Just when you thought you were getting the hang of what ghosting was, or even the whole stalking thing, along comes another new term: orbiting. It seems like navigating relationships has become even trickier since social media stepped into the scene. New terms and behaviors keep popping up, ones we never had to deal with in the past!

But let’s face it, social media is now part and parcel of our everyday lives. It’s changed the game in how we connect and meet new people. 

Back in the day, if you lost interest in someone you’d been getting to know, you’d simply tell them or stop seeing them. But now, thanks to social media, that connection can linger on. 

That’s why in this post, we’re going to break down what orbiting is, how to spot the signs, and what to do about it. Keep reading!

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What is orbiting?

Orbiting happens when a connection between two individuals concludes. There’s no more explicit interaction, you stop seeing each other and talking, but interactions continue through social media. This might include checking Instagram stories, liking posts, sharing your content in their stories or with their friends, and commenting on your posts, all without initiating a conversation with you.

In essence, orbiting is a type of ghosting through social media. It looks identical to ghosting in practice, but what sets it apart is that despite cutting off direct communication, there’s still engagement through online platforms. In other words, it’s when someone ghosts you and then suddenly reappears through Instagram interactions!

Signals to identify orbiting

The cessation of communication can be either sudden or gradual, and it can be permanent or relative to a specific period of time (such as during vacations). There are various motivations that might lead someone to practice orbiting, among them being an easy way to cut off communication without putting in much effort.

Some of the key signs that can help us identify orbiting could include:

• Decreased in-person meetups.

• Increased communication through social media, such as messaging instead of direct communication.

• The other person remains distant, offering no feedback, but still engages with your posts by liking them.

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How to deal with orbiting

Generally, orbiting is characterized by different stages.

Reflexive

This stage occurs immediately after detection, resulting in a quick response characterized by social pain, a reassessment of basic psychological needs, and negative emotions.

Reflective

This second stage occurs after individuals have had time to reflect on the situation and integrate it into their experience. In this state, people begin to recover from the initial response.

Resignation

Characterized by feelings of resignation and, in some cases, depression.

Therefore, after experiencing orbiting behaviors, and during and/or after these stages, reactions characterized by:

• Surprise and confusion.

• Anger, sadness, and guilt.

• Attempts to repair the relationship.

• Acceptance.

In dealing with orbiting, it’s important to acknowledge and navigate through these stages and reactions, allowing oneself to process emotions and decide how to move forward, whether it’s attempting to reconnect or accepting the situation and moving on.

What to do if you’re being orbited

Strong beliefs in fate by victims of orbiting can act as a protective factor in accepting the communication cutoff and social media interaction, attributing the situation to the will of destiny.

If we experience orbiting, it’s important to take action. Firstly, prioritize self-care to integrate the experience into our life story in a healthy way, minimizing its negative impact and potentially emerging “stronger” from the ordeal.

Additionally, if it feels beneficial, communicate to the other person how their actions make you feel. If their social media interactions cause significant discomfort, consider unfollowing or blocking them to prevent further negative emotions and distress!

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How to prevent orbiting

To avoid future situations of orbiting in relationships, we can establish clear communication as a condition within the relationship, stating that if either party wishes to end it for any reason, they should communicate this to the other person and discuss it openly.

Often, discomfort arises due to a lack of communication from the beginning. That’s why it’s crucial to express our expectations and boundaries when initiating relationships. By setting clear communication standards from the outset, we can help prevent misunderstandings and minimize the likelihood of orbiting occurring in the future.