Does absence really make the heart grow fonder . . . especially when the person you’re into seems to forget you exist when you’re not in the same room?
As a result of these mixed signals, you might even ask yourself: “Should I try to invest in this relationship, even more, to show how serious I am? Or would it be better to mirror their behavior and go cold?”
In today’s video, I walk you through what you must absolutely NOT DO in this scenario . . . plus I give you two very specific text messages that can (finally!) get you out of this frustrating situation.
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Are you in a situation with someone where when you are with them, it feels amazing, you feel connected to this person, you feel like they shower you with attention, they are there, they’re excited, they can’t get enough of you, and then when you’re apart, you feel like you don’t exist? You don’t get their attention. They barely communicate with you. It gets very, very cold. It creates a crazy-making scenario where you feel like you’re living in two completely different worlds, the one where this person is extremely into you and then this complete other reality where it doesn’t seem like this person is thinking about you at all. In this video, I’m going to walk you through some classic mistakes to avoid in this scenario and I’m going to give you two very specific text messages to get you out of it.
Now, before I do, make sure you like this video, subscribe to this channel, and hit the notification bell. Literally right now, hit the Like button. If by the end of the video, you’ve decided I don’t like it, you can always unlike it. But for now, like it. Let’s talk for a moment about a classic mistake that people make in this scenario and then use it as justification to keep going with this person. Now, the problem is there’s a big difference between attention and intention. Attention is when someone is just giving us attention and looking for attention when they want to experience something romantically. Intention is when I have a vision for myself romantically, when I actually see myself creating something, building something. And when someone goes hot and cold in this way, what they’re showing you is they’re all about attention but not intention.
When they disappear, that’s a massive red flag, and the reason it’s a red flag is because it says, “I’m interested in having a romantic experience with you, but I’m not interested in making romantic progress with you.” Think about it. When someone goes cold, what do they say are the excuses? “I’m busy with work. I’m busy with friends. I’m busy with family. I’m busy with my hobbies.” But what that tells you is they are busy with their priorities. They are busy with things that they want to move the ball forward on, things they want to progress. I want to progress my business, which is why it’s getting my time. I want to progress my friendships, which is why they’re getting time. I want to progress my skill in this hobby, which is why it’s getting my time. So by that logic, you have to then say the reason you’re not hearing from them is because their romantic life with you is not something they’re trying to progress. It’s just something they want to experience in moments that are convenient to them.
The second mistake people make is mirroring that person’s behavior in a situation like this. Now, a lot of people do this feeling like they’re following things I’ve said over the years. So, for example, many people have heard me, if you followed me for a long time, you know that I’ve said many times, invest in who invests in you. Don’t invest in someone based on how much you like them. Invest in someone based on how much they invest in you. So then what happens is someone says, “Well, he was great when we were together, but now he’s gone cold so I’m going to stop investing because he’s not investing in me.” So they mirror that behavior and they go cold too. The problem is it actually ends up giving that person exactly what they might want, especially if they’re a player type, if they’re an avoidant.
Then they get exactly what they want in that scenario. “Oh wow, I can call them up when I want to see them, have an amazing time, have all that passion,” because you reward that investment. “Oh, he wants to see me now,” reward that investment by seeing him. “But when I’m not with her, she doesn’t bother me. This is perfect.” So the danger is you actually end up playing into their hands in that way. Or something equally bad happens, which is you going cold ends up attracting exactly the kind of guy you want to avoid, the player or the avoidant who gets turned on, gets attracted to you, suddenly going cold and withdrawing. The person that gets excited by you withdrawing is the person who’s energized by the game. And, of course, the problem with that is if you set up that dynamic, that game doesn’t stop.
The moment you turn around to meet them, they’re not interested. When you turn away and withdraw again, they come for you. So now you get stuck in that cycle. So how do you break that cycle? How do you apply what I’ve always said, which is invest in who invests in you, within the context of the situation of the person who’s going hot and cold? We have to be willing to withdraw our attention but with direct communication about what we don’t like in their behavior. So what we’re doing is taking the opportunity not just to withdraw, but to educate them on why we’re withdrawing. Now, it doesn’t make sense to do this if someone isn’t reaching out to you for a date, because there’s nothing to withdraw from. In order to educate them on why you are withdrawing, they have to be making an ask.
Now, the ask may be, “I really want to see you this weekend,” or it might be, “I miss you.” How is I miss you an ask? Well, it’s an ask for attention. I’m asking for you to give me validation back and tell me you miss me. When someone makes an ask, that’s your moment to communicate how you are feeling. And the reason, by the way, that people don’t communicate how they’re feeling is because they want to play this cool girl, or in a man’s case, cool guy. The danger of playing “cool girl” is that it attracts the wrong guys. It also doesn’t model the kind of behavior that would reveal the right guys. It doesn’t give the right guys something to see and go, “Oh, this is exactly what I’ve been looking for. This is exactly the vulnerability and the integrity and the character that I’ve been looking for.” You become invisible to the kinds of people who want the relationship that deep down you crave.
