--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What was it with exes? Why were they…" description: "\"“What was it with exes? Why were they always twice as attractive after a break-up?”\" — Jena Leigh" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcf/jena-leigh-32558_alex_what-was-it-with-exes-why-were-they-alwa_599888.jpg" --- # What was it with exes? Why were they always twice as… ![“What was it with exes? Why were they always twice as attractive after a break-up?” quote by Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcf/jena-leigh-32558_alex_what-was-it-with-exes-why-were-they-alwa_599888.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcf/jena-leigh-32558_alex_what-was-it-with-exes-why-were-they-alwa_599888.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcf/jena-leigh-32558_alex_what-was-it-with-exes-why-were-they-alwa_599888.jpg) > ““What was it with exes? Why were they always twice as attractive after a break-up?”” [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Break‑ups often heighten attraction due to loss, nostalgia, and idealization of the past. **In simple terms:** Exes seem more appealing after separation. Key Takeaway Recognize idealization after break‑ups. Themes relationships psychology attraction break‑up dynamics idealization Mood thoughtful cautious Type relationship psychological When to use this quote - dating advice - self‑reflection - relationship counseling - friendship boundaries Key Concepts loss aversion nostalgia cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - Why do we romanticize past partners? - How can you maintain realistic expectations after a split? A Different Perspective May ignore genuine incompatibility and emotional health. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dating/) [Exes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exes/) [Revival](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revival/) ## Related quotes > [“He reached out, put his hands on her shoulders and pressed downwards. She fell into a seated position against a fallen tree. "Sit," he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/he-reached-out-put-his-hands-on-her-shoulders-and-pressed-downwards/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“She's fine," said Declan, defensive. "You're fine, right?" She gave him a look. "Peachy." "See? Both Alex and her astounding wit have made it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/she-s-fine-said-declan-defensive-you-re-fine-right-she-gave-him-a/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“She'd known the guy a grand total of five minutes and he'd already left her a sour first impression. The last thing she ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/she-d-known-the-guy-a-grand-total-of-five-minutes-and-he-d-already/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“Just say, 'no', Alex, dear." "You make him sound like a drug.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/just-say-no-alex-dear-you-make-him-sound-like-a-drug/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“Where are we?" She sat up. "My room at the cabin." "Your room?" He propped himself up on one elbow and shrugged his other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/where-are-we-she-sat-up-my-room-at-the-cabin-your-room-he-propped/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“You can't tell me you're not cold in those shorts." "Freezing," she admitted, handing Alex her messenger bag as she got to her feet.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/you-can-t-tell-me-you-re-not-cold-in-those-shorts-freezing-she/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“You coming?" She hesitated, weighing her options. Risk running back down the flaming aisles to find another exit? Or trust the guy who'd been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/you-coming-she-hesitated-weighing-her-options-risk-running-back-down/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [ I remember having some problems with \[the Deus Ex theme\] when I first heard it and I was trying to figure out how to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-spector/i-remember-having-some-problems-with-the-deus-ex-theme-when-i-first/) [Warren Spector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-spector/) > [“I trust you not to kill, main, or drown me without just provocation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/i-trust-you-not-to-kill-main-or-drown-me-without-just-provocation/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“She looks tan...-ish." "There's a fine line between 'tan', and looking like you just rolled around in a giant bag of Doritos. And Miranda…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/she-looks-tan-ish-there-s-a-fine-line-between-tan-and-looking-like/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“He wants to get back together," she finished. "And you said...?" he tried to keep his tone disinterested. "I haven't said anything," she said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/he-wants-to-get-back-together-she-finished-and-you-said-he-tried-to/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“Just keep her away from bookstores, if you can." Bookstores. Thanks, Grayson. That helps. Apparently whoever said, "no harm ever came from reading a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/just-keep-her-away-from-bookstores-if-you-can-bookstores-thanks/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“They sailed through the intersection...and only barely missed getting creamed by the cross-traffic. Nate was smiling. "Did you see that?" "Yes, Nathaniel." Kenzie had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/they-sailed-through-the-intersection-and-only-barely-missed-getting/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“You can't honestly be thinking about going back there," said Alex. "Apparently my brother isn't only lacking in people skills," said Kenzie. "He's also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/you-can-t-honestly-be-thinking-about-going-back-there-said-alex/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“I may be the one leaving, but you’re the one giving up everything and walking away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loni-flowers/i-may-be-the-one-leaving-but-you-re-the-one-giving-up-everything-and/) [Loni Flowers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loni-flowers/) ## More by Jena Leigh > [“You coming?" She hesitated, weighing her options. Risk running back down the flaming aisles to find another exit? Or trust the guy who'd been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/you-coming-she-hesitated-weighing-her-options-risk-running-back-down/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“You can't honestly be thinking about going back there," said Alex. "Apparently my brother isn't only lacking in people skills," said Kenzie. "He's also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/you-can-t-honestly-be-thinking-about-going-back-there-said-alex/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“You can't tell me you're not cold in those shorts." "Freezing," she admitted, handing Alex her messenger bag as she got to her feet.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/you-can-t-tell-me-you-re-not-cold-in-those-shorts-freezing-she/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“Where are we?" She sat up. "My room at the cabin." "Your room?" He propped himself up on one elbow and shrugged his other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/where-are-we-she-sat-up-my-room-at-the-cabin-your-room-he-propped/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“Just say, 'no', Alex, dear." "You make him sound like a drug.