From Ghosted to Grounded

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Welcome back to Wellness Weekly! This week, we're diving into something equally chaotic: the ghosting era. Yep, we're talking about those times when someone disappears faster than your motivation to go to the gym on a Monday. Ghosting sucks, but let's flip the script and talk about how to stay grounded when it happens.
Yes, It Totally Sucks
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Let’s be real: getting ghosted feels like a sucker punch to the soul. One day, you're vibing—swapping memes, having those late-night convos where you’re both oversharing but also weirdly loving it, and maybe even planning a cute hangout. Then, boom: radio silence. Suddenly, you're left staring at your phone, re-reading every text thread and wondering if it was that one emoji or maybe your enthusiastic use of exclamation points that scared them off.
Here’s the truth: their silence isn’t about you. It’s a reflection of them and how they handle (or, more accurately, avoid) communication. And yeah, it stings—it’s human to feel hurt when someone you liked just disappears. But let’s zoom out for a second: what does their ghosting really say?
When someone ghosts you, they’re essentially sending you a big, unspoken message: this is how I deal with stuff. Instead of having an adult conversation or even sending a simple “Hey, I don’t think this is working out,” they chose to vanish. That says everything about their emotional maturity—or lack thereof. It’s not about you being “too much” or “not enough”; it’s about them not being ready or willing to handle something as basic as clear communication.
And honestly, isn’t it better to know that now, before things get more serious? Imagine investing months—or even years—into someone who thinks disappearing is a valid conflict resolution strategy. Sure, it hurts in the short term, but in the grand scheme of things? They just did you a favor by revealing who they are early on.
So, while it’s tempting to overanalyze and play detective, trying to figure out what you did wrong, stop and remind yourself: you didn’t ghost anyone. They did. That’s on them, not you.
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And let’s talk about closure for a second—because ghosting robs you of that. When someone vanishes, you don’t get the satisfaction of an explanation, no final conversation, no real way to process what happened. It’s frustrating because our brains crave answers. We want to know why someone decided to leave us hanging. Was it something we said? Did they just lose interest? Were they ever really interested in the first place? The uncertainty lingers, making it easy to spiral into overthinking and self-blame.
But here’s the thing: closure isn’t something they give you. It’s something you create for yourself. If you sit around waiting for that person to come back and offer an apology or an explanation, you’re just prolonging the pain. The reality is, they made a choice—whether out of immaturity, fear, or sheer indifference—to disappear instead of handling things like an adult. And that choice tells you everything you need to know. You don’t need their words to confirm it.
Closure isn’t about getting an answer from them; it’s about deciding that their silence is the answer. It’s about shifting your focus from “Why did they do this to me?” to “What does their action teach me about the kind of people I want in my life?” Because at the end of the day, someone who genuinely values you wouldn’t leave you questioning your worth. They wouldn’t vanish and leave you to pick up the emotional pieces alone.
So instead of seeking closure from them, give it to yourself. Acknowledge that you deserve better. Accept that their disappearing act was never a reflection of your value but a reflection of their inability to communicate. Let go of the need to understand why they did it, and focus on what you need to move forward. Because the best kind of closure? It’s realizing you’re too good to be waiting for someone who didn’t even have the decency to say goodbye.
How Well Did You Really Know Them?
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Here’s a little reality check: how much did you actually know about this person? Like, beyond the surface-level stuff—did you know who they really were, or were you just filling in the blanks with your own hopes and assumptions? It’s easy to romanticize someone when the vibes are good. Maybe you bonded over your mutual obsession with Taylor Swift’s latest album, swapped taco recommendations, or laughed way too hard over some niche meme. And while all of that is fun and cute, it’s not the full story of who someone is.
Take a step back and ask yourself: were they genuinely showing up for you in a meaningful way? Did they make an effort to be consistent, or were they more of a “pop in when it’s convenient” kind of person? Were they interested in truly getting to know you, or were they just enjoying the attention?
