Whether you’re dating someone seriously or looking to meet your next romantic interest, it can be useful to take note of the different stages relationships naturally progress through as they deepen and become more serious. This way, you can watch out for those signs that you and your partner are at one of these key stages in your relationship, which will help keep you both emotionally satisfied throughout the entire time you’re together. Here are five stages of a relationship and how to make them last.
Stage 1: Meeting
The first stage of a relationship involves finding out more about your partner. You can do this by chatting over dinner, on the phone, or online. You may also be exchanging pictures, flirting with them through text messages, or connecting on social media. The important thing is that you’re having fun and enjoying getting to know each other for the first time.
Stage 2: Getting To Know Each Other
When you first start dating, the most important thing is figuring out if there’s mutual attraction. If so, you can move on to finding out what kind of person this new relationship might turn into. Communicate about the things that matter most to you – big life goals, future ambitions, beliefs, social interests, things you enjoy doing together – as soon as possible in the relationship so there are no surprises later on.
Stage 3: Complicated Love
Complicated love is when you’re feeling so many conflicting emotions that it’s difficult to distinguish what you want. Like the stages before, there are things you can do throughout this stage to make it last. The more attention and interest you pay your partner, the better your relationship will be. Plus, communication becomes key once again.
Stage 4: Disillusionment
The Disillusionment stage can be really tough, but that doesn’t mean you should give up hope. Try to talk about your issues openly with your partner, be patient, listen without jumping in to offer a solution. When things feel like they’re hopeless, try reconnecting with an old friend or relative that shares the same values as you – this might renew your faith in the relationship. If talking through it doesn’t seem to be working, counseling may be able to help!
Stage 5: Slow It Down And Enjoy The Ride
Take some time to get used to being in the relationship, but don’t rush it. As you spend more time together, you’ll gradually feel less excitement because your brain knows what is going on. This doesn’t mean you should ignore stage 4 and enjoy the ride like usual; it just means that you should slow down your contact with each other so that there is less anxiety.
