Should You Try Zombie Dating?

Welcome to Gen Z, the generation of creative and urban trends. From blind to casual dates and situationships to ghosting, our generation has created its own way of tackling relationship issues, and one such flavor of these trends is zombie dating or zombieing. This uprising culture of dating has its origins in ghosting, the sudden and inexplicable end of communication that leaves a person unaware and frequently confused. This is called "ghosting." In today's dating world, ghosting is a typical occurrence.

Ghosting may be a confusing and painful experience that frequently leaves victims feeling rejected and with unresolved concerns. But how is this connected to zombie dating? Is ghosting the only reason for zombie dating? Is zombieing good? I know you are flooded with all these questions, so let's get started with all of them one by one.

What is Zombie dating?

In the dating world, zombieing is the term for people who abruptly reappear in the lives of their previous romantic partners following a period of quiet or ghosting. These people resurrect past relationships, frequently with no prior notice or explanation, much like a zombie emerging from the grave. Zombies emerge from the love graves with a startling reappearance, unlike ghosting, which is when one person abruptly ends the connection.

Reasons Behind Zombieing

Now that you know what zombieing is, you must be thinking about why this happens, why people do this, and whether there is any psychological need or just a normal, carefree feeling of taking things casually and for granted. Well, let's explore it.

Uncertainty and Confrontational Fear

The unease and dread of conflict are two of the main causes of zombieing. Whether it's boredom, unhappiness, or a change in their personal circumstances, people frequently find it difficult to express their sentiments when they decide to abruptly stop a relationship or become silent without giving a reason. They could decide to take the simpler route of ghosting out of fear of having to deal with the repercussions of their actions or possible emotional ramifications. When they do come back, though, it can be out of a desire to get back in touch without facing the unpleasantness they avoided in the first place.

Seeking Attention and Validation

Another possible reason for zombie behavior is a need for approval and attention. Some people love the sense of being wanted and thrive on other people's emotional responses. They might be trying to confirm their desirability and reignite the emotional connection by making a reappearance after a time of inactivity. This kind of behavior may be especially damaging since it manipulates the feelings of the person who was first ghosted, which can cause uncertainty and bewilderment.

Sadness and Isolation

As mentioned in an article in Minds Journal, remorse and loneliness can be strong inducements for zombie behavior. The individual who vanished can start to yearn for the relationship they previously shared or feel guilty about ending it so quickly. This sense of regret may drive them to try to re-enter the other person's life in an effort to right previous wrongs and rekindle their relationship.

Shift in Situation

Conditions may change quickly in life, and life is unpredictable. The individual who first ghosted could have gone through a big change in their life, whether it was emotional, professional, or personal. They can feel driven to get in touch and rebuild a relationship with someone from their past if these circumstances shift once more.

Insufficient Resolution

For some people, ghosting offers a little reprieve from the obligation to offer an explanation or sense of closure for their behavior. But as time went by, they could see how crucial closure is to both sides. One possible explanation for zombieing might be an attempt to address this unfulfilled chapter in their relationship and provide some sort of closure.

Nostalgia

Recalling the past in a more favorable light than it was and idealizing it are common aspects of nostalgia. When someone is nostalgic about a previous relationship, they may choose to remember only the positive aspects of it while ignoring the reasons it ended. They may try to get in touch with the individual as a result of this idealization in an attempt to relive those good emotions.

Your Way Through Zombieing

The phenomena of zombieing are intricate and emotionally sensitive, necessitating cautious handling. It takes a careful balancing act to be emotionally intelligent, self-aware, and forceful to make your way through the zombie maze. Let's guide you through the maze of zombieing so that you know how to handle zombieing:

Identifying Zombieing Patterns

DON’T LET ZOMBIE EAT YOUR BRAIN. Understanding the patterns and traits connected to this phenomenon is essential for navigating the maze of zombieing. Important signs are the sudden uptick in contact, evasive justifications for the earlier quiet, and a seeming failure to recognize the previous breakdown. Finding these patterns is the first step towards deciphering the dynamics at work and becoming ready to respond with knowledge.

