How to Handle Ghosting and Move On

By John Michael Smith |

5 min read

|22 Feb 2025

Ghosting—when someone suddenly cuts off all communication without explanation—can be painful and confusing. While it’s never easy to be ignored, there are ways to cope and move forward in a healthy way.

Understanding Why Ghosting Happens

Ghosting often happens due to fear of confrontation, lack of emotional maturity, or a change in feelings. While it may feel personal, it usually says more about the ghoster than the one being ghosted.

Recognizing that ghosting is a reflection of the other person’s inability to communicate can help lessen the emotional burden.

Allow Yourself to Feel

It’s okay to feel hurt, frustrated, or even angry. Acknowledge your emotions rather than suppressing them. Processing your feelings helps in moving forward with clarity.

Avoid Blaming Yourself

Being ghosted can make you question what went wrong, but don’t blame yourself. A healthy relationship requires mutual respect, and someone who ghosts isn’t offering that.

Resist the Urge to Reach Out

While it’s tempting to seek closure, reaching out to a ghoster often leads to more disappointment. Accepting their silence as an answer is the first step toward letting go.

Focus on Self-Care

Engage in activities that make you feel good—exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones. Prioritizing self-care helps rebuild confidence and emotional well-being.

Keep an Open Mind About Future Connections

Not everyone will treat you the way a ghoster did. Stay open to meeting new people and building relationships with those who communicate with honesty and respect.

Conclusion

Ghosting can be painful, but it’s not a reflection of your worth. By focusing on healing, self-care, and surrounding yourself with supportive people, you can move on and open yourself up to healthier connections in the future.