Getting ghosted is the process of someone breaking up with you disrespectfully by not answering phone calls or texts at all. Most of the time, there are signs to make you aware of the problem before it takes you by surprise. Here are ten red flags that reveal you’re about to get ghosted by your partner.
10 Signs You’re About to Get Ghosted
Do you see any of these hints of a partner who wants to move on but lacks the courage to tell you?
1. Unenthusiastic Texting Habits
When a couple is interested in each other, they will keep in contact. One of the easiest ways to stay in touch nowadays is via text. You can tell a lot about how someone feels about you based on their texting habits.
Who is the first one to initiate texts? If you are always the one starting conversation, that could be a sign they don’t care to reach out to you.
Do they text in one-word answers? When you ask someone about their day, and they merely respond with “ok” or “fine,” they aren’t trying to engage in an entire conversation. They could be busy, but they also might not want to talk.
How long does it take to get a response? You want and deserve someone who prioritizes you throughout their busy day. You shouldn’t have to wait for days for an answer. Eventually, a couple of days will turn into absolutely no response at all.
2. Limited or No PDA
Public displays of affection (PDA) are things like holding hands and kissing in public. While gratuitous PDA can be inappropriate and somewhat gross, some public displays are adorable. It’s also a way to show everyone you are with someone.
If your partner refuses to partake in any PDA, it’s a sign they aren’t interested. They want to appear single to the rest of the world.
Now, some people aren’t that into PDA; it makes them uncomfortable. You may even be one of those people yourself. However, when combined with other signs on the list, it could point to someone who will eventually ghost you.
3. Canceled Plans
When you make plans with someone, you should follow through with those plans. However, when someone isn’t very interested, they may cancel those plans when something better comes along. If your date canceled plans, it’s a red flag.
Granted, there are some legitimate reasons why you may need to cancel a date. For example, you may feel sick or have a family matter to tend to. When someone has a legitimate excuse, they will make a point to reschedule. He will also show regret. And, he’ll make the cancellation up to you with a special date or surprise later.
Finally, they will let you know as soon as possible instead of leaving you waiting around for them. Be understanding if it happens once, but you should not allow it to become a pattern. One of these days, you will stop trying to reschedule.
4. Constantly Distracted When Together
You and your date are finally together! Yay! Now, you should pay attention to how attentive they are to you. You don’t want to be out with someone barely paying attention to you. They should not be always on their phone, dazing off into space, or staring at other women the entire night. They should be providing eye contact and engaging in conversation.
Your partner should try getting to know you at every opportunity. It could be a sign they aren’t engaged with the idea of dating you if they aren’t engaged.
According to the National Institutes of Health, attentive mannerisms signify a healthy relationship. Here is what they have to say:
You feel safe talking about how you feel, you listen to each other. You feel valued, and you trust each other. ~NIH
Try asking open-ended questions to get them talking. You can also try telling them they seem distracted, in case they aren’t aware. If they don’t change their behavior to show you the attention you deserve, they may not plan to show you much attention in the future.
5. Not Introducing You to Friends/Family
When someone pictures you in their life, they will also picture you with the other people in their life. If your date hasn’t introduced you to their friends and family after time, they may not plan on ever making you a real part of their life.
Even worse, when you are out together, they see friends but fail to introduce you. It can feel like they are trying to hide you from people. Some people need time to take the next step and introduce you to friends and family, but it shouldn’t take more than a few months.
6. Excessive Pet Names
You may think it’s cute when you get called “babe” or “honey” by your date. It’s a term of endearment that can make you feel affection. However, this may not be as cute as you thought it was.
Some people use pet names as a way to disassociate someone. If they use pet names, you are less of a person to them. Plus, they won’t accidentally call you by another person’s name. Instead, you want to have them use your actual name. Excessive pet names are just a sign that you might soon get ghosted.
7. Not Trying to Impress
If you want to impress somebody, you put time and effort into your appearance. You will shower, get your nails done, shave, do your hair, do your makeup, put on makeup, put on perfume, and wear pretty clothes.
Some people may not be as high maintenance as you, but they should put some effort into their appearance when they know they will see you. Your partner should care not only about their appearance but also the appearance of their home. They should try to clean up a little bit for you.
How does your date look when you come over? Are they a disgusting mess, or have they put some effort into it? Even people who don’t care about how they look will put on a fresh tee shirt and maybe a splash of cologne. They may be thinking about breaking up if they can’t be bothered.
8. Not Opening Up
When you date someone, you will start to get to know each other. You will learn about each other’s interests and hobbies. You will also learn about their aspirations in life and the people who matter to them. At least, you should. Some people aren’t as quick to open up as others, but there should be progress with time.
When people open up to each other, it brings them closer together than ever before. This is how you develop a relationship. If your date isn’t so keen about opening up, you should ask questions. Start by asking questions that aren’t too personal and gradually up the intensity.
Do not talk about things that could be considered too personal at first. You should avoid those conversations for the first couple of dates. With time, you can ask more and more. If you are going to be ghosted, they will likely do everything possible to avoid being vulnerable in front of you.
9. No Talk of the Future
The point of dating is to develop a future together. If you are going to get ghosted, your date isn’t going to want to think about the future with you. It starts with plans.
- Can you make plans for the following weekend, or is that too far in the future?
- Do you make plans for upcoming events and holidays?
- When you talk about the future, do you put each other into that conversation?
You may be picturing a house and family while they may not be thinking past the following day. Some people just aren’t thinking about their future in general. You may need to consider breaking up with someone who seems to be in a perpetual state of adolescence.
Some experts report that shared goals make a couple more likely to begin planning their lives together.
“Notice if you are able to talk about what you want in the future and if your partner is also able to do so as well.” ~Jill Weber Ph.D.
10. You Feel It Coming
You need to learn to trust your intuition. Sometimes you need to get in touch with your feelings and be honest. If you can feel the lack of interest, you need to admit it and move on instead of trying to be with someone who doesn’t make you feel wanted. This can get complicated if you tend to have bad intuition. If you have weak intuition, you should make a point to talk to your partner and let them know if you are worried about getting ghosted. They may hear you and reassure you.
Final Thoughts on Getting Ghosted
Getting ghosted is much worse when you don’t anticipate the end of your relationship. If you are going to get ghosted, you’ll see some of these signs. Use these red flags to prepare yourself for the hurt of this breakup. The more red flags you spot, the better the chance that you will soon be single.
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