Buzz
Maybe you and your boyfriend are having an argument, or he is giving you the silent treatment, but you don’t want to break up with him – you just want to teach him a lesson! When talking doesn’t yield results, the next strategy could be ignoring him. Even though you don’t want things to end, a little silence might make him notice you. In this article, we’ve gathered some tips on how to ignore your boyfriend to help you achieve your goal.
Steps
Be indifferent towards him.
Your silence will signal to him that something is wrong. Though challenging, try pretending he’s not even there. You’ve already tried talking, but your boyfriend hasn’t been listening, so it’s time to try something else. Avoid conversations by moving to another room or ignoring his calls.
- It may feel difficult for a few hours or even a few days, but this is your way of giving him a chance to reflect.
- Your boyfriend will be forced to sit down and think deeply about why you’ve gone silent, which might lead him to recognize his mistake.
Be brief if you have to talk.
Short responses with just one or two words will make him want to hear your thoughts and opinions. Questions or statements related to time and plans will require an answer, such as “Do you want Thai food tonight?” or “I’ll be out. I’ll be back at 12.” Even if you respond, you can still show indifference by not engaging fully.
- Respond directly to the question with no need for explanation.
- Short responses like “uh,” “no,” or “okay” indicate you heard him but don’t want to engage in further conversation. Your tone matters, so let him see your value by not participating in lengthy discussions.
- If he texts “Are you okay?”, simply reply with an emoji like 👍 or just “Ok.”
Delay answering when your boyfriend calls.
Let your boyfriend go to voicemail so he understands that he can’t call you whenever he wants. Don’t rush to call back – wait a few hours, or even a few days before reaching out. If he texts you, let him see that you’ve read it but haven’t responded.
- When he sees that you’ve read his message without replying, he’ll start wondering why you aren’t talking to him and will reconsider whether he did something to hurt you.
- Only respond to questions that only you can answer, especially when it involves matters like child care or finances. Wait a few hours before calling back so he knows you’re still upset.
- You might even change your ringtone for his calls. Instead of scrambling to grab your phone when his call comes through, you can just let it go to voicemail when you hear his ringtone.
Ignore your boyfriend on social media.
Freeze all contact with your boyfriend to show him you’re serious. Your boyfriend might think you're only ignoring him in real life, so make sure to stay silent on social media as well. It might be tough, but resist the urge to like his posts or send him funny memes – stick to your ground.
- You deserve your boyfriend's attention, and your indifference will make him regret the things he missed out on by not having you around.
- Engage with other friends on social media when you start missing your boyfriend.
- Save posts that remind you of him during the time you’re not in contact. You can respond to them later when he’s learned his lesson!
Give him some space.
The time apart will give your boyfriend a chance to reflect on what’s happened. Sometimes the easiest way to ignore someone is to simply leave them alone, so take a deep breath and step back. Get a cup of coffee, visit your favorite stores, or go watch a movie. Do what you love while he’s thinking.
- You can teach your boyfriend a valuable lesson just by separating yourself from him. Give him the time to reflect on what he’s done and realize how much he misses you.
Stay busy.
Keep a busy life to make him miss the times you spent together. Take this opportunity to return to your old routine. Sign up for a painting class or invite friends out for lunch. Enjoy the moments you have now without needing your boyfriend.
- He’ll start to miss you when he sees you continuing to enjoy life without him. This will make him wonder why you’re ignoring him. Perhaps, he’s feeling just as sad as you.
Show more interest in other guys.
Show affection for other guys to make your boyfriend feel jealous. Guys are naturally competitive, and when your boyfriend sees you hanging out with other guys, the alarm bells will go off! Let him see that you have plenty of options. A little jealousy will make him wish he hadn’t been so indifferent toward you.
- Invite a few male friends over for a movie night or join them to watch a sports match.
- Post group photos on social media so your boyfriend can see how much fun you’re having!
- Be careful not to overdo it. Don’t let him think you’re deceiving him. Keep your behavior casual and normal.
- Remember, if he really wants to, he will pursue you. You’re beautiful and lovable. If he doesn’t realize that, he’s not worthy of your time.
Give your boyfriend the chance to speak first.
Give your boyfriend the opportunity to apologize first so he feels heard. You may still be angry, but allow him the chance to take the initiative to make peace. This will strengthen the relationship and show that he’s learned his lesson.
- Your boyfriend might find it difficult to open up, so be patient with him. He might send a message asking where he can meet you or try to find a quiet moment to talk. Let him choose the right time and listen to what he has to say.
Take care of yourself.
Take time to care for yourself to show you can live without him. In a relationship, it's easy to fall into the habit of always doing things together, but who says you can't enjoy life alone? Treat yourself to things you enjoy or go to a spa to relax. Don’t forget to document your adventures so he can see the fun moments you're having!
- Self-care is always important, especially when you're trying to teach your man a lesson. You can prioritize your own needs over his demands.
- Post pictures of your adventures on social media. Let your boyfriend see that your life is still full of joy, even without him!
Hang out more with friends.
Engage with others to demonstrate your independence. You can ignore your boyfriend by socializing with both old and new friends. Interacting with others will keep you busy and make him jealous as he realizes you're paying attention to others. Eventually, he will reflect on why you're ignoring him and will have to adjust his behavior.
- A little jealousy can be beneficial for your boyfriend! It will help him see the world from a new perspective. When he sees you enjoying time with friends without him, he will realize his mistake and will have to change.
Change your routine.
Create a daily schedule to help your boyfriend realize he's not the center of your world. Avoiding someone you live with can be tough, but use this chance to set some personal routines. Instead of always adjusting to his schedule, follow your own.
- If you've always wanted to wake up early for a walk, start doing it! Do the things you’ve always wanted to do as if he’s not there.
- This will teach him that you deserve attention. Your boyfriend will begin to miss spending time with you in everyday activities and will want to make amends to get back to how things were.
Talk to him when you're ready.
Expressing your feelings can help strengthen the bond between you two. When you're ready, have a conversation with your boyfriend about what's been going on. It could be today, tomorrow, or in a few days. Arrange to meet when you feel comfortable and be honest with him about how you feel. He might not even know he hurt you, and he’ll never find out unless you speak up.
- Your feelings deserve respect, and no one can make you feel otherwise. If your boyfriend truly cares, he will listen.
