Elena felt a familiar sinking feeling as she stared at her chat history. A week ago, she had been laughing over late night messages with someone who seemed genuinely interested. Now, he had disappeared without a word another ghosting. It stung. For a day or two, Elena wondered what she did wrong. Then she remembered a conversation with her cousin who assured her, “It is not you. People ghost for their own reasons.” Elena decided she would not let this setback derail her search for love.
If you have been ghosted, you are far from alone. Roughly three in ten adults say they have been abruptly cut off with no explanation, and the percentage is even higher for active online daters. Ghosting is unfortunately common in digital dating culture, but it is important not to take it personally. The person who vanished might have been juggling too much, not truly ready to date, or simply chosen the easy way out. None of that reflects on your worth. What matters is how you respond and move forward.
Coping Tips After Being Ghosted:
- Do not Internalize It: Remind yourself that ghosting is about the ghosted behaviour, not your value. It happens to almost everyone at some point.
- Resist the Urge to Chase: It can be tempting to send a flurry of follow ups. Instead, give one polite check in if you must, then move on. Preserving your dignity sends a powerful message to yourself.
- Reconnect with Your Life: Do something that makes you happy hit the gym, call a friend, dive into a hobby. Refocusing on your life reminds you that your happiness doesn’t hinge on one vanished match.
Call to Action: The next time someone ghosts you, take a deep breath and remember Elena approach. Do not let one disappearing act dim your spirit. Keep your head high, stay open to the next opportunity, and know that the right person will be willing to communicate smoke and mirrors needed.
Sources: mentorresearch.org