Dating trends, like most trends, come and go, which is generally a good thing.
Being a ghost, for example, is scary and confusing. On the other hand, the catfish does both and often makes the victim feel cheated as well. Another dating habit that has gained popularity recently but causes internal conflicts is overwhelming.
Definition of Breadcrumbing
“In the context of a relationship, crumb navigation refers to a person who gives you just enough ‘crumbs’ of attention or affection to give you hope and keep you hooked—but not enough to make you feel comfortable or make sure the relationship is working well. . says Dr. Gemma Harris, clinical psychologist. Crucially, crushing is when someone keeps pushing you with no intention of quitting or progressing.
Read more: Dating coaches say there’s one important thing you should know about first date..s
Breadcrumbs are unexpectedly widespread.
Although it is reasonable to assume that breadcrumbs have always been a part of human mating rituals, the practice has gained popularity in recent years. Notably, a 2021 study revealed that about 30% of participants experienced breakouts, especially in the year following the study.
Tiny sign
There are certain clear indicators of fragility that will help you better understand your place in someone else’s life. Indicators include:
Despite their constant flirting, they never make any moves.
They are irregular or inconsistent in their communication.
They don’t want to meet, but they will send you a message to say hello or express their appreciation.
They aggressively follow your social media profiles but do not respond to messages.
They never engage in real conversation, instead sending GIFs and memes.
They have “surface” conversations that “lack depth or vulnerability.” “Let’s go out sometime,” they remark, but never actually set a time or place.
The moment you start backing up, they suddenly start to care. When you do this, they may become less interested and the connection may seem one-sided”.
When plans are made, they never come to fruition.
They ignore other things, if not everything, in favor of focusing on the physical components of the relationship.
Actions that cause a trend
Dr. Harris cites a number of reasons for the unfavorable dating trend. According to her, those who are overly likable or have low self-esteem “may tend to engage in normalizing behaviors.” Because they remain open to the idea that things could get serious, they are therefore more prone to falling apart.
Read more: The latest dating trend is ‘benching’ and it’s worse than ghosting.
A typical reason is low self-esteem. e.m
Instead of trying to take advantage of your low self-esteem, the person who is scratching can do it because they share it. According to Dr. Harris, breadcrumbs help people with low self-esteem because it gives them “a sense of power and control.” In addition, individuals feel worthy or desirable.
He’s not under pressure.
In addition, it may be preferred by those who are afraid of commitment because it promotes a “pressure-free relationship”.
“Those with avoidant or disorganized attachment are prone to some form of crushing, but are generally considered less manipulative or intentional,” says Harris. “When they deliver breadcrumbs, it’s often because they’re withdrawing from an intimacy or intensity that has left them feeling vulnerable,” she says.
Dr. Harris goes on to say that the dating trend may be influenced by another factor. Poor mental health conditions like narcissistic personality disorder, she says, can send people into a never-ending cycle of breadcrumbs. This is because they also have a sense of purpose, “power or control”.
Adverse effects on mental health
It should come as no surprise that this dating trend can lead to serious emotional and mental problems. According to Psychology Today, the following emotions will help you determine where you stand in your relationship:
Going through a roller coaster of emotions.
Feeling unclear or confused about the partnership.
I wonder what went wrong.
Experiences low self-esteem or feelings of insecurity.
Depends on the other individual to maintain communication.
Feeling abused.
I feel cheated.
Feeling abused.
Positive news
Not being swayed by the decisions of others is one of the many strategies for dealing with breakups in your relationship. According to Dr. Harris, you can talk to them to see if they are “maliciously wasting your time” or if “this is a stage that can be better handled with some open communication.”
“Try to have an open discussion with them to see how much they understand and have insight into their actions.
If they can identify and take ownership of these patterns, collaborative change is more likely to happen,” she said.
Other strategies for avoiding the dating trend:
Set and stick to boundaries.
Notice when you “repeatedly hit brick walls” or when nothing has changed.
Don’t settle for substandard treatment.
Identify trends and events early in the partnership.
Continue your social activities “so you don’t become addicted to breadcrumbs.”
We are moving forward.
Finally, if you’ve been a breadcrumb, do yourself a favor. Beating yourself up about something that’s already causing you hurt or confusion won’t make it go away, but it’ll probably make you feel worse. Instead, Harris suggests being careful and compassionate so you don’t take things personally or feel guilty. But being informed about the latest dating fads can help remove some of the uncertainty.
Although fine-tuning is a frighteningly common dating practice, recognizing and understanding this behavior can help you avoid becoming a victim or rehabilitate yourself from it.
In conclusion, breadcrumbing is a manipulative and emotionally damaging dating trend that has become alarmingly common in modern relationships. It involves offering enough attention to attract someone without any real intention of deepening the connection. This behavior can lead to confusion, uncertainty, and considerable emotional distress for those on the receiving end. Recognizing the signs of fragmentation, such as inconsistent communication, failure to follow through on plans, and surface-level interactions, is critical to guarding against this unhealthy dynamic.
Dealing with the little things requires open communication, clear boundaries, and self-awareness. An honest conversation with the other person can help determine their intentions and whether the relationship is worth pursuing. Additionally, maintaining personal boundaries, engaging in fulfilling social activities, and not settling for less than you deserve can help.