'Floodlighting' during dates can be a huge turn off. Here's why
USA Today • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Floodlighting is a dating trend where someone shares excessive personal or traumatic information too early, creating a false sense of intimacy with a partner.
- The term was coined by Brené Brown and is often driven by fear of rejection or a desire for validation, as explained by dating coach Amy Chan.
- Relationship therapist Philip Lewis notes that floodlighting can stem from unmet emotional needs in childhood and is usually counterproductive, pushing dates away rather than fostering connection.
- If you encounter floodlighting, experts advise gently steering the conversation to lighter topics without matching the emotional intensity or playing therapist.
- For those prone to oversharing, it’s recommended to pause and reflect on the motivation behind sharing and to create space for mutual exchange to build intimacy gradually.
