Dr Manju Antil (Counselling Psychologist and Psychotherapist)

Breadcrumbing in a relationship is a manipulative behavior where one person leads the other person on with occasional flirtatious messages, attention, or interactions, but has no real intention of committing or pursuing a serious relationship. This behavior can be confusing and hurtful to the person on the receiving end, as they may be left wondering if there is a chance for a relationship, while the other person is only interested in keeping them on the back burner or as a backup option.

Breadcrumbing is often done to boost the ego or alleviate loneliness, without any regard for the other person's feelings. It can occur in online and offline relationships and may be a sign of emotional immaturity, commitment issues, or a desire for control. In any case, it is important for individuals to be aware of this behavior and to set clear boundaries to avoid being led on or manipulated.

Reason breadcrumbing in relationship 

There can be various reasons why someone might engage in breadcrumb behavior in a relationship. Here are some common reasons:

Fear of commitment: The person may have a fear of committing to a serious relationship and may use breadcrumbing as a way to keep their options open without fully investing in a relationship.

Ego boost: Breadcrumbing can be a way for some people to boost their ego or feel desired without any real intention of pursuing a relationship.

Attention-seeking: Breadcrumbing can also be a way for some people to seek attention and validation from others, without necessarily wanting to engage in a real relationship.

Control: Some people may use breadcrumbing as a way to manipulate and control the other person in the relationship, keeping them interested and emotionally invested while never fully committing.

Playing the field: In some cases, breadcrumbing may be a way for people who enjoy dating multiple people at once to keep someone on the backburner as a backup option.

It's important to note that regardless of the reason, breadcrumbing is a hurtful behavior that can damage the other person's emotional well-being. It's essential for individuals to be aware of this behavior and to set clear boundaries to avoid being led on or manipulated.

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