It’s incredibly frustrating when a guy just can’t connect emotionally – and it’s often the cause of a relationship breaking down.
Being with an emotionally distant or unavailable man is a constant struggle.
One of the burning questions is; do emotionally unavailable men miss you?
Whether you’ve split from the guy or you’re spending time apart, it’s normal to want him to miss you as much as you miss him.
Here is what we know about how emotionally unavailable men feel and think when they’re apart from their partners:
What Does Emotionally Unavailable Mean?
When a guy is emotionally unavailable, it means that he’s unable to connect with his emotions or with yours.
There are different levels of emotional unavailability, but the gist is that he’s not able to connect on a deep, intimate level.
This could be because he’s been hurt in the past and is afraid of getting hurt again, or it could be that he simply doesn’t know how to connect with people emotionally.
It’s also possible that he’s not entirely aware that he’s emotionally unavailable.
Sometimes this can be due to past trauma, it might be because he needs help and encouragement, or he may even have a personality disorder.
Related – Tips for breaking up with an emotionally immature man!
Do Emotionally Unavailable Men Miss You?
The answer to this question is usually, unfortunately, no.
If a guy is emotionally unavailable, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll be able to form a deep, genuine connection with you.
This means that even if he does care for you, he’s not going to be able to show it in the way that you want or need.
It’s not impossible for an emotionally unavailable man to miss you or to change over time, but it is unlikely.
If you’re in a relationship with an emotionally distant man, it’s important to understand that you might not ever get the level of intimacy and connection that you want.
You might be able to work on improving communication and emotional intimacy, but it’s important to set realistic expectations.
10 Signs an Emotionally Unavailable Man Misses You
It’s possible that a guy misses you, even if he struggles to connect on an emotional level.
In fact, if you’ve split up, this might be the shock he needs to be able to change and start becoming more emotionally engaged.
Here are some of the signs that an emotionally unavailable man is missing you:
1. He Asks You Questions About How You’re Doing
If a guy cares and is interested in you, he’s going to want to know how you’re doing.
He might not be able to show his emotions, but he should still be interested in your life and what’s going on with you.
If he asks you questions about your day-to-day, it’s a good sign that he’s missing you.
2. He Contacts You First
If a guy is emotionally unavailable, he might not be the one to initiate contact.
However, if he’s missing you, he’s more likely to be the one to reach out and get in touch.
If you find that he’s texting or calling you first, it’s a good sign that he’s thinking about you.
3. He Tells You He Feels Comfortable Opening Up With You
A guy who’s emotionally unavailable might find it difficult to open up and share his feelings.
However, if he’s missing you, he might start to feel more comfortable being open and honest with you.
If he starts to share his thoughts and feelings with you, it’s a sign he misses you and wants to try and connect with you.
4. He Initiates Meeting Up
If a guy is struggling to connect with you emotionally, he typically wouldn’t initiate meeting up and wouldn’t pick up on cues you wanted to.
However, if he’s missing you he’s going to crave seeing you so he’s much more likely to initiate a meeting.
5. He Does Things to Surprise You
This is a big ask from a lot of guys, especially those who are not as in tune with their partner’s emotions.
However, if a guy is missing you he might start making more of an effort to do things that will surprise and please you.
It doesn’t have to be anything grand, but if he starts making more of an effort than he has before you can assume he’s missing you.
6. He Comments On And Likes Your Social Media Posts
Social media is where most things happen these days, so you may need to pay attention to how he’s interacting with your online profiles.
If he’s liking and commenting on your posts, it’s a good sign that he misses you.
It means he’s keeping up with your life and wanting to know what’s going on with you without putting himself out there and contacting you directly.
7. He Introduces You to His Close Friends and Family
If a guy is missing you, he might start to include you in his life more by introducing you to the people who are important to him.
If he starts to introduce you to his friends and family, that’s a sign that he’s trying to bring you closer into his world.
This is something emotionally distant guys will do to get closer to someone without having to make themselves emotionally vulnerable.
8. You Find Out He’s Always Talking About You with Other People
If a guy is missing you but can’t – or doesn’t want to – talk to you, he’s going to talk about you.
It might be with his friends, family, or someone else where word gets back to you.
If you find out he’s always talking about you, it means he’s constantly thinking about you and wondering how you’re doing.
9. He Wants a Picture of The Two of You Together
If a guy is missing you, it’s natural that he will want some sort of physical reminder of you.
One of the ways he might do this is by asking for a picture of the two of you together.
This might seem routine for most guys, but for an emotionally unavailable guy, it’s a bigger step in the right direction.
10. He Gets Jealous when You’re out With Others
This is a classic sign that a guy – or a girl – either misses someone or wants them bad.
Jealousy is a sign that the person cares about you and doesn’t want to see you with someone else.
This is more common with emotionally unavailable guys as they find it difficult to communicate their emotions directly with the person they like.
Related – How to spot emotional immaturity in a woman and tips for living with an emotionally distant partner!
Will an Emotionally Unavailable Guy Come Back?
It’s possible that an emotionally unavailable man will come back, but it’s not as likely as a guy who is emotionally connected with you.
If he does come back, it’s also important to remember that he’s not likely to change overnight.
It will take time, patience, and effort to build a deeper emotional connection.
If you’re considering getting back with an emotionally unavailable man, it’s important to be honest with yourself about what you’re looking for and what you’re willing to accept.
It’s also important to be aware of the signs that he’s not ready or willing to change.
If you’re not sure what you want or if you’re not getting your emotional needs met, the reality is that it might be best to move on.
Image credits – Photo by Ryan Porter on Unsplash
Phil lives in England, UK, and has around 20 years experience as a professional life, career and executive coach. He started this blog to help others find and define their own self development journey. Blogging about a wide range of topics to help facilitate a better future.