Individuals in pursuit of a meaningful relationship are being cautioned about a dating trend that some claim is even more distressing than being ‘ghosted’.
Navigating the dating scene can be extraordinarily challenging, with fresh, adverse trends appearing seemingly every week for singles to navigate.
In recent times, the rise of ‘throning’ has disrupted relationships, along with ‘carouselling’, which is said to elevate anxiety levels.
For over a year now, another dating trend called being ‘zombied’ has been circulating, presenting a more severe version of ‘ghosting’.
Before delving into what being zombied involves, it’s important to understand the concept of ghosting.
According to Psychology Today, ghosting is defined as ‘abruptly ending communication with someone without explanation’.
This can happen with a friend, a first date, or even a steady partner over several months.
The experience of ghosting, whether you are the one doing it or on the receiving end, can lead to feelings of confusion, possible self-doubt, and even anger or helplessness.
While ghosting is unpleasant, being zombied can be even more troubling.
Singer-songwriter Mariel Darling asserts that being zombied surpasses the ghosting experience in severity.
Last April, the well-known TikToker shared on the platform that while others were being ghosted, she was experiencing being zombied.
“It’s like ghosting, but he comes back from the dead after a couple months and hits you up,” the New York City resident explained at the time.
In contrast to ghosting, where there is no further contact, being zombied involves the individual reappearing in your life after a period of silence.
Following Darling’s viral post about being zombied, dating expert Samantha Jayne spoke on the detrimental dating trend.
In an interview with news.com.au, she noted that this behavior isn’t an entirely new occurrence.
She suggested that this pattern of behavior has been present as long as relationships have existed.
“It can be extremely damaging and confusing,” she explained to the publication.
“It impacts self-confidence and leaves someone feeling anxious about abandonment then when that person reappears can give a sense of hope and a painful reminder of the random departure.”
Jayne continued, describing how it can bewilder individuals when a past love interest resurfaces unexpectedly without much explanation.
“Remember this person is appearing with no accountability and expects things to be back to normal as to where they left off.”
Though the concept of being zombied seems daunting, Kathryn Alice, a US-based Soulmate and Heartbreak Coach, suggests it might not always be negative.
She believes one reason a former acquaintance might contact you again is that they ‘didn’t realize that they had formed an attachment to you and might even miss you’.
In her discussion with Huff Post, Alice recommended that those affected should approach the situation carefully and possibly discuss how the previous absence impacted them.
She further advised that individuals might choose to ‘honor themselves’ by stepping away if the relationship ‘doesn’t feel like a good fit’.