Alright, we get it – there are about a thousand dating terms out there, each trying to capture the messy, complicated world of love and relationships. Well, brace yourselves because it’s time to add another one to your dating dictionary: Kittenfishing.
With all these new terms, it can feel impossible to keep up and actually figure out what’s going on in your love life. But don’t stress; we’re here to break down what Kittenfishing is and how you can spot it early on – before it catches you off guard.
So, take notes! Because while this trend may sound cute and harmless, it’s way more common than you might think.
What is Kittenfishing? The New Dating Trend That Manipulates You Without You Noticing
Okay, the term “Kittenfishing” might not sound super scary, but hold tight, because if there’s one thing you need to know in the dating world, it’s how to spot this trend before you’re in too deep.
According to psychologist Bruce Y. Lee, Kittenfishing is when someone “pretty up” their personality or creates a version of themselves that’s, well, a little too good to be true – all to seem more attractive to others.
People who engage in Kittenfishing usually post heavily edited photos or share pics from, like, five years ago to look younger. They might even casually drop details about their life that aren’t exactly real to seem more interesting or desirable.
Naturally, when we see these idealized images and stories on social media, we build up a picture of what the person will be like IRL. But reality hits hard when you actually meet them and realize that they’re… nothing like what you expected.
Read also: Why If You Follow Relationship Advice You Only Perpetuate Sexism
Wait – Am I Guilty of Kittenfishing?
If you’re already wondering if this might be you, ask yourself this: Do you post pics on social media that barely resemble you? Do you spend a little too much time editing your selfies? Or do you maybe embellish some details of your life to seem more interesting? If you said “yes,” you might just be Kittenfishing.
Here’s the thing: Kittenfishing might start off as harmless fun – but according to Lee, it’s easy to become addicted to this version of yourself that doesn’t actually exist. Once you start “enhancing” your online persona, it’s hard to stop.
Kittenfishing can actually ruin what dating is supposed to be about: getting to know someone for real. When you’re building a relationship based on things that aren’t true, you’re setting it up to fall apart.
How to Spot Kittenfishing in Your Own Dating Life
First off, remember that you can’t always take what you see on social media at face value. Most people only post the highlights, not the everyday struggles that make them real.
Second, try to look beyond appearances and focus on the person’s personality, values, and how they treat others. Building expectations based on what’s beneath the surface will lead to way fewer letdowns.
And most importantly, watch out for people who constantly crave attention. These are often the ones who feel the need to embellish or exaggerate just to stay in the spotlight.
So, next time you’re swiping or scrolling, keep an eye out for Kittenfishing – and remember, it’s totally okay to just be yourself.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Nayely Aguilera in Cultura Colectiva.
