As the calendar turns from 2025 to 2026, the landscape of modern relationships continues to evolve with a fresh set of terms and behaviours. The past year introduced a fascinating mix of hopeful, practical, and unfortunately, toxic trends that are likely to influence how people connect in the coming year. From seeking mysterious partners to guarding against emotional withdrawal, here’s a deep dive into the seven dating trends that made headlines in 2025.
The Positive Shifts: Intentionality and Subtlety
Amidst the chaos of modern dating, some 2025 trends pointed towards a desire for more substance and stability. A significant move away from casual connections was seen in the trend of future-proofing. This approach involves entering the dating scene with a clear intention for a long-term, serious relationship. Partners engage in honest conversations about their expectations and goals right from the start, ensuring both are aligned. This clarity often leads to relationships becoming official much sooner.
Complementing this search for stability is the rise of the micro-mance. Moving beyond grand, one-off romantic gestures, couples, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, are focusing on small, consistent, and meaningful acts of love. This trend emphasises that sustained affection through daily, thoughtful actions is more valuable than sporadic, loud declarations of love. It’s about keeping the connection alive through attentive, minor details.
The New Archetypes: Swag Gaps and Mysterious Partners
2025 also gave us new ways to describe partner dynamics and preferences. The term Swag Gap went viral, describing a pairing where one person is noticeably more stylish and groomed than the other. While it may sound superficial, observers noted that this dynamic is common in many high-profile and traditional couples, suggesting it’s a long-standing, if newly named, phenomenon.
Perhaps the most intriguing persona to emerge was the Black Cat Boyfriend. This refers to a specific type of desirable partner: the mysterious, introverted, and slightly emo individual who avoids clichéd romantic gestures. Instead, he captivates with a slow-burning loyalty, sharp wit, and an intriguing aura. Popular culture references for this archetype include characters like Conrad Fisher from 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' or Damon Salvatore from 'The Vampire Diaries'.
The Toxic Traits: Ghosting Evolves and Emotional Withdrawal
Unfortunately, 2025 also saw the rise of more insidious dating behaviours. Topping the list of worst trends was ghostlighting, a toxic blend of ghosting and gaslighting. Here, a person disappears without explanation, only to reappear later acting as if nothing happened, often making the other party doubt their own memory and sanity. This behaviour leaves individuals feeling confused, anxious, and worthless.
Even more emotionally draining than ghosting is the trend of banksying, named after the elusive street artist. This occurs when a partner slowly and quietly withdraws emotional investment without a formal breakup. There are no major fights, just a gradual distancing that leaves the other person constantly questioning the state of the relationship and their own perceptions, often considered more painful than a clean cut.
Another problematic trend labelled in 2025 is Shrekking. Inspired by the animated film 'Shrek', this refers to the act of deliberately dating someone perceived as less attractive. The underlying, and often flawed, assumption is that the less conventionally attractive partner will be more loyal, grateful, and kind. This trend highlights superficial and manipulative approaches to partnership.
As we step into 2026, these trends from 2025—both the empowering and the damaging—provide a crucial lens through which to understand the continuing evolution of love, connection, and heartbreak in the digital age. They underscore a collective yearning for authenticity while warning against the new forms of emotional gamesmanship that technology and changing social norms enable.
