With the arrival of winter, many singles are looking for a little comfort and human warmth which they generally find via dating applications. This time of year, nicknamed “cuffing season”, encourages us to create sometimes ephemeral relationships to face the cold and loneliness. This also gives rise to new toxic behaviors, including one that is particularly specific to the end-of-year holiday season. The term “sledging” appeared recently to refer to behaviors that involve maintaining a relationship during the holidays while secretly planning a breakup at the end of winter.
What is sledging?
As reported ELLEthe term “sledging”, highlighted by a study of the happn application, refers to a practice where some people choose to stay in a relationship during the winter for practical or emotional reasons, knowing that they will break up after the holidays . This trend, revealed by a survey of Generation Z, shows that 15% of young people questioned have already used this strategy. Motivations vary: avoiding loneliness, escaping embarrassing questions from loved ones during family meals, etc.
The motivations of “sledging” enthusiasts reflect human needs exacerbated by winter and the holidays. According to the study, 60% of practitioners are looking for sex, 50% are looking to satisfy their need for affection and 40% want to avoid loneliness. For some, it is also a temporary solution to avoid family judgment during festive gatherings. Although these reasons may seem understandable, they nevertheless reflect emotional manipulation which can leave deep scars in the person deceived.
How to avoid being a victim of sledging?
This behavior, described as toxic by experts, can have long-term effects on victims. Discovering a premeditated plan to break up often leads to feelings of betrayal, insecurity and distrust in future relationships. For the authors of this stratagem, the risk is also to trivialize emotional manipulation and to establish unhealthy relational patterns. The holiday season, although synonymous with joy and sharing, then becomes the scene of emotional wounds.
To avoid falling victim to this trend, Claire Renierdating expert, recommends observing certain signals: a lack of interest in long-term projects or behavior focused solely on physical affection. The key is honest and open communication, which helps clarify everyone’s intentions. “Are they only talking about short-term plans for Christmas, rather than seeing each other beyond that, or are they not showing as much interest, but just want to have sex and physical affection?”she questions. And to continue: “Open and honest conversations about where the relationship is going and whether it will end is important to avoid falling victim to sledging.”. A sincere dialogue is essential, both for those considering a breakup and for those who fear being the target of one.
