For many, winter is a magical season filled with festive lights, celebrations, and a desire to cosy up with someone special. This seasonal longing often sparks a search for companionship, giving rise to various dating trends. While some lead to lasting love, others are fleeting and potentially hurtful. One such viral phenomenon, gaining traction during the colder months, is 'snowmanning,' and relationship experts are now sounding the alarm.
What Exactly Is 'Snowmanning'?
'Snowmanning' is a winter-specific dating trend where individuals rush into a relationship for warmth and companionship during the cold months, only to end it abruptly when spring arrives. The attachment, much like a snowman, simply melts away with the changing season. It's described as a blend of love-bombing—showering someone with intense affection early on—and ghosting, where one person disappears without explanation.
Devyn Simone, Tinder's resident relationship expert, coined the term, noting it comes with a 'seasonal expiration date.' This pattern was also identified by Rachel Lloyd, a relationship expert at eharmony, who spoke to The Mirror back in 2019. "Our research shows that lots of people then retreat from their new relationships, a trend we are coining 'snowmanning,'" Lloyd explained. She advised those seeking meaningful connections to assess compatibility before diving into a seasonal fling to avoid getting hurt.
Why Is This Trend Problematic?
The pressure to pair up in winter, often called 'cuffing season,' is very real. Tinder data reveals that conversations were 18 per cent longer during last year's cuffing season compared to spring. As nights grow longer and colder, and questions about bringing a plus-one to holiday gatherings loom, the urge to find someone quickly intensifies.
Simone's primary advice is not to sweat it if a relationship fades by February—it likely wasn't meant to be. However, she urges singles to pause and self-reflect before getting swept away. "What do you actually want from a new connection?" she questions. Data supports this need for clarity: Tinder's Year in Swipe report indicated that 56 per cent of singles desire honest conversations, and 60 per cent want clearer communication around intentions. Being upfront from the start helps set the right tone and prevents mismatched expectations.
How To Recover If You've Been 'Snowmanned'
If you've been left behind just as the weather warms up, it's crucial to understand that the issue lies with the other person's readiness, not your worth. "When someone goes all in fast and exits just as quickly, that behaviour says much more about their readiness for a relationship than your worth," Simone assures. She suggests viewing the exit as a gift, freeing you from someone who wasn't truly invested.
You are not alone in this experience. 31 per cent of singles say past relationships have helped them understand what they really want next. Instead of focusing on finding a temporary partner for a season, the healthier approach is to wait for someone who will hold your hand through all seasons of life.
