause of why guys get cold after heartbreak.

8. He was the reason behind the breakup

So, why do guys get cold after the breakup? He was probably at fault and did not want to face you.

Often, men who cannot offer sustainable emotional support to their partners become cold after a breakup. They understand their faults and their inability to maintain a healthy relationship.

Such men will prefer to remain cold and emotionless toward their ex-partner. It is their way of apologizing and keeping their distance.

9. He is in a new relationship

Your ex does not want to recognize you at any social event when you two meet. Your ex-boyfriend is probably avoidant because of his new relationship.

He may have moved on and found someone who can keep him happy and satisfied in a healthy relationship. Such men do not want any extra drama and complications in their life.

Their exes are no longer important to such men, and they prefer to stay away from their exes. He has someone to give importance to and prefers it that way!

10. He was always like this

For emotionally avoidant men, becoming cold-hearted after the breakup is more common in real life. They were always emotionally reclusive and introverted.

Such men find it hard to show their emotions, even during their relationships. After the relationship has ended, their ex becomes a distant memory in their lives. They will maintain a cold and distant behavior even if they meet their ex after breaking up.

11. He still loves you

He has let you go but still wants you back in his life. He loves you deeply and is still in pain as you leave him. This is why men go cold suddenly after a breakup.

He still deeply cares for your well-being and checks on you indirectly. But they may not display their feelings in front of you. Instead, they maintain a façade while they encounter you in life.

12. It is his way of winning you back

Why do guys get cold after heartbreak? Probably, they want their partner back. Some men often try to manipulate their ex-partner emotionally by keeping an emotionless face. They think this technique will be enough to restart the relationship.

13. He is protecting himself from further pain

After experiencing the emotional toll of a breakup, some men may become distant to shield themselves from future hurt. This self-protective mechanism helps them avoid the vulnerability that comes with showing emotions or rekindling old feelings. 

By keeping their distance, they aim to prevent any potential for additional heartbreak. Maintaining emotional distance becomes a way to protect their heart from further pain and allow them to heal at their own pace.

14. He feels guilt or shame

Guilt or shame can cause a man to withdraw emotionally after a breakup. If he feels responsible for the end of the relationship, he might struggle with these emotions and find it easier to detach rather than confront his feelings or face his ex-partner. 

Such emotional coldness can be a way to cope with internal conflict and remorse. By avoiding interactions, he attempts to deal with his guilt and the consequences of his actions privately.

15. He is trying to respect your space

Sometimes, a man might go cold after a breakup out of respect for your space and healing process. He may believe that staying distant is the best way to allow both of you to move on. 

By avoiding contact and emotional displays, he aims to give you the freedom to heal and rebuild your life without his presence complicating the process. His coldness might be his way of ensuring that both of you have the necessary space to recover and start anew.

Watch this video by marriage.com to understand more about why guys go cold after a breakup:

Do all guys become cold after a breakup?

No, not every guy gets emotional and cold after a heartbreak. Some even prefer to maintain a cordial relationship with their exes, especially if they share a child or professional relationship. 

Despite being heartbroken, such men understand that a relationship may not work out and embrace the fact. But, on the flip side, some men can get cold and emotionless after a breakup.

How long do men take to move on from a breakup?

There is no definite answer to how long it might take men to get over breakups. It can vary from person to person, and male psychology after a breakup also comes into play. 

In general, men who engage in constructive things like pursuing a hobby, better career opportunities, or getting busy can move on faster. Such men may even enter a new relationship as they reach that emotional level again.

But men who are too emotional may take longer to move on. They may lament and remain depressed and sad for months before finally letting it go.

FAQs

Dealing with the aftermath of a breakup can be challenging, especially when trying to understand your ex-partner’s behavior. Here are some common questions answered to help you gain insight into why men act the way they do after a breakup.

• Why do men turn cold after a breakup?

Men may turn cold after a breakup to protect themselves from further emotional pain. This distancing helps them process their feelings and move on. Additionally, it can be a way to avoid dealing with guilt, shame, or unresolved issues from the relationship.

• How long does it take a guy to realize he wants you back?

The time it takes for a guy to realize he wants you back varies greatly. It can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on his emotional state and the circumstances of the breakup. Reflection, space, and time away from the relationship often play crucial roles.

• Why do men give silent treatment after a breakup?

Why men give silent treatment after a breakup could be because it works as a coping mechanism for them. This behavior allows them to avoid confronting their emotions and shields them from further hurt. 

It can also be a way to create distance and prevent any potential for rekindling old feelings.

• What makes a man miss a woman after a breakup?

A man may start to miss a woman after a breakup when he reflects on the positive aspects of the relationship. Memories of shared experiences, emotional connection, and companionship can trigger a sense of longing. The realization of what he has lost often fuels these feelings.

Takeaway

So, why do guys go cold after a breakup? There can be various reasons. Guys are also emotional beings and may be pained by the heartbreak and breakup.

Each man uses different coping techniques to cope with the loss. While some move on faster, others may need some time.

But, while breaking up, you need to ensure that the breakup with your ex-boyfriend or ex-husband remains amicable and neat. A messy breakup will cause more mental anguish for both of you. Try to do it compassionately and discuss it together to ensure he understands your feelings.