What all the new dating terms mean

From the initial excitement of meeting someone new to recognising signs that things aren't going as planned, modern dating can be a rollercoaster with plenty of twists and turns. We may invest our time in getting to know another person only for it to not pay off due to their lack of reciprocal effort or changes in demeanour - making us ask ourselves if we're simply missing something when subtle actions indicate all is not what it seems.

Cloaking

Rejection is a tough pill to swallow, but when someone ghosts or cloaks you it can be even more confusing. While ghosting involves abruptly ceasing communication with no explanation in sight, those on the receiving end of "cloaking" are blocked from all social media outlets- leaving them both hurt and puzzled as to what transpired. In most cases though this behaviour has little, if anything at all to do with the person being rejected - rather emotional immaturity or fear may play into these occurrences leading one who's struggling mentally unable reach out for an understanding conversation before it’s too late.

Firedooring

The phenomenon known as 'firedooring' can be especially damaging when one person puts in all the effort, only to find their partner takes advantage of them. When it comes down to being unable or unwilling to stand alone, someone may lean heavily into this type of relationship out of a lack of self-worth - yet doing so often results in feeling inadequate and undervalued over time. As such, recognising the signs early is key for preserving emotional health; if you recognise that your potential partner's actions are more indicative than supportive then taking steps towards disengaging could lead to healthier long-term outlooks.

Haunting

With the presence of technology, a new phenomenon has arisen – 'haunting'. When someone you've lost contact with suddenly starts to pay attention to your social media again without any interaction behind it - this could be an unsettling sign. It may feel like there's still hope for reconnection but that isn't always the case; often people resort to such measures in search of a booty call rather than genuine connection.

Breadcrumbing

Navigating relationships can be confusing, and those seemingly innocent interactions that keep us hanging on for more may not actually lead anywhere. Breadcrumbing is a manipulative tactic where someone gives enough attention to maintain your interest but never fully commits - it boosts their ego while leaving you feeling confused and uncertain with no real pathway forward. Be sure to recognise the red flags so you're able protect yourself from this heart-wrenching situation.

Stashing

Struggling to understand why your significant other hasn't introduced you in public yet? You may be experiencing the phenomenon known as 'stashing.' While there are many reasons behind it, from a genuine insecurity about introducing people they care for to someone else not wanting their options kept open - an honest conversation is key. Remember that stashing creates difficulty trusting future partners and can have lasting negative impacts on self-esteem; so don’t delay discussing this issue with your partner any longer.

If you're in a pattern of choosing the wrong partners, but find it hard to break free from unhealthy relationships despite recognising red flags, professional therapy can be your guide to delve deeper into yourself and uncover why.