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If you are recently single and new to the dating scene again... there’s a toxic trend you need to be aware of!
Floodlighting!!!!
It’s a manipulative dating tactic where an individual shares deeply personal information early in a relationship to create a false sense of intimacy and gain empathy.
Example 1: “I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I have a history of abandonment, and I need to know you won’t leave me.” This pressures you to commit emotionally too soon.
Example 2: Someone you just met suddenly shares details about a painful breakup, family issues, or past traumas, making you feel obligated to comfort them…before you've built trust.
This behavior, termed by author Brené Brown, often leads to emotional imbalance and it’s just flat out manipulative!
But you’re a good person and you kinda like them so you want to be there for them and then before you know it... you’re trapped, hooked but for all the wrong reasons!
While emotional openness is essential.. it's important to allow relationships to develop naturally to avoid the negative impacts of oversharing.