What Is Ghosting and Why Does It Hurt So Much?

Ghosting refers to disappearing from someone’s life mysteriously without an appropriate explanation. I cannot say it is part of dating or the norm, but what I can say is that it is very common with those who are serial daters, emotional abusers, or perhaps someone with bad communication skills.

Ghosting can happen if you’re in a relationship with someone new, someone you’re committed to, dating, or romantically, or sexually involved with. You’re seeing this person, you went on several dates, you’re texting or talking every day, and spending quality time together. Suddenly without any warning at all this person seems to have disappeared as if they fell off the edge of the earth. No calls, no text messages, no connection made on social media, no responses to any of your messages just complete silence. Then you find out that your text messages, phone calls, and social media accounts are blocked.

Ghosting can result in feelings of feeling disrespected, used, and disposable. You’re left to wonder why, what went wrong, what did you do wrong, and how you didn’t see this coming? Ghosting hurts; it’s one of the cruelest forms of rejection. It can be painful because you’re left with no rationale, no reason for the disappearing act, only a head space of unresolved emotions. Ghosting is considered one the most hurtful ways to end a relationship, and…