Summary
This animated video explains why avoidant individuals tend to return after pulling away. It suggests that when they create distance, it's not because their feelings have disappeared, but because closeness triggers a sense of danger learned from past experiences. When they finally get the space they crave, they feel relief, leading them to believe they made the right choice by distancing themselves. However, this relief is temporary, and as the distraction wears off, they begin to miss the positive aspects of the relationship they pushed away. The video highlights the cruel symmetry where the anxious person heals during the avoidant's period of relief, only for the avoidant to return when they feel safe enough to process their emotions, often finding the other person has already moved on.