We’ve all been there.
Getting ghosted is one of the worst things ever, but unfortunately, it happens a lot. It’s almost more common to get ghosted by a dating app match than to actually continue your conversation with them for any substantial length of time. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to handle, though — getting ghosted by someone you were really vibing with can be worse than breaking up. At least when you've decided to call it quits with someone, you usually have an idea of why things didn't work out (AKA closure). But when a potential new boo disappears into thin air just when you were getting your hopes up, the confusion can be agonizing. That's why these ghosting memes are all too real.
The sad truth is that ghosting is a pretty normal part of dating culture (looking at you, West Elm Caleb). Why can't ghosters just pony up and send a wishy-washy text about how they "aren't looking for something serious" but are "still down to hang"? But, to be fair, most daters have also been on the other side of things — when the thought of cutting someone loose just seems so daunting, and after a certain amount of time has passed, having a breakup convo just feels redundant. Thankfully, there are endless amounts of relatable memes on the topic of ghosting that are here to dry the collective tears of rejection. Better things are ahead.
01This meme speaks to the ghosters who are secretly obsessed with your life.
Some mysteries really do make you wonder what is going on in the world — and trying to figure out why the flame who never responded to your text is the first person to watch every single one of your Instagram stories is quite the riddle. You can really watch every story but not answer one message? Ouch.
02This one warns that cuffing season is the perfect time to strike.
To be honest, few things are spookier than thinking you have a partner, only to wake up a week later and realize you were, in fact, mistaken. Ghostings that occur in the thick of cuffing season are particularly perplexing. Seriously, you weren’t looking for a soulmate, just a Netflix and chill buddy.
03Let's not forget the rubber-band ghosts.
They ghosted you, you were annoyed about it, and just when you were about to delete their number... surprise! Look who's back? Don’t fall for the "I'm so sorry, I've just been so busy" reconciliation text — consider this your warning that they will ghost you again.
05This is pretty much how ghosting feels.
It's basically a fact that the longer you date someone, the more troll-like it is to ghost them. And yet, that still doesn't stop some people from ghosting the SOs they've been with for years. Having someone new drop off the face of the earth after two weeks is far from the worst-case scenario, but of course, it still sucks.
06Not all ghosters are romantic interests.
If you’re going to take the time to apply for a job, it would be so amazing if you could get a simple "Thanks, but no thanks," email. Literally, anything. Yes, everyone is busy, but in a pinch, even a single email with the word "no" would do. (OK, not really, but you get the idea.)
08Sometimes you just get way too excited, way too soon.
Few things are as humbling as gleefully boasting about how you've finally met the perfect person, only to get left on read after a week. Something terrible must've happened, right? It's unreasonable to expect them to respond to your triple text when they're dealing with something rough, right? Right?
09In an all too common scenario, they go back to their ex.
Hey, at least there’s a clear reason for them ghosting you when this happens. A text saying they got back with their ex would still save everyone a lot of time, but alas, communication is just too much to ask for, apparently.
12Looks like they got the message.
So, you’ve been doing the ghosting and now you’re getting a taste of the burn. Which is worse, though — being unfollowed or being ghosted?
18Friend ghostings are the worst of the worst.
A romantic interest ghosting you? It sucks. But a potential new bestie on Bumble BFF giving you radio static? That one hurts on a whole new level.
23No matter what, you still fall for it every time.
Suddenly your steel willpower comes crumbling down and you physically cannot resist the urge to respond. In this case, you may want to enlist the help of the buddy system: Have a trusted friend on standby to grab your phone right out of your hand if you so much as think about answering.
No matter which way you slice it, dating someone who ends up high-tailing it out of your life at the speed of light can be utterly deflating. The “coulda, shoulda, woulda” associated with never getting closure can be brutal, but at the very least, you can be certain that if they weren't nice enough to give you the courtesy of a polite rejection, they probably weren't worth your time anyways. Sayonara!
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