Ghosting – Why It Happens and How to Move On (Level B1 – Skilled) 👻💬

What Is Ghosting and Why Does It Hurt?

Imagine chatting with a friend or someone you like. Everything seems fine, and then, suddenly, they stop answering. No explanation, no goodbye—just silence. This is called ghosting, and it happens when someone disappears from your life without any warning. It can be confusing and frustrating because it leaves you with no closure.

Ghosting happens in friendships, dating, and even at work. Social media and messaging apps have made it easier than ever to stop talking to someone without having to explain why. Unfortunately, being ignored can make you feel unimportant or rejected, even though most of the time, it has nothing to do with you.

Why Do People Ghost? 🤔

There are many reasons why someone might choose to ghost instead of communicating openly.

• Fear of confrontation – They don’t want to have a difficult conversation.
• Lack of emotional maturity – They don’t know how to express their feelings.
• Avoiding guilt – They think disappearing is easier than hurting someone directly.
• They are overwhelmed – Personal problems, stress, or anxiety make them withdraw.
• They lost interest – Instead of being honest, they choose to ignore messages.

While ghosting is never a kind thing to do, it’s important to understand that it says more about the person ghosting than the one being ghosted.

How to Deal with Ghosting Positively 😊

Being ghosted can feel like rejection, but it’s important to handle it in a healthy way. Instead of blaming yourself, try these steps:

• Don’t take it personally – If someone disappears, it’s their decision, not a reflection of your worth.
• Resist the urge to keep messaging – If they wanted to talk, they would.
• Focus on people who value you – Surround yourself with friends who communicate openly.
• Learn from the experience – Some people aren’t meant to stay in your life, and that’s okay.
• Move on with confidence – Ghosting can be a way to recognize who truly respects and cares about you.

Can Ghosting Ever Be Justified?

In some cases, ghosting is not about avoiding responsibility, but rather about protecting oneself. If someone is in a toxic or abusive situation, ghosting can be a way to establish healthy boundaries. In this context, cutting contact is sometimes the best choice. However, in regular friendships or relationships, honest communication is always a better approach than simply disappearing.

A Positive Perspective on Ghosting 🌟

Even though ghosting can feel painful, it can also be an opportunity for growth. Instead of chasing after people who don’t value communication, ghosting helps you focus on those who genuinely care. Every experience, even the negative ones, teaches us something important about ourselves and others.

Curiosity 🤯

Did you know that the term “ghosting” only became popular after 2015? Even though the behavior has always existed, social media and dating apps made it much more common!

Exercises 📝

1. Match the keywords with their definitions

a. Ghosting
b. Closure
c. Confrontation
d. Rejection
e. Boundaries
f. Communication
g. Toxic relationship
h. Personal growth

• The ability to talk openly and express feelings.
• When someone stops replying and disappears.
• The feeling of understanding when something ends.
• When someone sets limits to protect themselves.
• A situation where a relationship is harmful.
• When someone feels ignored or unwanted.
• Facing a problem directly instead of avoiding it.
• Learning and improving from life experiences.

2. True or False ❓

a. Ghosting only happens in romantic relationships.
b. People often ghost because they don’t want confrontation.
c. If someone ghosts you, it means you did something wrong.
d. Learning to move on from ghosting is a healthy response.
e. Ghosting is never justified in any situation.
f. People who ghost are always bad people.

3. Multiple Choice Questions 🎯

1. What is ghosting?
   A) When someone suddenly stops talking to you without an explanation.
   B) A type of video game.
   C) A friendly conversation.
   D) A way to say goodbye properly.
2. Why do people ghost others?
   A) Because they love talking all the time.
   B) Because they want to avoid difficult conversations.
   C) Because they always want to be honest.
   D) Because they enjoy hurting people.
3. What is a healthy way to deal with ghosting?
   A) Sending many messages until they reply.
   B) Thinking it’s your fault.
   C) Accepting it and focusing on better relationships.
   D) Ignoring all your friends forever.
4. How can you stay positive after being ghosted?
   A) Focus on people who appreciate you.
   B) Get angry and send rude messages.
   C) Keep waiting for them to come back.
   D) Stop talking to everyone.

Answers ✅

1. a-2, b-3, c-7, d-6, e-4, f-1, g-5, h-8
2. a-False, b-True, c-False, d-True, e-False, f-False
3. 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-A

Glossary 📖

• Ghosting = Quando qualcuno scompare senza spiegazioni
• Closure = Chiusura emotiva dopo un evento difficile
• Confrontation = Affrontare un problema o una conversazione difficile
• Rejection = Sentirsi rifiutati o non voluti
• Boundaries = Limiti personali per proteggere se stessi
• Communication = La capacità di esprimere i propri pensieri e sentimenti
• Toxic relationship = Relazione dannosa o negativa
• Personal growth = Crescita personale attraverso le esperienze