Everyone’s talking about pocketing, but what is it? You may have been pocketed without even knowing it! Pocketing is a somewhat new term to describe someone who tries to hide their romantic relationship. This can be anywhere from not posting their partner on social media to not introducing their partner to their friends and family. There could be many reasons why a person is pocketing their partner, some good and some not so good.
Signs you’re being pocketed
You may be in a new relationship with someone you met on a dating app, or even in a fairly long relationship, and still wonder if you’re being pocketed. There are many different ways people pocket their partners. They may be active on social media but never post a picture of you, or even comment on your posts. They might also avoid taking you out to places close to home,in fear of seeing someone they know, or introducing you to their friends and family. Just because they’re dm-ing you on instagram, doesn’t mean you’re not being pocketed!
Is pocketing a new trend?
With the rise of faster hook-ups happening because of swipe-until-you-like apps you probably assume that pocketing is a new phenomenon. But it’s not and it’s catching up to apps like Tinder, Badoo, or MeetNFuck.
Pocketing is as old as time! Before social media was around, people would pocket by dating someone who lives in a different area or lying about being single and never introducing you to their family. People haven’t changed, but the way they pocket has.
Why do people pocket?
People pocket for a multitude of reasons. They could be pocketing out of insecurity or fear from past relationships that failed. If a person has bad past relationships, they may pocket to keep themselves from getting hurt again. It could also be because they’re in another relationship, or are hiding you to avoid judgment from family or friends. Pocketing could mean the end of your relationship, or a way to get a deeper understanding of your partner.
Pocketing doesn’t signal the end of your relationship
You may be relating to this article and wondering if this means the death of your relationship. It doesn’t have to be! There are some reasons that people pocket that don’t end in heartbreak. Some people may employ pocketing tactics because they’re very private people. They might feel it is invasive to post about their private dating moments, like pictures of romantic dates, or long mushy posts on anniversaries and special occasions. Your partner might feel it is too personal to post online, and would like to keep those moments between just the two of you.
If you don’t understand why your partner is pocketing you, then communicate with them. Ask them why they’re doing it, and how it makes you feel. Tell them you don’t like being hidden and would like to be open with your relationship. Set a time frame on when they plan on introducing you to their loved ones, or when they plan on posting you on social media. If they’re still hiding you after an honest talk, dating apps still exist!
A pocketed relationship might not be for every person out there. Instead many are still going with the ‘old school’ method of apps like Tinder or FuckFinder to make a hook up. Ending a toxic relationship shouldn’t prevent you from looking for new, healthy relationships.
