**Ghostlighting: The Troubling New Dating Trend That’s Here to Stay**.
**What is Ghostlighting?**.
Ghostlighting is the act of abruptly ending all communication with someone you’ve been dating without explanation. It’s like being ghosted, but with a cruel twist: the person who disappears often leaves behind a trail of unanswered messages and broken promises..
**Why is Ghostlighting on the Rise?**.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to the rise of ghostlighting, including:.
* **The rise of online dating:** Online dating makes it easier than ever to meet new people, but it also makes it easier to disappear without a trace..
* **The fear of commitment:** Many people are hesitant to commit to a relationship, and ghostlighting provides an easy way to avoid the potential pain of heartbreak..
* **The normalization of ghosting:** Ghosting has become so common that it’s almost considered acceptable behavior. This makes it easier for people to ghostlight without feeling guilty..
**The Impact of Ghostlighting**.
Ghostlighting can have a devastating impact on the person who is left behind. It can lead to feelings of confusion, hurt, and rejection. It can also make it difficult to trust others in the future..
**What Can You Do if You’ve Been Ghostlighted?**.
If you’ve been ghostlighted, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Many people have experienced this type of behavior, and it’s not your fault. Here are a few tips for coping with ghostlighting:.
* **Allow yourself to grieve:** It’s important to allow yourself to feel the pain of being ghostlighted. Don’t try to bottle up your emotions or pretend that you’re over it..
* **Talk to someone you trust:** Talk to a friend, family member, or therapist about what you’re going through. Talking about your feelings can help you to process them and move on..
* **Don’t blame yourself:** It’s easy to blame yourself for being ghostlighted, but it’s important to remember that you did nothing wrong. Ghostlighting is a reflection of the other person’s immaturity and lack of respect..
* **Focus on the positive:** It can be difficult to focus on the positive after being ghostlighted, but it’s important to remember that there are still good people out there. Don’t give up on love just because one person hurt you..
**How to Avoid Ghostlighting**.
If you want to avoid being ghostlighted, there are a few things you can do:.
* **Be upfront about your intentions:** Let the person you’re dating know that you’re not looking for anything serious. This will help to avoid any misunderstandings down the road..
* **Communicate your boundaries:** Let the person you’re dating know what you’re comfortable with and what you’re not. This will help to prevent them from crossing any lines..
* **Trust your gut:** If you have a feeling that the person you’re dating is going to ghostlight you, listen to your gut. It’s better to end things early than to be hurt later on..
**Ghostlighting is a troubling trend that is on the rise. However, there are things you can do to cope with being ghostlighted and to avoid it from happening to you in the future.**.
