Have you experienced ghosting and are you looking for a way to get past this experience? In this article, guest writer Elizabeth Shields shares valuable tips!

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Imagine this: You meet someone through friends or on a dating app. You exchange a few messages and hit it off right away. After flirty texts, late-night calls, and a string of unforgettable dates together, you’re convinced that there’s an undeniable spark. But just when you’re ready to take a leap of faith in this person, out of the blue, they vanish into thin air. They stop responding to your messages, avoid your calls, and leave you hanging and grappling with a mix of emotions— confusion, hurt, and plummeting self-esteem. You’re left with no closure or explanation, wondering if you’ve done something wrong or if it was all just a game.

This scenario is a modern-day example of ghosting in dating. It showcases the sudden and unexplained withdrawal of communication, leaving one person feeling abandoned and left in a state of emotional limbo.

Experiencing being ghosted can be hurtful and confusing, but it’s important to remember that you deserve respect and clear communication. While moving past being ghosted can be challenging, there are several steps you can take to help yourself heal and move forward. In this article, we’ll discuss how to honor your feelings, cultivate self-love, and reclaim your power as you embark on a journey of personal growth and resilience.

Understand that it’s not your fault

Ghosting says more about the person who chose to disappear than it does about you. It’s essential to remind yourself that you are worthy of respect and that their hurtful actions are not a reflection of your value as a person.

Allow yourself to feel

Whether it’s confusion, anger, sadness, or rejection, know that all your feelings are valid. Give yourself permission to experience emotions and acknowledge them without judgment.

Stop yourself from making assumptions

Ghosting often leaves you with unanswered questions and a swirl of what-if scenarios. But making assumptions about the plausible reasons behind why you’ve been ghosted can be detrimental as it can pave the way for negative self-talk, anxiety, or depression. Instead, remind yourself that you may never know the exact reasons and that it’s better to divert your attention to moving on from it.

Seek emotional support from your loved ones

Reach out to friends, family, or a trustworthy support network with whom you feel comfortable confiding your experience and feelings. Opening up about what happened and what you’re going through can help you gain perspective, process your emotions, and feel less alone during this time.

Focus on self-care practices

Engaging in self-care activities can be tremendously helpful in coping with being ghosted. Spend time doing healing activities that can ease stress, spark joy, and help regain your sense of self-worth. This might include reconnecting with friends, doing yoga and other exercises, rediscovering an old hobby, or taking a break to travel to a new place with your loved ones. 

Give yourself time to heal

As with anything in life, healing from being ghosted takes time. It’s critical to be patient and compassionate with yourself. Avoid rushing the process and allow yourself to heal at your own pace.

Reflect on the experience

While it’s a must not to blame yourself, it can still be valuable to reflect on the relationship or interaction that led to the ghosting. Consider any red flags you might have overlooked, lessons you can learn, and aspects you might want to avoid or address in the future to save yourself from toxic relationships.

Set healthy boundaries for your next relationships

Use it as an opportunity to establish healthy boundaries for potential partners. Be clear about your expectations for communication, express your needs, and be mindful of red flags that may indicate issues.

Consider professional help if needed

If you find it challenging to move past being ghosted on your own and it significantly affects your emotional well-being or self-esteem, consider seeking the assistance of a therapist or counselor. They can provide proper professional guidance, support, and tools to help you navigate the healing process more effectively.

Remember, moving on from being ghosted is a process, and it’s different for everyone. Be gentle with yourself and trust that with time, healing will come. Focus on personal growth, self-love, and building healthy connections moving forward.

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