You have probably found yourself scrolling on TikTok more often than you want to admit. It’s important to remember to take social media breaks, remember moderation is key in all aspects of life. It’s important to maintain a healthy balance with social media usage and not allow online interactions to substitute face-to-face ones entirely.
THE LINGO OF LOVE
From “ghosting” to “situationships” and “love bombing,” today’s relationship slang sounds more like a cryptic code than modern romance. While these terms help us define the chaos of dating, they can also leave your mental health in a tailspin.
Read on and we will decode the jargon to help you better navigate love in the age of TikTok trends.
Terms-
Love Bombing: over-the-top declarations of love, usually at the beginning of a relationship. This behavior could be a sign of manipulation, control, and is a form of emotional abuse.
Beige Flag: Like a reg (bad) or green (good) flag but is inherently neutral; an interesting or observable behavior.
Gaslighting: A manipulation tactic that makes a person question their own perception of reality.
Ghosting: An abrupt stop of communication without warning.
Pick-Me: A pick-me is a person who only cares about being seen as desirable to a person that they’re attracted to.
Narcissist: Widely used term to describe people who are self-obsessed. Narcissism exists on a spectrum, and it’s estimated that people with narcissistic personality disorder are about 1% of the population. A high level of narcissism encompasses a deep need to be admired, to receive special treatment, high status, and a general lack of empathy.
Rizz: Think charisma- attractive and charming, able to capture the attention of others.
Situationship: An undefined relationship somewhere between friendship and a committed relationship. Usually, boundaries are unclear, and intentions are not communicated, which can leave people in situationships feeling confused.
Golden Retriever: Usually “golden retriever boyfriend”, and describes a partner who is loyal, affectionate, easygoing, supportive, and likes to go on walks (ok, that last one is a joke). This is generally seen as a compliment.
Trad wife: Short for “traditional wife”, which means a person who believes in and practices traditional gender roles within a partnership, like submitting to her husband’s authority and prioritizing domestic responsibilities. This is different than a stay-at-home mom (SAHM), but often trad wives are SAHMs.
So, whether you’re dodging “red flags” or untangling yourself from a “situationship,” remember that your mental health should always come first. Trends may change, but healthy communication and self-respect never go out of style—no matter what the internet says.
WELLBEING MENTAL HEALTH STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD
Become part of a group of students who help improve WVU’s mental health and wellness resources.
The advisory board was created by WVU’s Student Government Association and aims to streamline communication between students and administration, to better represent students wants and needs.
Visit our advisory board webpage to learn more and apply to the board. Applications are due by April 15, 2025.
WIN A CARRUTH WELLNESS PACKAGE
Follow us on Instagram (@WVUCarruth) and comment on our latest #TherapyskillThursday post with #CarruthNewsletter to be entered to win.
Make sure to keep an eye on our Instagram account all year for tips and resources on how to manage your mental health and wellness, outreach events we’re hosting, and more!