Relationships go through stages, just like how our relationships with our parents and friends change over time. However, understanding a romantic relationship’s stages can be tricky because they can vary from one couple to another. When should a couple start getting more serious? Is there really a honeymoon phase? Does leaving the honeymoon phase mean you’re no longer in love? To clear things up, we talked to two dating experts, Bela Gandhi, and Nora DeKeyser, about the typical stages of a romantic relationship. Interestingly, both experts had similar views on what couples can expect as their relationship progresses from casual dating to something more serious.
According to two dating experts, nearly every couple experiences five stages in their relationship. These stages are:
The Awkward Stage
The initial stages of a potential relationship can be awkward. Both parties are trying to figure out if they like each other and if there is potential for a connection. This can be nerve-wracking as you put yourself out there and open yourself up to rejection.
The first date can be tough. Both of you are likely feeling nervous and overthinking things. You may be worried about making a good impression or saying the wrong thing. However, it is important to remember that everyone feels this way on a first date.
If you feel awkward on a first date, try to relax and focus on getting to know the other person. Ask them questions about themselves and their interests. Be yourself and let your personality shine through.
If you don’t feel connected after the first date, don’t be afraid to say no to a second date. It’s better to be honest with the other person than to lead them on. However, if you feel a connection, don’t hesitate to give it a chance. The first few dates can be awkward, but things usually get easier as you get to know each other better.
The Attraction Stage
After the initial awkwardness of a new relationship, couples enter the attraction stage, also known as the honeymoon phase. This is a time of intense excitement and passion, where you are completely enamored with your partner. You see them through rose-colored glasses and focus on their positive qualities.
The honeymoon phase is a natural part of every relationship but does not last forever. As time passes, the intense feelings of passion and excitement fade. This does not mean that you are falling out of love, but it does mean that the relationship is entering a new phase.
The key to a successful relationship is to learn to love your partner for who they are, flaws and all. This means accepting them for their quirks and imperfections and not expecting them to be perfect. It also means working through tough times and not giving up on the relationship when things get tough.
The Uncertainty Stage
According to DeKeyser, open communication is a crucial factor for success in this stage. Before delving into more serious aspects of the relationship, having an open conversation with your partner about their desires and expectations is important. What do they value? How do they envision their future? What are their aspirations for the relationship? Both individuals must actively choose to work on the relationship, driven by the positive emotions they’ve experienced during the earlier stages of love.
This phase can also bring about the greatest challenges as you begin to scrutinize your relationship with a discerning eye. DeKeyser suggests that facing these challenges head-on can actually bring a couple closer together. It teaches both partners that they can overcome tough times through trust and effective communication.
The Intimacy Stage
If you and your partner have decided to get serious, you have entered the intimacy stage of your relationship. A deep level of trust and vulnerability characterizes this stage. You can share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with each other, even the ones you may not be proud of.
This level of intimacy is not easy to achieve. It takes time, effort, and a willingness to be open and honest with each other. But when you are able to achieve it, it is a truly rewarding experience.
The intimacy stage is a necessary precursor to the partnership stage. To be partners, you need to have a deep understanding of each other and a strong foundation of trust. The intimacy stage helps you to build that foundation.
If you are able to achieve intimacy in your relationship, you will be well on your way to a happy and fulfilling partnership.
The Partnership Stage
A relationship’s partnership stage is when couples become best friends and lovers. They are life partners, and they can spend hours, days, weeks, and months side by side, only bettering each other and feeling like one unit.
The partnership stage is not a specific point in time, and it can mean different things to different couples. It could mean moving in together, getting engaged, or simply deciding to enter a long-term, exclusive relationship.
If you are in a partnership stage with your partner, you should feel happy and fulfilled. You should feel like you can be yourself around them, and you should be able to rely on them for support. If you are not feeling these things, it may be time to re-evaluate your relationship.
