Ghosting, breadcrumbing, zombieing are quite the horrible dating trends, but this latest one really takes the cake. Love bombing is the latest trend on the dating scene and not only is it awful, it also sets the victim up for potential manipulation and even abuse.
So what is love bombing, you ask? It is when somebody swoops into your life and showers you with so much love and affection that you’re totally overwhelmed and completely head over heels in love. There are flowers everywhere, a lot of declarations of undying love and a series of grand, over the top gestures. However, once the honeymoon period is over and you’ve been completely won over, this person uses the same affection as a way to control and manipulate you. For them, it’s all about the power they have on you. It is a classic case of psychological conditioning.
The thing about love bombing is that you’re easily swept off your feet because everyone craves affection and wants to feel good. But that is where the problem lies. When the time comes, this love is used to make you feel guilty if you do something that doesn’t really fall in line with what the other person wants. It is emotional manipulation and abuse at it’s worst and your emotions are all over the place leaving you feeling vulnerable and exposed. Love bombers exploit the human need for affection and love and this is why it’s difficult to see the relationship for what it really is because suddenly, you find your sense of self-worth tied to a relationship.
Remember, healthy relationships are built over time. Their foundation is a series of actions that helped you build trust. You cannot be forced into trusting somebody. So, ladies, while trusting your gut may be difficult if you feel it’s all ‘too good to be true’, pause until you can gather your wits and then if it still feels like something is wrong, you should call it quits!
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