- Many singletons have commented their bad experiences of men online
- READ MORE: Why young men are afraid to date women their own age, according to a sex therapist
The dating scene for millennial singletons can be rough and the societal pressure to get married and settle down before a certain age certainly doesn't help.
Many have tried the apps, getting set up with friends of friends or - if they're really brave - striking up a conversation in person.
However, they all have one thing in common; they end up getting ghosted by men in their late twenties and thirties for no apparent reason.
And it seems to be an overnight phenomenon.
Women report being told that they are 'wife material' and even being invited to meet their parents right before getting radio silence from a man who seemed committed.
Last month, TikToker Jillian Lavin, from Austin, posted a clip on TikTok about how she upended her life to move from LA to Texas so her long-term boyfriend could be closer to his father.
Jillian said she gave up 'half of her career', took months off work and 'depleted' half of her savings because he was 'the love of her life' and said he wanted a future with her.
But after a family holiday, her partner came back and handed her a note, saying that they had 'nothing in common' and that they were 'incompatible' - despite dating for three-and-a-half years.
Jenny said she was giving up dating because she got ghosted by someone she met on Bumble, an online dating site
The situation left Jillian moving back to her mother's house in Florida.
There are countless online accounts, in which women admit to feeling blindsided by the rejection.
One revealed: 'I was invited to dinner and he told me to wear my best dress just to get told he wasn't ready for a relationship in the middle of appetisers.'
Another said: 'My ex took me to my father's grave and said 'I will take care of her now' exactly one week before dumping me lollll.'
Elsewhere, a third got a text saying: 'I swear I'm not ghosting you, just really busy' - only to see the man post his wedding photos one year later.
One woman recounted how she once 'went to the bathroom and closed the door', but a man jokingly opened it and quipped "we've gotta get used to this for when we are married!"'
'And then he walked outside to smoke and I never saw him again,' she concluded.
Marie Morice, a clinical sexologist and sex coach, told FEMAIL that ghosting is deemed to be the easy route to 'escape' a relationship.
Many singletons have made videos and posts sharing their stories of being ghosted by people they're dating
Content creator Jillian Lavin, who posts under @spritelynotthesoda, shared a catchy tune in a TikTok video which told the story of her three-year-long relationship breaking down
Frustrated singletons have commented their experiences with being ghosted online, in TikTok comments
But in the age of growing social media, she said men are also faced with many other temptations that can lead them astray.
She said: 'Many millennial men may struggle with having difficult conversations, particularly if they're not emotionally invested or fear hurting someone. Ghosting might feel like a 'cleaner' break.
'With dating apps and social media, there's often an underlying notion that other options are readily available, which can make it easier to move on without explanation, especially when expectations in the relationship are growing.
'For some millennial men, there's a fear of "settling" when they know there might be more options out there.'
Elsewhere, TikToker Jenny, from the UK, said she was giving up dating because she got ghosted by someone she met on Bumble, an online dating site.
She said the evening after they met up, he was speaking to her about all the other dates they were going to go on and said he wished he could've stayed longer. However, she has been ignored ever since.
Jenny said prior to the experience, she had spent eight months celibate and working on herself and that this negative experience has put her off dating indefinitely.
British influencer Nikky also made a clip about ghosting and said that it 'leaves you wondering if there is something wrong with you'.
Nikky also made a clip about ghosting and said that it 'leaves you wondering if there is something wrong with you'
Another London-based creator @verylightjets wrote in a post: 'Right before he ghosts me and never sees me again,' before playing a song about a guy shooting his shot.
Meanwhile, sharing her story, Australian Lisa Griffin said she met a guy and they went on several dates, adding that they would 'speak all the time'. He then had to leave the country to renew his visa.
But she was then ghosted by her 'situationship' - despite them speaking everyday before that.
Tina Wilson, Relationship Expert and Wingman Founder, said that some millennial men ghost to spare the other person's feelings - even if it can lead to them feeling frustrated and confused.
She said: 'It all comes down to when each generation was introduced to the digital world. Millennial men might be more likely to ghost daters because of the digital and social environment they grew up in, which combined social media and the start of instant communication, such as, texting.
'Not forgetting, many millennial men face more pressure around their careers, which can make them more likely to be seen as flaky and they will avoid uncomfortable conversations at all costs. So, in social or romantic situations, they may be more likely to ghost someone than other generations.'
She added: 'Remember, anyone wanting to meet your parents to then ghost you aren't men and they need to grow up.'
Marie - who wrote the book Man Hunting in Manhattan based on her own experiences - believes that ghosting is generational and used frequently with Gen Z and millennials as they grew up with social media.
She said: 'Millennials often face unique pressures, like economic instability and a focus on self-care and mental health, which may contribute to a 'me first' attitude that affects dating behaviours.'
Australian Lisa Griffin said she met a guy and they went on several dates, adding that they would 'speak all the time' before she got ghosted
Marie, who is based in London, said men who express serious intentions like meeting the parents or joking about marriage do so because of 'a mix of enthusiasm, fear of vulnerability, and social validation'.
She added: 'In the excitement of a new connection, they may genuinely feel a spark and want to create a quick, deep bond, leading them to say things they might not fully mean.
'However, once the initial thrill fades, they might realise they're not ready for commitment, opting to ghost rather than confront these feelings.'
Marie added that some men will use these serious statements to 'test the waters' without fully committing, or to gain admiration and validation without the intent to follow through.
'In some cases, they employ 'future faking' tactics - making grand promises to keep someone interested - then ghost when they feel they've achieved that effect,' she said.
Marie said that the emotional fallout from ghosting can be 'quite severe', with many people reportedly feeling confused, having self-doubt and taking a blow to their self-esteem.
'The lack of closure can lead to overthinking and even difficulty trusting future partners. For those who are especially vulnerable or have experienced similar patterns in past relationships, ghosting can deepen existing insecurities and prolong healing,' she added.
Danny Zane, Integrative Therapist and Counsellor at North London Therapy, said that victims of ghosting may struggle with trust issues or fear of vulnerability in future connections.
He added: 'Some will eventually move on and learn from the experience, others will find it challenging to get back out there without feeling apprehensive or guarded.'
Expert Tina said that this generation of men are 'experienced' daters but research suggests that they have a 'fear of commitment' and are in 'no rush' to settle down.
She said: '[They] experience an inner conflict between achieving their professional goals / self-development before thinking of meeting 'the one' and settling down.'
Tina said every person will have a different way of dealing with the prospect of getting ghosted.
But she urged people to refrain from posting about it on social media, and instead speak to a trusted friend who can give valuable advice.
