“Love bombing is a tactic in which a person uses excessive and disproportionate gestures of affection with the goal of manipulation and establishing control over their partner. This can include elaborate gift-giving, over-complimenting, wanting undivided attention, and other manipulative tactics” (Jones, 2022).
Love bombing is most often used by narcissists and abusive people, as a method to quickly obtain affection and attention before tearing their victims down (Olsson, 2022). They may appear charming and exciting in the beginning, but this usually fades away and is replaced with emotional abuse” (Olsson, 2022).
Dating in 2023 can be challenging these days. Social media has changed the way individuals meet and socialize. It appears many lack the verbal communication skills needed to carry on normal conversation.
I had never heard of the term “love bombing, until a friend mentioned the phrase during a conversation we were having related to relationships. It is a concept that can be over whelming for the recipient who is receiving these gestures. The attention may seem genuine in the beginning, but can become abusive if one asserts their will against the person who is attentive to your needs. For those who have not experienced “love bombing” you may not recognize the emotional abuse that occurs until you are well immersed into the relationship.
We all want to feel wanted and loved and when you meet someone who appears to be interested and says the right things, it is easy to let down your guard. My suggestion to you, is to take your time to get to know your potential partner and set boundaries early. It is important to maintain your current friendships and continue the activities you love to keep your life in balance, so you do not loose yourself in the new relationship.
Good luck! Finding that special person can take time and effort. Be patient and know good communication and compromise is an essential key in any relationship.
Reference
Jones, H. (2022). What is Love Bombing? https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-love-bombing-5224664
Lamothe, C. (2019). Love Bombing: 10 Signs of Over-the-Top Love. https://www.healthline.com/health/love-bombing
Olsson, R. (2022). Love bombing. https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/teach-me/what-is-love-bombing-and-how-to-recognize-the-signs
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