Hey there, friends! So, have you heard about this new dating trend called ‘Shrekking’? 🐸 Yes, you read that right! It’s not just about our favorite green ogre; it’s actually a term that’s making waves in the dating world. You know how sometimes you think you’re doing someone a favor by giving them a chance, only to find out they’re not what you expected? Well, that’s the essence of Shrekking. Let’s dive into this and see if you’ve ever found yourself in this situation!
What is Shrekking?
Alright, here’s the scoop: Shrekking refers to dating someone you believe is below your standards. The idea is that you’ll have the upper hand in the relationship, convinced you’re out of their league—so there’s no way you’ll end up heartbroken, right? Plot twist: you might just end up getting your heart stomped on instead! 💔
One TikToker put it perfectly: “We’ve all been there: we give the guy we’re not attracted to a chance, thinking he’ll treat us well. And then we get traumatized by a whole troll.” Who else has been there? 🙋♀️ It’s wild how we convince ourselves we’re doing a good thing by ‘dating down.’ But let’s face it, this strategy can backfire in the most epic ways.
The Hierarchy of Dating
This whole Shrekking concept is similar to the idea of hypergamy, where people aim to ‘date up.’ It’s like there’s this unspoken caste system in the dating world, where we assign ‘market value’ based on looks, age, and income. The reality? Many of us are guilty of evaluating potential partners through this lens, which can feel super superficial. But why do we do this?
It’s because society feeds us these standards! We’ve grown up in a culture where dating hierarchies exist, and it’s hard not to internalize that. But just because society has these norms doesn’t mean it’s right or fair. Attraction is way more complex than just checking boxes on a desirability list. If you find yourself saying you were ‘Shrekked,’ it implies someone fell beneath you in this hierarchy, and honestly, that’s not a great mindset to have!
The Realities of Modern Dating
Let’s get real for a moment. Just because you think someone might not meet your standards doesn’t mean they aren’t worthy of love—or that you’re in a better position to judge. Sure, superficial factors like looks and income can play a role in attraction, but true connections go way deeper than that. If you’re out here thinking you’re doing a ‘poor peasant’ a favor by dating them, it’s time to reconsider your approach. You might want to ask yourself: why are you even dating in the first place?
And for those of us who feel the pressure of societal beauty standards—particularly women, who often get told to lower their expectations—it’s understandable to want to take a chance on someone outside your usual type. But if you’re dating defensively, hoping to protect yourself from heartbreak, you might be missing the point of building genuine connections. You might just find yourself feeling resentful in the long run.
So, if you’ve recently found yourself on the receiving end of a Shrekking experience, remember: your feelings are valid! But before you start blaming the other person, take a moment to reflect on why you found yourself in that situation. Maybe it’s time to reevaluate what you really want in a relationship.
