Micro-ghosting or the peak of micro-trends?

Between situationships and red flags, the love lives of Gen Z seem relentless, with new dating concepts emerging every week. The latest? Micro-ghosting, defined as an intermittent form of ghosting, where someone sporadically cuts ties without a clear explanation. Faced with the rise of this term, a question arises: are we witnessing the creation of concepts out of nothing, influenced by the virality of micro-trends, or does micro-ghosting reflect deeper social realities? Unlike traditional ghosting, which is a clean and final break, micro-ghosting allows for occasional reappearances, maintaining a tenuous and uncertain connection. This behavior is often seen in romantic relationships where one party hesitates to fully commit while hinting at a possible rekindling. Essentially, someone keeping you as an option without the courage to communicate their honest feelings.

On platforms like TikTok, many women have spoken out against micro-ghosting, labeling it as toxic behavior. These testimonies highlight this dishonest attitude that causes distress, where the lack of clear communication creates an atmosphere of doubt and insecurity. Content creators also emphasize the negative emotional impact, ranging from confusion to a loss of self-confidence. It is undeniable that the rise of social media has amplified the visibility of certain behaviors or trends, turning them into widely discussed topics. For instance, we recall the cinnamon cookie butter hair or balletcore that once took over TikTok. The virality of content on platforms gives the impression that these phenomena are fleeting and mostly superficial. Often, micro-trends repurpose existing concepts and make them marketable. For example, cinnamon cookie butter hair is simply a new way to commercialize brunette hair.

As for micro-ghosting, the analysis deserves deeper exploration because it is a concept unique to contemporary society, and as of now, there are no other terms to fully express it. Relationship dynamics evolve over time, influenced by factors such as the speed of exchanges, the superficiality of online interactions, and the fear of commitment. Micro-ghosting could therefore be seen as an adaptation of relationship behaviors to new communication methods, where the ease of cutting ties while maintaining minimal presence becomes a strategy for managing complex relationships. Moreover, in sociology, several theories support the idea that “naming is creating existence.” The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis (or linguistic relativity) emphasizes that language structures the perception of the world and influences thought. Naming a phenomenon contributes to its conceptualization and makes it accessible to collective reflection. Thus, naming micro-ghosting not only sheds light on this attitude in romantic relationships but also helps us understand it better and prompts discussions to address it. This new TikTok trend may be much deeper than it seems and could encourage changes in romantic relationships.