Spiraling

Spiraling in internet slang means to enter a state of intense emotional distress or anxiety that keeps growing and worsening rapidly. It refers to the feeling of being overwhelmed by negative thoughts or feelings, causing a person to feel trapped in a cycle of negativity or helplessness. It often involves losing control over one’s emotions and thoughts, leading to a downward mental and emotional spiral.

Examples:

1. After receiving his exam results, John started spiraling, believing he was a failure and wouldn’t succeed in anything. He began questioning his abilities, which only made him feel worse. As a result, he fell into a pattern of negative thinking where he perceived every setback as evidence of his incompetence.

2. Emma’s spiraling began when a misunderstanding with her friend made her feel rejected and isolated. As she dwelled on the situation, her mind played different scenarios, each worse than the last. She started assuming her friend disliked her, imagining their entire relationship falling apart. Emma’s spiraling made her withdraw from social activities and lose confidence in her friendships.

– Experiencing a breakup, Alice started spiraling and convinced herself that she would never find love again. She questioned her worth and began feeling lonely even in the company of others. This negative thought cycle led her to isolate herself further and become more depressed.

– Mark’s spiraling started after receiving harsh criticism on his artwork. In his mind, this criticism snowballed into the belief that he was talentless and unworthy of pursuing his passion. His self-esteem suffered, and he found it difficult to continue working on his art projects, feeling defeated before even starting.