"Future Faking": The Deceptive Relationship Trend You Need to Spot

• Future faking is a deceptive relationship pattern where partners make unrealistic long-term promises (marriage, moving in) without intent to fulfill them.
• It differs from occasional broken promises by its repetitive nature, often used to keep someone invested without full commitment.
• Signs include enthusiastic talk about future events without follow-through, vague promises, avoiding concrete planning, and making large promises disproportionate to the relationship's stage.
• Psychology behind it ranges from genuine excitement lacking follow-through to deliberate manipulation, sometimes using conditional promises to escape obligation.
• Protect yourself by setting boundaries, focusing on actions over words, taking time, maintaining independence, seeking outside perspectives, trusting instincts, and being ready to walk away.

Why It Matters: Recognize future faking by actions, not just words, to protect your emotional well-being.