“He watches my stories, but…”
Have you ever wondered why someone continues to view every one of your Instagram stories and likes your posts but doesn’t even send a simple ‘Hi, how are you?’ Maybe they leave a few comments, but when it comes to turning things into something tangible, they escape quickly and abruptly. This is called orbiting.
Orbiting describes someone who doesn’t want to be a part of your life but still remains in orbit around you — a purely digital phenomenon that characterizes the social media era.
You’ve become Mars, and they’re your little rover, in an exploration phase without ever making a true landing.
Are They Interested If They Keep Watching My Stories?
It’s important to emphasize that social media, despite providing a glimpse into people’s lives, often only show a curated and filtered version of reality.
Therefore, building a perception or interpersonal connection exclusively on these digital interactions may not reflect the complexity and depth of real human relationships.
At some point, it’s natural to wonder why someone would turn into a human satellite orbiting around another person’s planet without ever landing. But the truth is the reasons can vary:
Emotional Indecision
Sometimes, orbiting is a middle ground between wanting to maintain a connection and not being ready to commit to a real relationship, whether it’s friendship or romance. It could also signify shyness on the part of the other person. They might be waiting for clear signals of openness from you before taking a more concrete step.
Curiosity
Who doesn’t want to know what’s happening in the lives of others, especially if it’s an ex, a strained friendship, or a simple acquaintance who has sparked our curiosity? Sometimes, there’s no ulterior motive behind someone viewing your stories or liking your content. They’re simply scrolling through social media, watching stories like those of others and liking without any hidden agenda.
Conflict Avoidance
Perhaps you’ve ended a relationship, but you don’t want to be the “bad guy” who unfollows. Continuing to orbit allows us to avoid that painful and definitive step.
Power Play
In some cases, orbiting can be a way to exercise a form of power over someone. It makes the other person feel watched and appreciated, but not important enough for communication beyond social media interaction.
So, What Should You Do?
If you’re interested in a digital astronaut, why limit yourself to a dance of likes and views without ever stepping onto a real dance floor?
In other words, if you genuinely want to know someone’s intentions behind orbiting, it’s ideal to break the ice. A message, a conversation, an invitation – something real. And if they don’t respond? Well, perhaps it’s time to stop being a welcoming planet and become a star that shines on its own.
Orbiting is a game for those with time to waste and hearts to confuse. While it may seem like an innocent digital dance, it can create confusion and hinder the emotional closure of a relationship (whether real or imagined). Remember that your value isn’t determined by the number of orbits around you. Stay focused on your needs without investing too much energy in understanding why the orbiter behaves the way they do. If they’re not ready to join you, then it might be time to explore a new galaxy!
In the meantime, remember, that the world is full of stars. Don’t let yourself be overshadowed by an indecisive satellite.
**You Need These 5 Types of “Relationships” In Your Life In Order to Be Happy**
This article first appeared on grazia.it — Author: Elena Zauli
