Early declarations of shared futures, emotional certainty, and long-term plans can feel reassuring, especially in a dating culture shaped by burnout, loneliness, and endless choice. ‘Future faking’ is a dating trend that taps into hope, vulnerability, and the desire for security, making it harder to spot and even harder to walk away from. How can someone distinguish between genuine early enthusiasm and ‘future faking’? Dr Sakshi Mandhyan, psychologist and founder at Mandhyan Care, tells indianexpress.com, “In the early stages of dating, enthusiasm is natural. Not to assign blame, but to understand personal patterns.”In future relationships, she adds, “I encourage people to stay anchored in the present.

Source: Indian Express January 13, 2026 19:15 UTC