Fizzling: The New Ghosting That Hurts Just as Much
Friday, January 31, 2025.
Modern dating is the barren wasteland of left swipes, "wyd?" texts at 2 AM, and now… fizzling.
If ghosting wasn’t bad enough, we’ve evolved (or devolved?) into something even more insidious: soft ghosting, aka "fizzling."
Wait, What Is Fizzling?
Fizzling is what happens when someone doesn’t outright disappear like a ghost but slowly fades into the abyss, one unanswered text at a time.
They’re not gone—not yet—but they’re definitely not here either.
Think of it as a Wi-Fi signal slowly dropping to one bar before disconnecting altogether. One minute, you're sharing memes and planning weekend brunches, and the next, you're waiting three days for a dry "haha" reply.
Why Do People Fizzle Instead of Just Breaking Up?
Ah, the million-dollar question. Fizzling is a product of:
✅ Conflict Avoidance: Some people would rather set their phone on fire than have an uncomfortable conversation. Instead of saying, “Hey, I’m just not feeling this,” they opt for the slow fade, hoping you’ll just get the hint.
✅ Attachment Issues: Ever heard of Avoidant Attachment? People with this tendency struggle with emotional intimacy and may retreat rather than confront relationship issues head-on. Basically, they hit the eject button, but in slow motion.
✅ Emotional Exhaustion: Dating is exhausting. Life is exhausting. Sometimes people fizzle not out of malice but because they simply don’t have the energy to engage, even in a proper goodbye. (Still rude, though.)
Why Fizzling Hurts Just as Much as Ghosting
If ghosting is a sudden heartbreak, fizzling is emotional death by a thousand cuts. The uncertainty is what makes it so painful. You’re left wondering:
Are they actually busy or just over me?
Should I double text?
Did they fall into a well?
How long do I wait before admitting I got fizzled?
That slow withdrawal keeps hope alive way longer than it should, making it even harder to move on. At least ghosting gives you closure through sheer brutality—fizzling just leaves you hanging in purgatory.
How to Handle a Fizzler (Without Losing Your Sanity)
If you suspect someone is fizzling on you, here’s how to take back control:
🔥 Call It Out – A simple “Hey, I’ve noticed our conversations have slowed down—are you still interested in keeping in touch?” can force some clarity. (Will they respond? Who knows! But you took the mature route.)
🔥 Match Their Energy – If they’re barely putting in effort, don’t chase them. You deserve enthusiasm, not breadcrumbs.
🔥 Know When to Walk Away – If you’re constantly left on read, it’s time to take the hint and exit with your dignity intact.
🔥 Resist the Urge to Fizzle Back – Two wrongs don’t make a right. If you’re no longer into someone, communicate it like the emotionally responsible adult you are.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Retire Fizzling, Please
Listen, we get it—modern dating is weird and confusing. But as tempting as it is to fade away from an uncomfortable situation, being upfront and honest is always the better move. A simple “Hey, I don’t think this is working” goes a long way.
So let’s leave fizzling where it belongs: in a can of soda, not in our relationships. 🥤💔
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.