Getting Ghosted All The Time? 7 Tips on How to Avoid This

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Ghosting can feel like a mysterious and common modern-day horror story. Especially when you match with someone you’re really into. You start chatting, everything seems fine, and then… radio silence. It can feel like the disappointment phase of a breakup.

If this sounds like your dating life, you’re not alone. Let’s save you hours of chatting that ends with you starring in your own weekly ghost story. But you need to understand why it happens, and how to deal with getting ghosted.

Cartoon of guys looking disappointed and frustrated by getting ghosted on dating apps

What Does Ghosting Mean?

First things first, what is ghosting?

It’s when someone you’re talking to (typically over text) suddenly stops replying and vanishes without a trace. No goodbye, no explanation, just gone.

It’s frustrating, but it’s not about you – it’s about them not knowing how to handle things. They’re lacking empathy for how it’ll affect you. Focus on how to deal with getting ghosted. Or better yet, how to avoid it in the first place by noticing the signs.

Why Do I Keep Getting Ghosted?

It's best to start with yourself. Look yourself in the mirror and give yourself the hard-needed pep talk. Can you recall any repeated texting behaviour that led to being ghosted?

Either way, here are a few reasons why you could be getting ghosted:

They’re Not Interested: This is the most common reason for getting ghosted. They likely didn’t feel a connection and instead of telling you directly, they just decided to ignore or block your text messages. Having a strong bio that they can refer to to learn more about you is important.

They’re Busy: They might be interested, but they just don't have the time to send a thoughtful reply. Life can get crazy, and they might not have time for dating.

They Don’t Like Confrontation: Some people just can’t handle saying they’re not interested.

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7 Tips to Avoid Getting Ghosted

1. Be Clear and Genuine

When chatting with someone new, be clear about your intentions. Yes, Rizz them up. Don’t feed them BS. Rizz plus authenticity can help establish a stronger connection. Share your interests, be yourself, and don’t be afraid to show vulnerability. Rizz, with a touch of vulnerability, can create empathy and intrigue. But spill your life story. It’s not a therapy session.

2. Be Patient

Building a connection takes time. Don’t rush things by pushing for a quick meet-up or intense conversations too soon. Rushing things can be coming on too strong. Avoid the rom-com fast and intense love story. Let the relationship develop naturally. Patience can help foster a deeper connection and reduce the chances of being ghosted.

3. Ask Open-Ended Questions

The last thing anyone wants is to answer generic, boring questions like they’re trying to network. Your job is to keep the conversation flowing. Try to ask open-ended questions. Instead of “Did you have a good day?” Try “What was the highlight of your day?”
This will get better responses and lead to a more meaningful conversation.

Here's a few examples you can copy & paste right now:

  1. “If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go and why?”
  2. “If you had to describe yourself using only three words, what would they be?”
  3. “What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you recently?”

4. Use Humor Wisely

A sense of humour can be very attractive, but be mindful of your jokes and their context. Avoid sarcasm or jokes that could be misinterpreted. Keep the Bill Burr references in your back pocket for another time.

Light-hearted and positive humour can keep the conversation enjoyable and engaging.

5. Don't Be Too Intense

While being enthusiastic is great, avoid overwhelming your match with too many messages or questions at once. Give them space to respond at their own pace. Nobody likes feeling smothered, especially not early on. Only when you see obvious signs from her should you start a more intimate conversation.

6. Spot The Red Flags

If someone’s giving you mixed signals or seems uninterested, it might be better to move on. Look for consistency. If they’re not putting in the effort, it’s not worth your time.

Some red flags to watch out for:

  1. Delayed Responses: Consistently slow replies can indicate a lack of interest or someone who isn’t genuinely invested in getting to know you.
  2. One-Word Answers: If they only respond with short, one-word answers, it might suggest they’re not that interested in having a meaningful conversation.
  3. Flaky Plans: Canceling plans last minute or being non-committal about meeting up can be a sign that they’re not serious about dating.

7. Don't let it get to you!

Getting ghosted can be tough on your self-esteem. Remember to take care of yourself emotionally. Spend time doing things you enjoy, and don’t let one bad experience deter you from finding a meaningful connection. Stay positive and keep putting yourself out there.

Next Steps

Make sure your dating profile shows off the real you. Use clear, recent photos and write a fun bio. Share your interests and what you’re looking for. This helps attract people who want to get to know you for who you are.

Better yet, use YourMove's free Profile Writer.