Sometimes, we get so caught up in the potential of a connection that we forget to assess the reality of it. The person you were texting might have seemed amazing, but were they actually bringing that same energy into your real-life interactions? If they weren’t, then here’s the harsh but freeing truth: ghosting is their way of doing you a favor. It’s a fast pass to learning that they weren’t ready—or willing—to be the kind of person you deserve.
Think about it: do you really want to waste energy on someone who’s flaky, inconsistent, or just looking for a quick ego boost? The answer is probably no. So while it hurts now, remind yourself that this isn’t rejection; it’s redirection. Their exit is clearing space for someone who’s actually worth your time and energy.
What If You’re the Ghost?
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Okay, time for some real talk. If you’ve ever ghosted someone (and let’s be honest, most of us probably have), this is your reminder that behind that screen is an actual human being with real feelings. It’s easy to justify disappearing when the vibe isn’t there or when things get a little too complicated. But let’s not forget: communication is a two-way street, and ghosting someone isn’t just about dodging discomfort—it’s also about leaving someone else in the dark, which can feel pretty awful on their end.
Think about it: how would you feel if someone you were interested in or even just curious about completely vanished? You’d be left wondering what went wrong, questioning yourself, and feeling hurt. It’s not a great feeling, right? And while it might seem like ghosting is the easiest way to avoid an awkward conversation, it’s not exactly the kindest.
When you ghost someone, you’re essentially taking the easy way out at their expense. Instead of facing a potentially uncomfortable moment, you’re leaving them with unanswered questions. And guess what? That’s not the energy we want to be putting into the world.
If you feel like ghosting someone, pause and reflect for a second. Why are you tempted to disappear? Is it because the connection isn’t working? Are you overwhelmed? Or maybe you just don’t know how to say, “Hey, I don’t think this is going anywhere.” Whatever the reason, there’s almost always a kinder way to handle it.
Here’s a super simple script you can use instead of ghosting:
“Hey, I’ve really enjoyed talking to you, but I don’t feel like we’re a match. I wanted to let you know because I respect your time and feelings. Wishing you all the best!”
See? It’s direct, respectful, and leaves no room for confusion. And the best part? You get to walk away knowing you handled things like an emotionally intelligent legend.
Reclaiming Your Energy
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Instead of spiraling into self-doubt, let’s flip the narrative. Use this as a chance to focus on you. Revisit the things that light you up—whether it’s diving into a new hobby, hanging out with your besties, or binge-watching your comfort show (hello, Emily in Paris). Remember, the energy you were pouring into that ghoster? You can now channel that back into yourself.
Also, PSA: don’t let one ghoster ruin your vibe. The right people will never make you question your worth.
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Journal It Out
Write down how you’re feeling—it’s like texting them, but way healthier.
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Talk To Your People
Vent to your friends; they’ll remind you how amazing you are.
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Set Boundaries
If someone ghosts you and reappears, you don’t owe them a response.
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Ghosting is tough, but let’s keep it in perspective: it’s not the end of the world—or your dating life. Yes, it feels awful in the moment, but think of it as a plot twist in your story, not the final chapter. This experience is a reminder of your resilience, your ability to bounce back, and your power to keep moving forward.
When someone ghosts you, they’re making it clear they’re not meant to be part of your journey. And while that realization stings, it’s also liberating. You’re free to focus your energy on people and experiences that truly matter—ones that build you up instead of leaving you hanging. The right connections won’t make you question your worth or wonder if you’re enough. They’ll affirm everything amazing about you and encourage you to keep shining.
So here’s the game plan: stay grounded, keep your head held high, and remember that this is just one small bump on your path. Invest in the things and people that fill your life with joy, whether that’s your hobbies, your friends, your self-care routine, or even just binge-watching a series that makes you laugh until your stomach hurts.
You’ve got this, and the best part of your story is still ahead. So take a deep breath, let go of the hurt, and step into the next chapter with confidence and grace. The world is full of people who will celebrate you for exactly who you are—and trust me, they’re worth the wait. Until next week, stay glowing! ✨