THE festive season is here, bringing twinkling lights, boozy parties, and, for many, the pressure to be loved up.
While singletons may rush to find someone to share the colder month with, those in new relationships might fall victim to a surprising seasonal trap called ‘boyfriend blindness’.
Love might be blind, but this particular deficit has nothing to do with appearances.
The newly coined phenomenon, which is trending on TikTok, refers to the tendency to ignore blaring red flags in a new partner during the holiday season.
According to psychiatrist Dr Sham Singh it is often fueled by a dangerous mix of societal pressures and holiday cheer.
“During this time of year, fears of loneliness or societal judgment combine with the dopamine-driven highs of holiday festivities, which can temporarily mask relationship issues,” the expert from WINIT Clinic tells Condoms.uk
For many, the holiday season creates the perfect storm of romanticised expectations, which can leave some people at risk of falling into or staying in a relationship with the wrong person.
From enduring endless reruns of romantic holiday films like Love Actually, to facing relentless pressure from rarely-seen older relatives to settle down, the festive season can push people to overlook the flaws in a less-than-ideal partner just to avoid spending it alone.
Dr Sham explains that this inability to see issues in their relationship stems from something called confirmation bias.
“Individuals focus on their partner’s positive traits while ignoring warning signs that don’t fit their idealised view of the relationship,” he says.
“The festive season amplifies this by emphasising shared experiences and public displays of togetherness.”
Our brains are wired for connection and comfort, especially during emotional times, like Christmas.
“The heightened emotional state of the holidays can cause the need for connection to override critical thinking or self-preserving instincts,” Dr Sham adds.
But while the idea of being single over the holidays might feel daunting, it can actually be the perfect time to focus on yourself, the expert explains.
“Spending the holidays single often leads to healthier relationships and better self-esteem later in life,” he says.
STOP worrying about being single – it could actually help you live longer.
You’ve probably lost track of the amount of times someone has asked “so when are you going to settle down?” or “I can’t understand why a lovely girl like you is still single”.
There seems to be no end to the fairly personal reminders that you aren’t in a relationship.
But then, why should you be if you are happy doing your own thing?
And it turns out there are several health benefits to being single so if you are enjoying it, embrace it.
From having a lower BMI to getting more sleep, read our story here on all the surprising good points to being alone.