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/just-say-no-alex-dear-you-make-him-sound-like-a-drug/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“They sailed through the intersection...and only barely missed getting creamed by the cross-traffic. Nate was smiling. "Did you see that?" "Yes, Nathaniel." Kenzie had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/they-sailed-through-the-intersection-and-only-barely-missed-getting/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“She'd known the guy a grand total of five minutes and he'd already left her a sour first impression. The last thing she ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/she-d-known-the-guy-a-grand-total-of-five-minutes-and-he-d-already/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“She's fine," said Declan, defensive. "You're fine, right?" She gave him a look. "Peachy." "See? Both Alex and her astounding wit have made it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/she-s-fine-said-declan-defensive-you-re-fine-right-she-gave-him-a/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“He reached out, put his hands on her shoulders and pressed downwards. She fell into a seated position against a fallen tree. "Sit," he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/he-reached-out-put-his-hands-on-her-shoulders-and-pressed-downwards/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“Just keep her away from bookstores, if you can." Bookstores. Thanks, Grayson. That helps. Apparently whoever said, "no harm ever came from reading a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/just-keep-her-away-from-bookstores-if-you-can-bookstores-thanks/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“She looks tan...-ish." "There's a fine line between 'tan', and looking like you just rolled around in a giant bag of Doritos. And Miranda…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/she-looks-tan-ish-there-s-a-fine-line-between-tan-and-looking-like/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“I trust you not to kill, main, or drown me without just provocation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/i-trust-you-not-to-kill-main-or-drown-me-without-just-provocation/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“He wants to get back together," she finished. "And you said...?" he tried to keep his tone disinterested. "I haven't said anything," she said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/he-wants-to-get-back-together-she-finished-and-you-said-he-tried-to/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) > [“Declan, get your ass out of bed!" A light flicked on and Declan stumbled into view through the open window. He looked to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-leigh/declan-get-your-ass-out-of-bed-a-light-flicked-on-and-declan-stumbled/) [Jena Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) [Explore all 15 Jena Leigh quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-leigh/) ## More Alex quotes > [“I may be the one leaving, but you’re the one giving up everything and walking away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loni-flowers/i-may-be-the-one-leaving-but-you-re-the-one-giving-up-everything-and/) [Loni Flowers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loni-flowers/) > [“At least when I'm sleeping I can dream myself back to Alex, can dream myself into a different world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/at-least-when-i-m-sleeping-i-can-dream-myself-back-to-alex-can-dream/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [I am actually working on The Neighbors sitcom. We are starting from scratch. I am also working on a comedy movie and a vampire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-wiseau/i-am-actually-working-on-the-neighbors-sitcom-we-are-starting-from/) [Tommy Wiseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-wiseau/) > [“Something’s up,’ I say, handing the phone back. ‘Not necessarily,’ Jack says. ‘You think this is the first time Lila’s been hot-headed? Seriously, dude,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alderson/something-s-up-i-say-handing-the-phone-back-not-necessarily-jack-says/) [Sarah Alderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alderson/) > [Alex: Rosie, I wanted you to be the first person to no that I’ve decided to become a heart surgeon! Rosie: Cool, does it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/alex-rosie-i-wanted-you-to-be-the-first-person-to-no-that-i-ve/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“I breathed in the memory of his lips, the softness of them, and how they felt tracing across my skin, leaving ripples of goosebumps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alderson/i-breathed-in-the-memory-of-his-lips-the-softness-of-them-and-how/) [Sarah Alderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alderson/) > [ I remember having some problems with \[the Deus Ex theme\] when I first heard it and I was trying to figure out how to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-spector/i-remember-having-some-problems-with-the-deus-ex-theme-when-i-first/) [Warren Spector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-spector/) > [You knew where you stood with Sir Alex Ferguson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/you-knew-where-you-stood-with-sir-alex-ferguson/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [“Welcome home, Soldier of Furnace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/welcome-home-soldier-of-furnace/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [“It’s not great. What kind of connection is this? A one-way hotline to Pervyville?” I took a step forward, on a roll now. “It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-l-armentrout/it-s-not-great-what-kind-of-connection-is-this-a-one-way-hotline-to/) [Jennifer L. Armentrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-l-armentrout/) > [He read a lot. He used a lot of big words. I think maybe part of what got him into trouble was that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/he-read-a-lot-he-used-a-lot-of-big-words-i-think-maybe-part-of-what/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [Your name?"The movements of the man's mouth didn't quite match what he was saying, so seeing him speak was a bit like watching a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-horowitz/your-name-the-movements-of-the-man-s-mouth-didn-t-quite-match-what-he/) [Anthony Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-horowitz/) > [Dora appeared, placing Alex's coffee in front of him."Your girlfriend is a wonder, honey,"she siad to him, squeezing willows shoulder. Willow's smile turned strained…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dora-appeared-placing-alex-s-coffee-in-front-of-him-your-girlfriend/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I do have high expectations for Alex Riley. He seems athletic, articulate and intelligent. Only time will tell how far he goes, but Riley…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ross/i-do-have-high-expectations-for-alex-riley-he-seems-athletic/) [Jim Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ross/) > [“I mean, contrary to popular belief, I'm actually not harboring a secret desire to grow up and become a bioterrorist.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-norris/i-mean-contrary-to-popular-belief-i-m-actually-not-harboring-a-secret/) [Elizabeth Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-norris/) Browse all 479 Alex quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“What was it with exes? 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