Dating App Ghosting: 8 Tips for When You've Been Ignored

Intentionally ignoring a person without an explanation is one of the most passive-aggressive forms of human behavior there is — it denotes a certain disdain for the person being ignored. It suggests a weakness of character and is a red flag that indicates an unresolved issue on behalf of the “ghoster.”

Ghosting is becoming a growing communication phenomenon. Around fifty percent of men and women have experienced ghosting, with a large number carrying out the act.

According to the New York Times, ghosting is “The act of suddenly ceasing all communication with someone you are dating but no longer wish to date.” In its way, ghosting is a form of rejection without an explanation — no text, no call, no email, nada. It’s also a way for the ghoster to avoid accountability while hoping you get the hint.

In this blog, we'll discuss 8 tips for when you've been ignored, the reasons why people ghost, and 5 signs of ghosting.

8 Tips for When You've Been Ignored

1. Stay calm

It’s hard to keep your cool when your texts and phone calls suddenly go unanswered. However, you should take a deep breath and relax before launching a tirade of frantic texts or sending a 10-paragraph angry email.

Not knowing why they won’t respond is maddening, but it's better to cool off before saying something you'll regret or jumping to conclusions.

2. Confirm that the person is intentionally ghosting you

If you just met the person or went on 1 or 2 casual dates, checking up on them probably isn’t worth your time. However, if you’ve been friends or romantically involved for months or years, they might just have a lot on their plate. Before jumping to conclusions, see if they've simply been busy, and make sure that they’re in good physical and mental health.

You could check their social media profile and see if they’re posting pictures or statuses. Keep in mind you shouldn’t obsess over their posts for hours. Just do a quick check.

If you both have a mutual friend, you could ask them if the person who’s ignoring you is okay.

3. Accept the truth instead of getting trapped in denial

If it’s clear that the person is intentionally ignoring you, it might be best to cut your losses. If they post fun pictures on social media and your mutual friends say that they're doing well, the ball's in their court. There's not much more you can do beyond telling them you're willing to discuss any issues and wishing them well.[4]

As much as it hurts, do your best to stop making excuses for them or holding out hope that they’ll eventually respond.

4. Try not to take it personally

Most romantic relationships come to an end at some point, and sometimes people just aren’t suited to each other. Instead of thinking, “There’s something wrong with me,” remind yourself that, sometimes, people are just incompatible. Don’t beat yourself up just because it didn't work out with someone.

Focus on the fact that you dodged a bullet. It's better to be ghosted after 1 or 2 dates than to waste weeks or months with someone that's not right for you.

5. Maintain your mental and physical health

Eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising can all help you push through your grief. Additionally, setting aside time to do activities you most enjoy can help boost your self-confidence.

Avoid skipping meals or loading up on sweets. Eat nutritious foods, such as fruits and veggies, healthy proteins (such as poultry or fish), whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.

Do your best to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.

Exercise for at least 30 minutes each day. Outdoor exercise can be especially helpful, so go for brisk walks, jogs, or bike rides.

6. Go on dates and meet new people

Don’t let this experience get in the way of forming relationships in the future. Dating might seem daunting, and you might be afraid of being ghosted again. Take a deep breath, face your fears, and allow yourself to be vulnerable.

Try taking a class or joining a club related to one of your interests. You could join a gardening club, sign up for an informal sports league, or take a cooking class.

Remind yourself that life is full of both joy and pain. You’ll face obstacles in the future, but refusing to put yourself out there is no way to live.

7. Look for ways to grow, but don’t blame yourself

Don’t kick yourself while you’re down, but think about how you can learn from being ghosted. There’s no way to guarantee that you won’t find yourself in a similar situation, but you might find ways to be more selective of friends or dates in the future.

Remember to stay positive instead of finding ways to blame yourself. Practice constructive self-criticism, such as, “I put more effort into making plans than they did, and should avoid similar situations in the future.”