Evaluate Emotional Impact

Managing zombieing requires emotional intelligence. It's critical to identify and evaluate your sentiments, taking into account any residual emotions from the past and the significance of their abrupt resurgence. Think about things like whether you're willing to get back in touch, whether the person's reappearance makes you feel bad, and whether any unsolved matters need to be addressed.

Setting limits

It's important to establish sensible limits in order to survive zombie attacks. Think about your own needs, expectations, and boundaries before reacting to the renewed communication. Speak out and let them know how the previous disappearance affected you. Setting limits is essential to avoiding emotional blackmail and guaranteeing that both sides understand the nature of the new relationship.

Open Communication

In the event of a zombie attack, open communication is essential. Seek clarity on the reasons for the unexpected return. Be honest and open up with your views and worries. Whether it means mending fences, keeping a casual acquaintance, or reestablishing trust, it's critical to express your expectations for the duration of the connection.

Self-Care

Making self-care a priority is crucial since navigating through zombieing may be emotionally exhausting. Consider your requirements and preferences carefully, then make choices that support your overall well-being. Make decisions that are important for your mental and emotional well-being first, whether that means keeping up a distant friendship, rekindling the relationship, or severing all connections.

There are Two Sides of Zombieing:

Flip a coin, and you have an equal probability of getting heads and tails. Well, zombieing is no different from flipping a coin, except now you have good information about it, but still, you should know whether you should choose heads or tails to go with it or not. To safely get you out of this dilemma, here is a pros and cons list for zombieing:

Pros:

A second chance: You never know if the person who ghosted you had a good reason or not. If their reason is good enough and genuine, then you may consider them back in your life and give a second chance to your relationship.

Clarity: Why, how, and why me only? And many such questions traumatize your mind, not letting you move on. Then you should go on this zombie date so that you can clear your head and know these things. Do it for your mental peace.

Debris of feeling: If your feelings are still hovering around that person, then go for it. Give yourself a chance to rebuild that debris into a good base again.

Cons:

Lack of closure: A clear explanation or closure is frequently lacking in zombieing, leaving the victim with unresolved questions and distraught feelings.

Trust Issues: Zombieing has the potential to destroy trust in a relationship. The person who was ghosted could find it hard to trust the person who reappears out of the blue since they are afraid of going missing again.

Emotional Rollercoaster: Being a zombie can cause emotional instability and uncertainty. A person from the past making an unexpected comeback might evoke strong emotions and send sensations hurtling through the roof.

Ignorance of limits: Zombieing might be interpreted as a sign of disrespect for one's own limits. The individual who resurfaces might not think about or recognize how their activities affect the other person's mental health.

Inconsistent Communication: When someone is zombieing, they frequently have inconsistent communication styles, which makes it difficult for the person being ghosted to comprehend the genuine motivations and emotions of the person who is doing the stalking.

Effect on Self-Esteem: Experiencing zombieing after being ghosted can have a detrimental effect on one's self-esteem. The person may start to doubt their value and desirability and wonder why they are receiving treatment like this.

Closure Delay: Zombieing may further delay the closing process. The individual who reappears may cause further bewilderment and emotional suffering rather than offering a clear explanation for the original ghosting.

Should you go on a zombie date?

Now you have all the data you need to calculate to answer this question for yourself. You know what zombie dating is, you know the reasons behind it, you know how to guide your way through it, and you also have a pros and cons list now. Compare it. See your situation, know your limitations, and then decide.

Conclusion

A distinct aspect of contemporary dating culture is zombieing, in which the internet era enables the revival of previous love relationships. People need to be self-aware and communicate clearly to avoid being lost in the zombie zone, even if there are several reasons why people behave in this way. Understanding and tackling the intricacies of zombieing may help create more honest and healthy relationships in the digital age, especially as dating practices continue to change.

Written by: Aman Preet

Edited by: Aniket Joshi