What Is Love Bombing?
Love bombing is a manipulation tactic where someone showers you with excessive attention, affection, gifts, and declarations of love very early in a relationship. It feels like a fairy tale at first — they're texting you constantly, calling you their soulmate after two dates, planning your future together before you've met their friends.
The problem? It's not genuine affection — it's a strategy. Love bombers use overwhelming attention to fast-track emotional attachment, making it harder for you to leave when the mask eventually drops.
Where Did Love Bombing Come From?
The term originated in psychology and was initially used to describe recruitment tactics by cults — new members would be "love bombed" with attention to create rapid loyalty. It was later applied to romantic relationships, particularly in discussions about narcissistic abuse patterns.
The internet — especially TikTok's therapy and dating corners — brought love bombing into mainstream vocabulary around 2020-2022. Therapists and dating coaches made content explaining the signs, and suddenly everyone was reassessing their early relationship experiences.
How to Spot Love Bombing
- Too much too soon: Saying "I love you" within the first week or two.
- Constant contact: Getting upset if you don't respond immediately.
- Grand gestures: Expensive gifts or elaborate plans very early on.
- Future faking: Planning vacations, meeting family, or moving in together before you've established a real foundation.
- Isolation: Wanting ALL your time and getting jealous of friends/family.
Examples in the Wild
"he said I was 'the one' on our second date and bought me a necklace. I thought it was romantic. it was love bombing. 🚩"
"the difference between love bombing and genuine enthusiasm: love bombers get angry when you set boundaries"
Why It Matters
Love bombing awareness is genuinely important because it can be the first stage of an emotionally abusive relationship. The cycle typically goes: love bombing → devaluation → discard. Understanding this pattern helps people identify manipulation early and protect themselves. Healthy love builds gradually. If it feels too perfect too fast, trust that instinct.