How can I break his barriers?

My ex boyfriend broke up with me four months ago. After a while talking sometimes, I decided to go NC because he was very distant and that was hurting me.
After those weeks we start talking again like friends, from time to time and about books, movies, tv… Sometimes he sent me things saying “it made me think about you”. We usually to have short conversations, once a week or so. Furthermore, we share a chat group with common friends so I try to show him my best side there too.
I miss the times we texted each other all day long). He is very stubborn and said that he is not in the “us” page anymore and the fact that we live in different cities (but near) isn’t helping (he hated distance due to a past experience). If we could met in person… He said that he wouldn’t mind met and go to the movies or something like that but as we barely talk, it is not possible arrange a meeting, I would be forcing things and wouldn’t work. But without seeing me, is easy for him to say that he has moved on and be distant.
I really want to make him “addicted” to talking to me like before, I need to gain him back but I don’t know how. I really miss him and I think that the key would be metting in person. With distance is easy to say “I’m over it” but if he could see me, spend a few hours woth me… I don’t want to talk about us inmediately, I just want make him remember who we were together.
The problem is that I am afraid he would say no to a meeting. Well, I asked him in february two times, even when he was being very very distant to me (telling him that I was going to his city for something else and we could met) but he gave me excuses (even though, he said thanks for telling him and asked me to tell him if I go there). A few days after that, I started NC because his coldness during those weeks was hurting me. After that, as I told above we talk about the “new stage” and since then, he uses to text me once or twice a week but with things about our favorite tv shows and movies and I guess he is a little more comfortable but it is not enough and I still don’t have the confidence to ask him to met in person.
What can I do to make him more attached to me again and create the situation for asking him to met without forcing the things? (well it would be better if was him who suggested it but it seems impossible to me). I really believe that meeting in person and experience me again, just like before (not our last dates, obviously) could move him a little.
I must say that I’ve just finished in my temporary job and I am searching for one in his city (it is the most important city of our region, above all in my field) so…well, if I got it, the distance which limited him would be over but I don’t have any yet, so for now I have to “work” with what I have, and the situation is what it is… I miss him and I think that he is holding himself back (he told me that he have done that before). How can I make him confortable with me again and open to give us another chance?

Thank you a lot

Lynn,

I hear where you are coming from. I too agree that in person meetings are much more affective. It’s easy to blow off a text, letter, etc because even if you put emotion into it, it’s not the same as seeing them in front of you.

Do you have any of his stuff you can use to get back to him as an excuse to see him?

Thank you a lot for your answer. No, I don’t have any excuse… Well I have one of his Christmas resents, which arrived too late (he broke up with me on Dec 28) but he doesn’t know. I keep it because it is something he really wanted and very hard to find and I was hoping to give it to him for his birthday (in July), if we were better…But things are getting worse day by day and I don’t want to use this excuse because it would seem a desperated move and he will keep even more disctance.
I have plenty of excuses for going to his city (I am searching for job there, it is he most important city in our county) but it wouldn’t work, I need to get him closer by texts before. He hasn’t texted me in ten days and I am afraid he never will again… So forcing things would be worst (talking about our situation, two months after the break up, he told me not to force the things, tah let it grow…but it is not growing and I am more and more sad each day)

You could Always mention the gift but act like it’s not a big deal. If he agrees to get it, blow off his first attempt to meet up. I did this with my ex, had some of her stuff, and blew off her first attempt to meet up. When she came over she made the excuse to stay (asked me to have a beer with her) I think playing it off like it didn’t matter did help.

Thank you a lot. You are right… The thing is that his bday is in July so it would be weird doing it now… And since we don’t live in the same city, I need to rebuild the connection with texts and this is difficult because we don’t talk much… I don’t want to force the things but I am scared of not getting him back so, I don’t act desperate, I don’t chase him, I don’t text him constantly (we text each other once a week or so=, but I am having an awful time, like a nightmare…

I completely understand and know where you are coming from. I would try getting that stuff to him, maybe wait till his birthday but make it very much known you got him it for Christmas, etc. it’s really hard to feel so distant from someone who was once everything. Maybe don’t talk to him for a couple weeks then see if he wants the gift? I would try that

Also Lynn if you wouldn’t mind, I posted my story on here and could use feedback as well! It’s kind of long but the details felt necessary, thanks!

Thank you a lot…I will try to do this…
And I’m going to your post right now, I wish I can help you

You need to make him miss you a little and by not talking to him for a while he may start to!