“Ghosting is the ultimate use of the silent treatment, a tactic that has often been viewed by mental health professionals as a form of emotional cruelty.” — Jennice Vilhauer, Ph.D.
Ghosting is Scary
I’m writing today about a subject that strikes fear into the hearts of many online daters – Ghosting. It’s a travesty that a lot of us have been through in this day and age. Have you ever been ghosted? I’m not talking about a spooky apparition or an evil spirit. No, this is much scarier and more devastating than being haunted by a wispy Casper. You know the drill: someone you’ve been seeing online suddenly stops replying to your messages, unfollows you on social media, and basically acts like you never existed? Well, if you have, you’re not alone. Ghosting is a new phenomenon that became popular along with online dating. When a relationship doesn’t work out, it’s much easier just to ghost someone. That way you don’t have to go through the awkwardness of ending an unproductive relationship that’s going nowhere.
Ghosting is Unfair
Ghosting isn’t really fair. It’s hurtful, selfish and rude to the person on the receiving end of this behavior. The ghostee is confused and bewildered. They don’t know if they did something wrong and what happened to the connection they thought was there. Could they have been that wrong? The ghoster may feel guilty, ashamed, or cowardly for avoiding a real conversation. There’s a lack of closure for either party.
Why Ghost?
So, what would cause a person to ghost? There are many possible reasons, such as convenience, lack of communication skills, fear of confrontation, or simply being overwhelmed by too many options in online dating. Some people may also ghost because they think they’re protecting the other person’s feelings by sparing them a breakup conversation. How ridiculous is that? But in reality, ghosting can cause more harm than good.
Ghosting Sucks
The bottom line is ghosting sucks. It’s disrespectful and immature. It shows a lack of empathy and consideration for others. It’s also a sign of poor character and low self-esteem. If you’re not feeling it with someone, just be honest and tell them. It may be uncomfortable, but it’s better than leaving them hanging. So, if you’ve been ghosted, hang in there. You’re not alone. It’s not your fault. It’s their loss.
I hope you enjoyed reading my post and learned something new. Have you ever been ghosted or ghosted someone else? How did it make you feel? Share your ghostly experiences in the comments section and remember to follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more fun and insightful articles.
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