BY LINDSAY RAY

What is ‘winter coating?’ Here’s why your ex is suddenly reappearing, as shared in my interview with The List Daily. #wintercoating #ex #exreturns #datinggames #datingtrands

Lindsay writes, “When the weather outside is frightful, and all you want to do is cuddle on the couch with a special someone, you aren’t alone. In fact, there’s an actual term for this time of year: cuffing season. The dating trend first appeared on the online slang glossary Urban Dictionary and has since earned a spot in the legitimate Merriam-Webster dictionary, proving how mainstream the term has gotten.

Since its conception in 2011, cuffing season has paved the way for more relationship trends and terms. From the “guardrailing” dating trend that helps you set boundaries to “snow storming,” which involves ending a cuffing season relationship, it doesn’t matter where you’re at in your relationship, there’s probably a term that best describes it.

Although some of these dating trends may seem hurtful, it’s beneficial to adequately put a name on some classic toxic behaviors that creep in during the dating and relationship stages. And — shocker — there’s a new dating trend this winter that’s a lot less warm and cozy, despite its name. If you’ve ever experienced that ever-so-common loneliness during the colder months, and your thoughts go to a specific person from your past, then you’ll resonate with “winter coating.”

Are you tempted to hit your ex up during cuffing season? You may be winter coating

Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager discussed this trend on “Today with Hoda and Jenna,” which was posted on their TikTok. In the video, Kotb describes this trend as “when you go back to that old standby guy who you dated. Remember the one?” she says through an audience of giggles. “The one who you’re like, ‘Oh God, alright, I’ll just call him. It’s winter time.’ You want to be cozy with somebody you know, so you just go back to that old shoe.”

Maybe you’re desperate, maybe you’re impatient, or maybe you’re just lazy, as described by New York-based relationship expert Susan Winter. “We get lazy in the winter, and it’s comfortable to have somebody right here with you without having to go hunting for someone new,” she told USA Today. The downside to this trend? Once the snow melts and the birds begin to sing, that old flame is dumped — again. This is where the toxicity comes in because you’re ultimately using someone as a temporary placeholder until the weather warms back up.”

Continue Reading: Despite Its Name, The ‘Winter Coating’ Dating Trend Is Far From Cozy