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SHOULD I BLOCK SOMEONE WHO GHOSTED ME? DO THIS

Your date has blocked you. You’re hurt and angry so you ask yourself, “Should I block someone who ghosted me?”

The question of whether should I block someone who ghosted me feels like it doesn’t have a straightforward answer. On one hand, you want to leave a communication line open in anticipation that they will respond. 

Yet, you’re probably wondering why they should be entitled to more of your time when they’ve completely wasted it by ghosting you? So if you’re on the fence, hopefully this article will offer clarity to the question: Should I block someone who ghosted me? 

Not only will I address the question, “Should I block someone who ghosted me?”, but I’ll also share how to cope with ghosting. 

Summary

  • What is ghosting? 
  • Should I block someone who ghosted me? 
  • 10 ways to cope with ghosting 
  • Frequently asked questions 
    • Is blocking someone the best way to move on? 
    • Should you block a person who ghosted you? 
    • How should I treat someone who ghosted me? 
  • Conclusion 

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DISCLOSURE

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What is Ghosting? 

Ghosting is when someone abruptly or gradually stops communicating with you without providing any explanation or warning. It’s essentially a form of rejection and a relatively new phenomenon in the modern dating scene that some would argue is spurred by the rise of dating apps. 

It’s suggested that dating apps have created the illusion that there are plenty of choices, and that there are no consequences to disregarding your date, as you can simply move on to the next one. 

Ghosting has also been perceived as a way out of having honest and difficult conversations. While the latter might spur feelings of discomfort, it’s the former that can make one feel more hurt, rejected, and confused. 

Should I block someone who ghosted me? 

Before you address the question of “Should I block someone who ghosted me?” consider sending them one final message. 

Inform them that you’ve taken their absence as a sign that they’re no longer interested. Express how ghosting makes you feel, and that you would’ve appreciated an explanation for their dismissal. 

Give them a week to reply. Regardless of whether they choose to respond or not, the outcome would be to block them afterwards. However, giving them this window to explain themselves will hopefully provide you with valuable closure and insight. 

Also, it will offer you some comfort knowing that even if they don’t respond, you have done everything you could to address the situation. 

If you’re still on the fence about “should I block someone who ghosted me?”, here are several valid reasons to do so: 

  • You’re constantly checking your phone for a text message or missed call from them, and it’s making you feel anxious. 
  • You notice that they’re posting on their social media profiles, but have not bothered to reach out to you. 
  • This isn’t the first time they’ve ghosted you for an extended period. 

Whether you’ve been on a few dates or been seeing each other for several months, being ghosted shouldn’t be tolerated, especially when it hurts your feelings. While we cannot control if someone chooses to ghost you, we can control how we navigate it. 

10 Ways To Cope With Being Ghosted 

As much as we hate to admit it, being ghosted or rejected is a risk one has to take when dating. So, building resilience is essential. 

As I mentioned earlier in my previous article, building resilience in dating means developing practices that will help you overcome the ups and downs of finding a partner. This includes learning how to handle rejection, social anxiety, and communicate effectively. 

So, once you’ve addressed the question, “Should I block someone who ghosted me?”, your next step is learning how to cope with being ghosted. 

1. Process and acknowledge your emotions 

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It’s okay to admit that being ghosted has made you feel hurt and confused. It’s also normal to have your self-confidence shaken after being rejected. 

What matters at this point is how you navigate these heavy feelings. Choosing to ignore them will run the risk of influencing how you approach dating. 

For instance, you might start looking for external validation from dates who might not be compatible. Or you might start feeling more insecure and less confident as you continue to put yourself out there. 

So, before you move forward, take some time to process how you’re truly feeling. Allow your emotions to pass through you, but observe them as something separate from your body. 

Once you’ve acknowledged them, remind yourself that these feelings are temporary and what you’ve experienced does not define your self-worth. 

2. Accept what has happened and redefine what closure looks like 

Once you’ve addressed the question, “Should I block someone who ghosted me?”, you can now ask yourself, “Am I ready to accept what has happened and move forward?” 

Often, dating discourse will tell you that you need to learn why someone has ghosted you to move on. But unfortunately, not everyone you encounter will have the emotional maturity to have these difficult conversations. 

So, give yourself closure by accepting that you can move forward without the conversation. After all, being ghosted is a reflection of their behavior, not yours. 