So here’s what we’re going to do. This person, after a week or two weeks of being cold and distant, suddenly pops up again and sends you a message. They may say, “I’ve been thinking about you. I would love to see you.” Here’s what you send back. “If I’m being honest, I’m a little surprised you want us to go on another date. I haven’t felt like we’ve been that close recently as I’ve not heard from you very much. I guess I just assumed we weren’t in the same place as each other.” What I like about this text is that you’re not expressing all of this upset and all of this sadness about where it’s gotten to. There’s something a bit matter of fact about it like, “I’m surprised to hear from you because I haven’t felt that close to you.” It’s almost past tense already. “I guess I just assumed we weren’t in the same place.” There’s a matter-of-factness about that.
It’s not, “I’ve been sitting here ruminating over the fact that we’re not in the same place. It’s just based on your actions, I already put you into a not that important category.” Now, we can quite easily figure out what someone might send in response to that. The instinct is to be a little defensive and to say, “Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve been really busy recently. I have a lot going on right now. It’s been a really busy time.” Let’s say he throws out some excuses like that. Now is your opportunity to educate him on what your standards are. “I totally get it. I have a lot going on too, so I know what it’s like, but something I really value is consistency. You and I have such a good time together, but I don’t feel like we’re very connected when we’re apart.” Here’s why this works. Firstly, it’s showing empathy and understanding. You’re applying a compassionate lens to the fact that he has a lot going on.
But you’re also saying, “I get it because I’m also busy. It’s not like I have nothing going on and you have loads going on and that’s why I don’t feel like there’s enough communication. It’s that I’m willing to make time for communication in spite of the fact that I have a lot going on.” You then go on to say, “But something I really value is consistency.” So now you’re very explicitly stating something you value and you’re pointing out the fact that he’s been anything but consistent. And that is why you feel distant and that’s why you can’t just jump into being flirtatious and arranging a date. You then say, “You and I have such a good time together.” That’s the warmth. That’s the moment where you get to say, “Hey, I am acknowledging that it’s awesome when it’s great between us, but I don’t feel like we’re very connected when we’re apart.” And I use the word “we’re”, I don’t feel like we’re very connected there because you’re not pointing the finger, you’re saying, “I just don’t feel like we’re very connected when we’re apart.”
So there’s still a “we” in this. You’re inviting him to step up and be better, but you’re not doing it in a way where you’re pointing fingers. I’ll say this at this juncture, in order to send this text with any integrity and with any potency, you need to be ready to lose this person before you send it. Otherwise, however, well you do at sending these messages I’ve crafted, your response after that will soften and show weakness and show that this standard isn’t real, it’s just a tactic, and before you know it you will have undone any respect and attraction that is created by this bold communication. Ultimately, you have to decide which category of person you want to be in this person’s life. Do you want to be another person they leave in their wake? Or do you want to be the person that says, “This is what I need and if I don’t get that, I’m not going to invest my time and energy in you”?
Now, that may not convert the wrong guy into the right guy, but it does have the potential to stop the right guy in his tracks when he sees an uncommon standard that is worth living up to. Did you enjoy the message that I gave in this video? Did it feel helpful? Do you want 67 more just like that, that can help you actually move your situation with someone forward instead of getting stuck in the phase you are in? Well, if you do, I have a program called The Momentum Texts. Now, before you click off the video, because I know you’re about to, you enjoyed the video and you’re like, “Next,” it’s $7. And if you’re sick and tired of getting stuck in this casual phase of dating or getting stuck on the apps and endless texting that never results in real dates or dates that never evolve into an actual relationship, if you’re so tired of it you could throw a shoe, then go over to MomentumTexts.com.
It’s right here. There’s the link. I care about it so much, I’m shoeless. Go check it out, MomentumTexts.com. It’s got something for everybody and it’s $7. That’s mental, $7. You know how long this program took me to create? $7. You know what? No, no, you can’t have it. Jameson, take the link off the screen. Enough. It’s too much. I tell you what, if I find out a single one of these people has gone to MomentumTexts.com, I’ll throw a shoe at you.
Hahaha! Throw that shoe! Omg too funny. Great message and video
Dear Matthew, you’re so funny, and I didn’t know you got such a sense of humor, and I love you for that, your video sure makes sense, for Me I will see what’s his reactions to my replies to his messages than decides what to do next ! As for me I would probably move on with my life, cause if he can do it once he will do it again! Matthew hope you did received my messages to you concerning if there’s possibly another way I could do my payments for purchasing your books, please kindly advise me, thanks Matthew. Sincerely Esther.
