The Hoover: When the Past Tries to Suck You Back In

You ever notice how right when you’re finally starting to breathe again — when your skin’s clearing, your soul’s defogging, and your playlist is full of “I’m finding myself” bangers — BOOM.
Your past pops up like a broken vacuum trying to “hoover” you back in.

Yup. The dreaded Hoover.

Who knew the term for an abusive ex’s comeback attempt would sound like something you plug into the wall and cuss at on cleaning day? But honestly… that fits. Because a hoover isn’t here for your good. It’s here to suck the life out of you, the peace out of you, and the progress right out of your hands.

And for a long time, I fell for it.
Not because I was weak — but because I’m loyal. I wanted love so badly I kept hoping the future I imagined would magically show up if I tried harder, loved deeper, or held on longer.

Spoiler alert:
It didn’t.

Why They Hoover

Let’s be real: a hoover is NEVER about their love for you.
It’s about regaining control, attention, and the convenience you used to give them.
It’s a “Hey… I noticed you stopped suffering over me. Mind if I ruin that real quick?” kind of energy.

They sense your strength rising.
They feel their grip loosening.
And suddenly they’re popping up like, “Hey stranger…”
(Yeah, stay a stranger.)

What the Hoover Feels Like

A mix of:

Anger that they think they can stroll back in like you’re on layaway

Sadness for the dream you had

Loneliness whispering, “Maybe just respond…”

A tiny bit of “Damn, I must really be THAT girl if he noticed I’m gone.”

Look — all those feelings are human. None of them mean you’re slipping backward. It just means you’re healing, and healing isn’t neat. It’s dusty, messy, uneven, and looks suspiciously like progress.

How I Handle It Now

I won’t lie — blocking him sucked. It hurt. It made the loneliness louder.
But choosing myself was the only way to stop the cycle.

I had to look in the mirror and say, “Okay, maybe I hate being alone… but I hate being used more.”

And the truth?
I wasn’t still in love with him.
I was just scared of the empty space he used to fill.

Now I’m filling that space with:

Real connections

Peace

Growth

A future that doesn’t depend on someone who walked away

And yes, a little extra sass, because I earned it

The New Rule

If the past comes knocking, it can keep knocking until its knuckles fall off.

I’m not a revolving door.
I’m not a project.
I’m not a cure for someone’s boredom.

And I’m sure as hell not a vacuum bag to be emptied and refilled whenever someone feels like it.

The Bottom Line

The hoover only works if you unplug yourself from your worth.

But you?
You’re plugged into something better now — clarity, strength, and a future where your heart is cherished, not drained.

And even on the lonely days, even on the days you miss the idea of who someone could’ve been… you’re still choosing the version of you who survives, grows, and rises.

That’s the version who wins.