Getting Left On "Read" And 9 Other Signs You're About To Be Ghosted

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When we use the term “ghosted,” it generally refers to instances when a lover abruptly disappears from your life. There is no breakup or conversation that denotes the end of your romance. The person simply vanishes, not to be seen or heard from for months, years, or ever again. While there are some instances in which there are no warning signs that a lover is about to go ghost, there are other times when the signs, while subtle, were there all along.

They stop initiating contact

One of the biggest signs that a new romance has grown stale is when communication frequency begins to decline. And when it comes to ghosting situations, specifically, you may begin to notice that your love interest has ceased to initiate contact. Suddenly, you’re the one who is starting all of the conversations when the load used to be more evenly distributed.

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They’re more irritable

Another sign that your new boo is about to disappear into the digital abyss is when they’re suddenly more snippy and irritable. Things that they used to find funny, they now find offensive. When you met, things were lighthearted and they were fairly easygoing and now, it seems that they’re always on the defense.

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Your conversations get shorter

When you first met, you would talk for hours. It didn’t matter if the conversation grew stale because you two had no issue with just sitting on the phone listening to each other breathe. When ghosting in imminent, you’re lucky if you can keep your boo on the phone long enough to have a five-minute conversation. For some reason or another, they always find a way to abruptly end the conversation.

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The periods between dates get longer

At one point, the two of you were probably planning your next date before the current date ended. Now, it feels as though the time between your get-togethers are becoming longer and longer. It’s obvious that spending time with you has become less of a priority and it may be because your boo is trying to slowly fade to black.

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They’re suddenly busier

We all experience seasons when life gets extremely hectic. However, we still manage to make time for the things and people who are important to us. If your beau suddenly can’t manage to fit you into their schedule, but they seem to have time for everything else, the writing is on the wall.

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The affection dries up

When your hot and heavy romance quickly grows cold seemingly out of the blue, something is definitely up. For one reason or another, their feelings towards you have changed. But instead of telling you what’s up, they plan to take the easier route by disappearing altogether.

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They become emotionally distant

In addition to physical distance, emotional distance is another sign that your new boo is preparing to pull off the cowardly exit strategy of going ghost. Suddenly, they can’t be bothered with sharing their feelings nor are they interested in hearing about yours.

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They start hitting you with brutal honesty

Honesty is important in any relationship, but it’s all about the delivery. People who care about you will gently tell you the truth because they are taking your feelings into consideration. A person who is eyeing the exit and has already decided that they’re done with you have a tendency to be more blunt and hurtful.

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They’re dismissive

The final nail in the coffin and the most telling sign that you’re about to be ghosted is when a romantic interest is suddenly dismissive about your feelings and concerns. When you let them know that you’ve noticed a change in them, they either act as though they don’t care or pretend not to know what you’re talking about.