The term "cushioning" describes a practice in which a committed person keeps another person around as a kind of romantic plan B, in case the main relationship ends. The concept gained popularity as a name for this behavior of cultivating parallel connections with potential future romantic interests.
The practice goes beyond simply having friends or occasionally exchanging messages with someone you previously had interest in. There is a specific intention to preserve the romantic possibility, which may include frequent contacts, flirting, dates, or even maintaining a connection with an ex-partner.
The difference between normal interactions and cushioning lies in the purpose: it is not an isolated interaction, but rather the deliberate maintenance of an available alternative. The behavior usually appears in a discreet way, and may include hiding messages, deleting records, or minimizing intimacy with certain people.
