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Refinery29 – Snow-Globing: The Worst Holiday Dating Trend Ever

Dr. Danielle Forshee, Psy.D. speaking to Refinery 29 about Snow-Globing and why it’s the worst holiday dating trend ever.

Snow-globing someone sounds shitty and thoughtless. But, to be fair, most people who snow-globe aren’t doing so consciously. Usually, it’s some combination of loneliness, familial pressure, nostalgia, and convenience, says Dr. Danielle Forshee, Psy.D., a psychologist and marriage therapist.

Let’s break that down. Humans are inherently social beings. “Research has shown that when we’re socially isolated and feeling lonely, our brain responds by activating key neurotransmitters responsible for emotional well-being, motivating us to search for and re-engage in social interactions,” Dr. Danielle Forshee, Psy.D., says. In other words, when we’re feeling lonely, our brains are wired to encourage us to seek out companionship.

Damona Hoffman, a dating coach and host of The Dates & Mates Podcast offers up a slightly different biological explanation. “The seasons change and we begin to ‘hibernate’ for the winter,” Hoffman says. “We tend to want to find someone to nest with as the effort of trudging out into the snow to find someone can seem overwhelming. During COVID, however, it’s even more intense.” In other words, snow-globing can be seen as a ramped-up extension of cuffing season.

The holiday vibes turn those biological instincts up to an 11. “Excitement and nostalgia can cause us to want to have more fun, be more spontaneous, and create more positive fun memories,” Dr. Danielle Forshee, Psy.D., says. “Because of these positive feelings, some may feel more impulsive and grab onto their flame to take the ride with them.” Add in some family pressure (it’s still “y el novio?” season, after all) and maybe even an honest desire to be in a relationship with someone, and you’ve got the makings off a snow-glober.

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