3. Be self-compassionate 

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Credit: kalyanayahaluwo

From “Should  I block someone who ghosted me?” to “Did I deserve to be ghosted?”,  if you start noticing yourself spiraling into negative thoughts or you start speaking badly of yourself, take a moment to be self-compassionate. 

Practicing self-compassion means saying positive affirmations, such as reminding yourself that you’re doing your best and that you’re enough. 

Place your palm on your heart and take a few deep breaths. Notice the tension in your body and relax your posture. You can also hug yourself as a means to self-soothe. 

Your negative thoughts tend to run wild, so these practices aim to ground you back to your body. 

4. Reframe any negative thoughts 

Another way to be kind to yourself is to reframe any negative thoughts that may appear. The first step of reframing is to notice when you’re being critical of yourself. 

Once you’ve identified a negative thought, interrogate it. Ask yourself, is this thought true? What is the current reality of my situation? 

When you practice discerning your negative thoughts from reality, you’ll learn that your thoughts are merely an exaggeration and don’t reflect your current state. You can then reframe the thought to something more positive. 

5. Seek professional help 

If you’re struggling to manage your thoughts or need help navigating your emotions, consider reaching out to a professional therapist or counsellor. 

They’ll be able to actively listen to your concerns and provide you with the correct tools to help you process your feelings. 

6. Spend time with loved ones 

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Credit: CaiHuuThanh

One effective way to cope with being ghosted is to spend time with your loved ones. You might be feeling low and want to be left alone, but leaning on your friends and family will give you the comfort you didn’t know you needed. 

Spending time with those who truly care about you will not only uplift you but will remind you that you are loved. 

7. Do activities you enjoy and that build self-esteem 

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Credit: StockSnap 

Another practice to consider when you want to regain your self-confidence is to spend time doing activities that you enjoy and that build your self-esteem. 

This includes participating in hobbies that you truly enjoy, like painting or playing an instrument. To physical activities such as running or team sports. 

By channeling your time and energy into these activities, you will increase dopamine levels and reduce stress. You’ll also start to feel more positive and subsequently improve your self-confidence. 

8. Remind yourself what you’re looking for in dating 

If you’ve transitioned from “Should I block someone who ghosted me?” to “What should I do next?”, that means you’re ready to start thinking about how to move forward. 

After you’ve processed your feelings, start establishing what your dating intentions are. Get clear about what your life goals are and what kind of partner fits into your life vision. 

Reaffirm what your boundaries are when dating, i.e., what behavior are you not tolerating, and what shared values do you seek in a partner. This way, you’ll be able to navigate the dating scene with more confidence. 

9. Focus on the present 

Credit: gracinistudios

On the other hand, while it’s good to set dating intentions and work towards your future goals, it’s also important to be present when dating. 

If you constantly worry about whether this date is “the one”, you ironically miss the chance to find out because you’re too focused on the outcome to truly be present. 

So, get curious about your date by asking thoughtful questions and actively listening to their responses. Then reflect afterwards on how the date went. 

10. Embrace an abundant mindset 

An abundant mindset is the belief that there are enough resources, opportunities, and successes for everyone. An abundant mindset encourages optimism and hope for better dating outcomes. 

When we experience being ghosted, there’s a natural tendency to fall into a scarcity mindset. This means we assume nothing good will come after this. 

But by adopting an abundant mindset, we can perceive ghosting as a learning opportunity, and the lessons gathered can be brought to our next date. 

While we cannot predict the outcome, we can at least learn to be hopeful because being optimistic about dating isn’t futile; it’s necessary to keep going. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is blocking someone the best way to move on?

Being “blocked” is perceived as the final seal or last word in a relationship. Yet it can also be a helpful tool in moving past an unhealthy or even a healthy relationship. For many, it’s the most effective way to begin processing a breakup. 

Should you block a person who ghosted you?

Blocking someone who ghosted you is an important step to maintain your emotional and mental well-being. Ghosting refers to a person disappearing from another person’s life suddenly, without explaining why they’re leaving or what happened between them. 

How should I treat someone who ghosted me?

Send a message or call the person you ghosted. Acknowledge the communication gap, express your interest to reconnect, and be truthful about your feelings. 

Conclusion 

When someone ghosts you, it’s a reflection of who they are more than it is a reflection of your self-worth. 

You can consider the possibility that you might’ve said or done anything to upset them. But unless they come forward and communicate with you directly, your thoughts will continue to spiral. 

So, take your time processing what has happened and find the courage to move forward. While we cannot control if we will be ghosted in the future, we can control how we respond and navigate it. All the best!