Written by: Allison Grundy
The chill breeze and changing leaves can only mean one thing: cuffing season is finally here. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary explains that “cuffing season,” which begins in October and lasts until just after Valentine’s Day, is the time of the year when many people begin new relationships.
As people find themselves in these new relationships, the question in this age of social media is how best to share relationships online. There are two methods: “hard launching” and “soft launching.” In marketing, these terms describe the level of discretion a business uses for introducing new products. Similarly, in regards to relationships, the terms are used to describe how publicly one chooses to reveal their significant other on social media.
Hard launching typically involves something like posting a photo of a significant other with a heartfelt caption, tagging them in the post and openly sharing the relationship online.
Soft launching is more subtle, such as sharing a photo of a hand in the corner or pictures of their supposed significant other from behind. Posts of this nature give hints and clues about the relationship status, but they are vague and open to interpretation.
As the focus on social media shifts from sharing life updates to more performative platforms for many young people, soft launching has become more popular.
Even though soft launching can be creative and a good option for those who want to keep details of their life private for safety reasons, the soft launch does not always come off the way people intend. Often, it can suggest a lack of commitment or uncertainty about the relationship. It can also lead to confusion among friends, resulting in assumptions that may not accurately reflect the true feelings of the relationship.
Some may feel more comfortable soft launching because they are unsure about the relationship. I would argue that if the levels of commitment are not yet established, involving the relationship in social media too early will only make things more complicated. Additionally, soft launching can unintentionally send the message that even though someone may be happy to be in a relationship, for whatever reason, they are embarrassed of who it is with.
Posting relationships on social media is not for everyone, and no one should feel any obligation to submit themselves to the opinions of others. However, presenting a relationship online that reflects its true nature can encourage support from friends and family rather than speculation.
While soft launching might seem like a trendy way to introduce a significant other, it can lead to confusion that could be harmful to a relationship. By embracing transparency, couples can create a stronger foundation for their relationship—one that’s based on trust and open communication rather than ambiguity and external validation. So, when both partners feel comfortable sharing their relationship online, they should do so unabashedly.
