Love-bombing
It moved faster than trust usually moves. That was part of the point.
Love-bombing is early intensity used to create closeness, obligation, and emotional momentum before anything steady has been built.
Truth-adjacency
Truth-independent — the pattern works regardless of whether the claim is true
Department
Covenant of Final Harmony (CFH)
How to recognize it
It moved faster than trust usually moves. That was part of the point.
What to ask
- Is the intensity creating closeness, or is it creating a pace I can’t comfortably slow down?
- Would I still be wanted if I asked for more time, space, or steadiness?
- Am I being known, or am I being swept into a version of me that fits the story?
What it looks like when you’re wrong about it
Genuine warmth and enthusiasm in a new relationship is not love-bombing. The pattern requires the intensity to be a tool for creating dependency, not just excitement.
Misuse Guardrails
How this pattern gets misused
The term gets misused to describe any affectionate or enthusiastic behavior, even when there's no manipulative intent. Real love-bombing involves intensity designed to create obligation.
What it looks like when you're wrong about it
Genuine warmth and enthusiasm in a new relationship is not love-bombing. The pattern requires the intensity to be a tool for creating dependency, not just excitement.
Related Patterns
The name is designed to spread. The hook is designed to stick. If you recognized something, share the name.