Love bombing: what it is and how to spot it

When someone overwhelms you with excessive affection, compliments, and promises right from the start, it can be hard to know what’s genuine and what’s manipulation, and this is called Love bombing. It is a tactic often used by people with narcissistic tendencies, designed to make you feel special in order to control your emotions and behavior. This intense focus on you may seem flattering at first, but it can quickly shift into an unhealthy power dynamic, leaving you questioning your self-worth. In this article, we’ll help you recognize the signs of love bombing so you can protect yourself from falling into this emotionally exhausting cycle.

At Macbeth Matchmaking, we’re committed to helping you build meaningful, healthy relationships that are grounded in mutual respect and genuine affection. As a trusted Matchmaking Agency, we understand how important it is to not only find someone compatible but also to avoid unhealthy relationship patterns like love bombing. Our personalized approach ensures that every connection we make is built on trust, helping you find a relationship that brings out the best in both partners.

What is love bombing?

It is well known that love is one of the most powerful feelings and emotions that human beings can experience. It is surrounded by many trendy terms, such as ghosting and love bombing, a phenomenon where the other person overwhelms you with attention, affection, compliments and even gifts in a short period of time. Is it explosive love or a manipulative tactic? We explain it in this post.

Are you a victim of love bombing?

The love bombing strategy is usually used to control another person. A love bomber will likely shower you with excessive displays of affection in order to hook you emotionally. Below, we explain the signs of love bombing.

5 signs of love bombing

1. Excessive messages and attention: If you notice that the other person is sending you too many messages, at all hours, and even calling you several times a day, it could be a sign of love bombing.
2. Rapid progress in the relationship: When things move too fast in a new relationship, you should be careful. It’s okay to want to move fast, but you have to think with your head. As they say, what comes quickly, goes quickly, so keep your eyes peeled.
3. Exaggerated gifts: Obviously, we love receiving gifts, but perhaps very expensive gifts or surprises for no reason could be indicative of love bombing. With these gestures, the love bomber seeks to ensure that you feel emotionally indebted.
4. Constant idealisation: A love bomber will put you on a pedestal, make no mistake, as if you were a god of Olympus. This may be flattering at first, but as the relationship progresses, you will see that this admiration – which is a little excessive – will disappear and be replaced with criticism and nasty comments.
5. I feel like everything is fine, but…: People who practise love bombing tend to create a relationship that seems perfect, but behind that façade, their behaviour becomes controlling and possessive.
6. Suddenly, you don’t hear anything from the other person: if he stops writing to you, it could be a clear sign that love bombing has begun.

Why does love bombing happen?

Love bombing is usually a technique used by people who are narcissistic, self-centred, and manipulative in order to create emotional dependence in the other person. Love bombers seek to control the other person, making them feel unique and special, only to create illusions that are later followed by disappointment, pain, and distancing.

Knowing the meaning of love bombing is key to understanding how this pattern of behaviour is used in toxic relationships.

Why does love bombing occur?

Love bombing is usually a technique used by people who are narcissistic, self-centred, and manipulative in order to create emotional dependence in the other person. Love bombers seek to control the other person, making them feel unique and special, only to create false hope and then cause disappointment, pain, and distancing.

Understanding the meaning of love bombing is key to understanding how this pattern of behaviour is used in toxic relationships.

How to stop love bombing

• Set clear boundaries: You have to do this. It is essential to communicate your boundaries to your partner and be firm if they are crossed. You should not be afraid to speak your mind or say no to gestures that you find excessive or emotional pressure that the other person exerts on you.
• Take a break: Calm down, reflect. You need to take time to reflect on your relationship. If things are moving too fast or if the other person is paying too much attention to you, you can step back a little to look at it from another perspective and reflect on what you want.
• Seek support: Very important. Lean on friends, family, and your trusted circle. Take advice, listen to those who love you, and find out what their view of the relationship is, as sometimes it is difficult to identify toxic patterns and we do not see them.
• Consult a professional: If you cannot stop the love bombing yourself, it is a good idea to talk to a therapist or counsellor who can help you establish strategies to protect yourself emotionally.

How can you avoid falling into the cycle of love bombing?

As you can see, love bombing is a harmful pattern, and although it may seem like a genuine display of affection and love at first, what it really hides is a 100% manipulative tactic aimed at controlling you emotionally. If you are aware of and have identified any signs of love bombing in your partner, you need to take action and set your boundaries, or pluck up the courage to decide whether you want to continue with that person or not.

At Macbeth Matchmaking – Introduction Agency, we can help you find a partner, a completely genuine and sincere connection, tailored to your needs.