Is it normal to compare people to your ex?
Yes, it’s normal to compare people to an ex, especially while you’re still processing the breakup or getting to know someone new. Just try to notice when the comparison is helping you spot what you want—and when it’s keeping you stuck in the past.
Your ex can become a reference point: you know what felt good, what drove you nuts, and what you don’t want again. So a new person’s habits or way of treating you may naturally bring up comparisons. That doesn’t mean you’re still in love with your ex or that you’re doing anything wrong.
It gets less fair to the new person if you expect them to be a replacement, or assume they’ll act just like your ex. Use comparisons as clues about your preferences, not as a scorecard. And if every date turns into a mental review of your ex, you might need a little more time before dating feels like its own thing again.