Too many options in the dating cookie jar.
One of the many things that makes dating so difficult these days is that people oftentimes don’t want to commit.
With the help of dating apps, even after meeting someone they’re interested in, single people continue swiping to see their other options.
Unfortunately, there’s a name for that toxic trend: “cooking jarring,” as explained by Forbes.
Cooking jarring is when someone keeps a potential suitor in their back pocket as a safety net while exploring other dating potentials, but never really committing — in other words, you’re just one of many cookies in a big dating cookie jar.
Instead of accepting the bare minimum from someone, be on the lookout for some of these telltale signs that indicate you’re being treated like a treat — just not a sweet one.
If the person you’re dating rarely commits to plans and won’t discuss where your relationship is headed, you’re most likely one of many options for this person.
Another sign to be on the lookout for is if things feel very one-sided between you and your beau. If you’re often the one reaching out and putting in most of the effort — you better run for the hills.
Extended response times when texting and never feeling like a priority likely mean that the person you’re seeing is pursuing other lovers.
While you’re evaluating your relationship for cookie crumbs, you should also pay attention to whether or not your boo brings you around their friends and family or if they ever post you on social media.
If your answer to the above scenarios is no — your significant other is most likely pocketing you.
“While pocketing can be frustrating and hurt the trust in a relationship, there are plenty of reasons why someone is pocketing,” Amanda E. White, LPC, told Women’s Health in an interview.
“It could be out of fear, it could be because of past relationships that didn’t work out. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re not into you or that the relationship has no hope.”
However, “Dr. Chloe” Carmichael told the outlet that in some cases, people choose to pocket someone they’re dating because they genuinely like them and aren’t sure how best to handle their feelings.
“…sometimes people really just want to tread lightly while a relationship is in a new or delicate stage,” Carmichael explained.