Thank you Matt!
That was very enlightening and helpfull, and exactly what I needed. I already know what my responce will be if this guy reappear again.
Best wishes!
Incredibly useful again, as I struggle with boundaries and how to deal with people crossing them. Instead of cutting everyone out, I believe in constructive communication and being able to shift the dynamics, or at least give it a try.
Hi Matthew, I need your advice or a personal matter. Will like to connect with you. Will like to connect on a video call and understand my position better.
Hi Matthew.
I’ve been following and listening to your podcast for a while now and first of all want to say thank you for all the great insights. Although I know you can’t answer everything or give individual advice, I hope this comment might inspire you to do a podcast episode.
I am currently feeling very lost and stuck, having come out of a “situationship” some months ago. We dated for about 3 months and everything started out very well, but the more time went by the more I started to notice that neither he nor I have been particularly vulnerable with each other, and even that we might have a hard time being just vulnerable with other people. After I started reading about attachment styles, I came to the conclusion that I myself have an insecure attachment and especially an insecure ambivalent attachment style. Anyway, our relationship started to give me more and more anxiety and I didn’t really know where I had him. He oscillated between being cold and warm towards me and at the same time I knew he still had his dating profile. I wouldn’t say I fell in love with him, but more attached to him because of my attachment style and because we had a lot of passion. But apart from passion, we had nothing at all. We could barely hold a conversation and we really couldn’t get into the vulnerable stuff. He is also 7 years older than me and has a son from before. What made me stick around for so long was because I felt he still cared, as he often wanted to “check in” on what I was doing and why I didn’t always respond so quickly. I figured his signs of jealousy were a sign that he wanted me. Anyway, I ended our relationship eventually as I became suspicious that he was seeing someone else and we had a conversation about it where he tried to confirm that I was the only one he was seeing. But since he didn’t want to show me his Tinder, it rather confirmed the opposite (even though he has absolutely no obligation to show me his Tinder, the fact that he still had his Tinder was enough). Instead, he made it about how we couldn’t be together because of his religion (Muslim), which he knew I wasn’t religious already when we started dating. To me, it just felt like a poor excuse.
At first, I felt a huge relief because I didn’t have to walk around with anxiety every day. After a while I started to feel more and more lonely and bored which made me start thinking along the lines of I will never meet someone I am both attracted to and who treats me well. My pattern has very often been that I meet guys who are emotionally unavailable (and now I’ve even realized that I’m emotionally unavailable myself) and that I’m attracted to that. After listening to your podcast I’ve realised that it has a lot to do with my self-esteem, but at the same time I don’t know how to work on it. It just feels a bit hopeless.
Anyway, I stopped contacting him and deleted him on all social media to move on. After about 2 weeks he gets in touch and wants to apologize for how he treated me and asks if we can end our contact in a “nice way”. I do not respond to this. Another 2 weeks later he happens to drive past me on my way home. I get a text message 5 minutes later in which he writes that “he couldn’t resist writing to me and that he just drove past me. That he took that particular road because he was hoping he would see me and that he was happy that it turned out that way”. He also wrote “I hope everything is fine with you and if you don’t want me to keep writing to you, you have to say so”. After about 20 minutes he calls me but I don’t answer his text or call. Two days later I meet him at the gym and he comes up to me and asks if we can talk. I say yes after much nagging on his part and agree to meet him after we finish training. Later that evening I meet him outside my apartment and get in his car to hear what he has to say. After so much work to reach out to me, I figure he wants a second chance, so I had already set myself up for it. He hands me a bouquet of roses and starts talking about how he’s very sorry for how he hurt me and that I’m a nice girl in every way, and that he really wants to ask for forgiveness. Nothing more. I start to wonder why he goes to such lengths just to ask for forgiveness when I have been very clear that I don’t want any contact with him (by not responding to his texts or calls). I return the roses and then go upstairs alone to my apartment. What he did somehow made me feel inadequate again and I regret meeting him. I still don’t understand why he went so far just to say sorry without asking for a second chance and quite honestly, even though I don’t want that relationship back, it brought my self-esteem down. That I am still inadequate.
That said Matthew, I understand that this got very long now and that you may not be able to respond or address this in your podcast. But I’ll make an attempt because I think many people go through the same things as me, i.e. have an insecure attachment style, are drawn to the “wrong” guy and struggle to move on when he keeps checking in but doesn´t give a good reason why.
Thank you so much for your great work and for helping us all so much!
Love from Scandinavia.
You write (talk) too much rather than get to the point and give concise examples. There was a lot that could have been edited.