Ex texting throughout the holidays? You may be ‘Marleyed’

Ebenezer Scrooge is not the one particular person to be visited by ghosts of Christmas previous throughout the holidays. It seems that one in ten of us discover ourselves being chased by former flames this vacation season – a relationship pattern generally referred to as ‘Marleying’.

Named after Jacob Marley, the ghost of Scrooge’s former enterprise associate in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas carolMarleying is principally when an ex will get again in contact at Christmas after a protracted interval of no contact.

Researchers from relationship web site eharmony coined the time period after surveying greater than 4,000 British adults to seek out out if that they had skilled the pattern. The analysis confirmed that 11 % of singles have been Marleyed, whereas 8 % admit to having had contact with an ex. In accordance with the findings, Christmas Eve is the date we’re more than likely to obtain a textual content from an ex.

Curiously, London and Wales proved to be the highest places for Marleying in Britain.

Get away from the cellphone.
Credit score: Getty Pictures/Tetra photos RF

So why do ghosts from long-dead relationships select to reappear at Christmas? The researchers say individuals returning to their hometowns throughout the vacation season is a significant driver behind this pattern, because it gives the chance and proximity to reconnect with outdated flames.

Loneliness is one more reason behind this pattern. Current analysis from eharmony and relationship counseling charity Relate discovered that 10 % of single individuals dread the Christmas interval, with many feeling ‘upset and careworn’ presently of yr.

“Simply since you’re residence and visiting your outdated haunts would not essentially imply you are feeling compelled to pursue a former associate,” says Rachael Lloyd of eharmony. “Whereas some individuals take pleasure in reconnecting with an ex over Christmas, it is necessary to ensure you’re each on the identical web page to keep away from any confusion or harm.”

Within the phrases of Kylo Ren: let the previous die. Kill it if you need to.

This text was first printed in 2017 and republished in 2023.