8. View rejection as a blessing in disguise

It never feels good to be rejected, but try to see the bigger picture. Experiencing heartbreak can help you cope with grief in the future. As much as it hurts now, you’ll feel better soon.

The next time you’re in a tough situation, think back to this, and remind yourself that things will get better.

Reasons Why People Ghost

1. They're just not that into you

People make time for the things they care about—even if that means making time to break up with someone.

According to a 2019 BuzzFeed survey, 81% of participants said they ghosted someone because they weren't into them, 64% said the other person did something they disliked, and 26% said they were angry with them.

If someone's not interested in you or feels like they haven't invested that much time in the relationship, then they may feel they "don't owe you anything or owe you that ending conversation.

2. They got too busy or stressed

While it's true that people make time for the things that are important to them, it's also true that life sometimes gets in the way. A tough time at work or family issues can easily distract you from a still-early courtship with a person you haven't met more than once.

They may honestly just be too busy at the moment and distracted by other life happenings, such as work stress, mental health issues, or other challenges. And sometimes a person may forget to respond to a text initially or plan to respond to it later when they have time or energy, but then enough time passes that they feel like there's no point in saying anything anymore.

3. They're worried about hurting the other person's feelings

In some cases, people ghost because they don't want to hurt the other person's feelings. But if that's why you're choosing to ghost someone, the truth is that it's counterproductive: Unfortunately, being ghosted often causes far more irritation and pain than straightforward "I'm moving on" or ''We're not a good fit" comments might create.

4. It has to do with timing

Some people may feel they don't owe the other person anything, including a conversation explaining why the relationship is ending, because of the amount of time they were seeing each other. If they feel they haven't invested a lot of time or emotion in the relationship, then there's no need for an explanation.

5 Signs of Ghosting

1. Constantly bailing on plans

If your partner constantly cancels plans, you can see it as an example of what is ghosting.

A ghost will be reluctant to make plans or spend additional time with you. They will constantly cancel plans without providing you with a proper explanation or assurance of rescheduling the plan.

2. Unenthusiastic texting

An important aspect of modern-day communication is text messages, and hence learning what is ghosting in texting might be helpful for you.

If a person is not replying to your texts or taking too long to respond, they might be the ghosting meaning and example that you are looking for. It indicates a reluctance to communicate with you.

The person ghosting could also demonstrate what is ghosting by giving you one-word replies or sending emojis in response to your probing messages. They withhold their involvement and enthusiasm in their responses.

3. Stingy with details

What is ghosting someone can also be understood if you notice that someone is withholding sharing information about things that are personal to them.

Withholding information may indicate that they are no longer interested in forming a stronger bond with you or don’t trust you anymore with details about their life and feelings.

4. Disinterested in the future

If a partner showcases a disinterest in making plans with you, you may have the answer to what it means to ghost someone.

Discussing plans implies that you are planning a future together. It could be short-term like a vacation together or long-term like children. A person who is ghosting you will be unenthusiastic about discussing plans as they possibly can’t picture you in their future.

5. Social media distancing

In the age of social media, “What does ghosting mean” has different dimensions to it.

If your partner is ghosting you, they may slowly disengage themselves from your social media activities. They can initially start by not reacting to your posts and later unfollow you altogether.

Social media distancing indicates a desire to stay away from all aspects of your life. It can let you know they are not interested in your life or you.

Conclusion

In this blog, we explored the frustrating experience of being ignored, the reasons why people choose to ghost, and provided valuable tips for coping with this situation. By understanding the dynamics behind being ignored and recognizing the signs of ghosting, you can navigate these situations with greater clarity and emotional resilience.

In conclusion, being ignored and ghosted can be emotionally challenging experiences. However, by implementing the tips we discussed, focusing on self-care, and recognizing the signs of ghosting, you can navigate these situations with greater resilience and self-assurance. Remember to prioritize your own happiness and surround yourself with people who value and appreciate you. Most importantly, always remember that your worth is not defined by someone else's actions.