Pocketing in a relationship is a relationship dynamic in which one partner in the relationship hides the other partner from their social circle and avoids interactions to friends and family and refuses to share the relationship on social media.
Pocketing in a relationship also signifies a lack of public commitment and often makes the partner feel like an insignificant other instead of a significant other or that the relationship is kept in secret.
The key signs of pocketing in a relationship include no social integration, social media absence, public avoidance and secrecy.
When there's pocketing in a relationship you may never have met your partners friends or family even after dating for several months.
And you or your partner may never post photos of you or them or tag you or them and may remove comments.
A person who is in a pocketing relationship may also avoid public displays of affection or avoid attending events where they might be recognized.
And the pocketing relationship often feels confined to private settings, with the partner also acting like they are single when in public.
Although pocketing in a relationship is often a sign of a lack of commitment in the relationship or hiding something, the pocketing in a relationship is not always done for malicious reasons.
Other reasons that pocketing in a relationship may occur include taking it slow, fear and insecurity or shame or lack of commitment.
Pocketing in a relationship can occur due to not wanting to fully commit or being ashamed of the partner.
Or due to fear of judgement from family and friends or past heartbreak.
Or even due to wanting to ensure that the relationship is solid before introducing of family.
To address pocketing in a relationship, open direct communication is required.
Ask to meet the partners friends or share a photo on social medial to gauge their reaction.
And if the pocketing behavior in the relationship continues, then it might be a sign of a stashing relationship, which often indicates that there's a need to re-evaluate the partnership.