- Feel Good
- 21st Jan 2025
- 0
- 0 minute
Left on read? How to bounce back when you’ve been ghosted

Keep reminding yourself that their actions aren’t a reflection of your own self-worth.
Charlotte Battista
Ghosting. Whether you’ve done it, or been on the receiving end of it, disappearing overnight is the reality of modern dating.
In a world where internet dating feels like the only way to meet people, ghosting is all too common and almost impossible to avoid.
So what is it? Essentially, it’s suddenly ending all communication and avoiding contact with another person without any apparent warning or explanation and ignoring any subsequent attempts to communicate. Brutal, right?
It can be a horrible feeling.
You think everything’s going well – this could be the one. And then… it’s been three days, they’ve gone radio silent, and you’re left wondering what went wrong.
While ghosting hurts most of the time, let’s admit there have been times we’ve taken a huge sigh of relief when an awkward connection has fizzled out.
On the flip side, maybe you’re not feeling their vibe, but you don’t know what to say, so you stop replying and hope to fly under their radar.
Whichever you are (the ghost, the ghostee, or maybe both), I’ve got some practical tips on how you can handle the situation.
Handling the pain of ghosting

Allow yourself to feel your emotions. It’s normal to feel hurt, confused, or even angry. You’re allowed to feel this way. Process your emotions and be kind to yourself.
Give it some context. Maybe they have stuff going on in their life that they aren’t ready to share with you. It might not be anything personal, so try not to jump to conclusions.
Allow the silence to speak for itself. You don’t need to chase them for answers, on why they’ve ghosted you. This is a show of your own self-respect.
Set boundaries if they decide to reappear in your inbox. Decide if you want to engage with them, and assert that you’re not ok with inconsistent communication.
Focus on yourself. Keep reminding yourself that their actions aren’t a reflection of your own self-worth. Do something outside of dating to boost your mood and confidence, like connecting with friends or enjoying your favourite hobbies (sitting on the sofa with ice cream included!).
How to avoid becoming a ghost

Consider their feelings. Ghosting isn’t a nice experience for people on the receiving end. Think about how you might feel if someone did this to you, or even someone you care about.
Communicate your feelings. Be brave, and tell them you’re just not feeling it. More than often than not, you’ll find that they appreciate your honesty. If they take it badly, then at least you’ve stayed true to yourself.
Be honest, but not cruel. You could say something like, “I think you’re a great person, but I don’t think we’re a great match”, or “I don’t think this is right for me, but I wish you the best of luck.”
Write it down first. Drafting your message might help settle your nerves and make you feel more confident in your communication. You could even send it to a trusted friend first to make sure it reads well.
Whichever side you find yourself on, by being clear, honest and showing self-respect, you set the standard for how you want to be treated and how you will treat others.
Your bravery might even inspire others to follow your lead. Let’s bring back the courage to communicate and have better control of our dating lives.
Do you have a story about ghosting or any advice of your own? Let us know in the comments…
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