You see, ghosting is like the fast food of breakups. It’s the convenient option, the drive-thru breakup if you will. Why waste time and energy on lengthy discussions about “feelings” and “where this is going”, when you can simply disappear?

Reflecting on my solo dating experiences, ghosting is the act of disappearing without a trace. One moment you’re engaged, responding to messages, accepting calls, and open for meetups. Then, without warning, you become unresponsive. Messages go unread, calls are ignored, and invitations are left hanging. You fade away, leaving the other party bewildered, unsure, and alone. But, why do people choose this path?

Ease. Often, the simplest route takes precedence. Ending a relationship through direct communication can be uncomfortable, draining, time-consuming, and emotionally challenging. Ghosting is less demanding.

Diminishing interest. Sometimes, ghosting occurs due to feelings of no interest or reduced romantic attraction. Exiting early and with minimal effort can appear as an attractive method of concluding the relationship.

Protection. Occasionally, individuals enter a relationship and promptly realize that continuing the interaction may not be beneficial. If the other party exhibits disturbing or peculiar behavior, cutting off all communication suddenly and without justification can be essential for personal safety.

So,  here are three positive ways to respond and move on.

Firstly, acknowledge your feelings. It’s okay to feel hurt, confused, and even angry. These are all valid emotions and it’s important to let yourself feel them. However, don’t let these feelings consume you. Take some time to process what happened, talk it out with a friend, or write it down in a journal. This will help you understand your emotions better and eventually make peace with the situation.

Secondly, focus on self-care. In moments of emotional distress, it’s easy to neglect our own needs. Use this time to prioritize your well-being. Engage in activities that make you happy and relaxed. It could be anything from reading a good book, spending time in nature, dancing, or practicing meditation. Caring for yourself physically can also have a profound impact on your mental state. So eat healthy, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly.

Lastly, learn from the experience. Every situation in life, no matter how painful, provides an opportunity for growth. Reflect on the situation and try to find positive takeaways. Did this experience teach you something about the kind of person you want to be with? Or did it make you realize certain red flags that you overlooked? Use this knowledge to make better decisions in the future.

Remember, getting ghosted says nothing about your worthiness of love or respect. It’s their loss if they couldn’t see your value. So dust yourself off, hold your head high, and move forward. Better things are sure to come your way!

Having someone ghost you says infinitely more about them than it does about you. From this point of view, the ghost is doing you a big favor. You’re getting a firsthand look at how this person, who just days ago was so marvelous, actually handles their emotions, your emotions, and difficult circumstances in general.