At the start of seeing someone, it’s very common to struggle between the different stages of dating, as there are many nuances to each of them. If you wonder if you are just dating or in a serious, committed relationship, this article can help you end that dreaded uncertainty.
What is Dating?
Dating is that stage that comes after first meeting someone. It consists of a series of dates meant to know and learn more about each other before deciding to enter a committed relationship. Though there’s little commitment at this stage because you’re just starting to see where you coincide and where you differ, there’s still a level of excitement that comes from not knowing certain aspects of your romantic interest’s life.
Stages of Dating
Dating also entails a series of phases to go through to reach the desired relationship status. First comes the awkwardness. In this phase, you feel attracted to each other, but you’re not really sure where things can go and how you feel.
Then comes the growing attraction. As dates follow their natural progression, you grow increasingly fond of each other, and the desire to spend time together strengthens.
The third phase is confusion about a future together. As you’ve been spending so much time with each other, you start thinking about the future. If you want the person you’ve been dating to be in it, this is a sign to take the next step. If not, this is the time to part ways.
Finally, there’s the phase of intimacy. You both know you want to move forward because you want to be in each other’s life. Here’s when you usually start thinking about getting into a relationship.
What is a Relationship?
A relationship is the stage where you are finally completely committed to each other. The connection you have doesn’t feel uncertain, as you’ve both expressed what you want, your expectations, and your desire to be together long-term. This is when you start to feel more and more comfortable being yourself and start trusting that the other person will be there when you need it.
Stages of a Relationship
A relationship also goes through different stages as you become more attached to your partner. The first one is the euphoric stage. In this early part, the other person becomes the center of your life, and you can’t stop thinking about them.
Then, the early attachment comes in. This is when you reach a point where you can start doing other things besides thinking about your partner. You’ve gone through some difficulties, and you’ve been able to navigate them successfully.
The crisis stage generally goes from year five to seven. This is when you naturally drift apart. The challenge here is finding a way to each other, and if that never happens, the relationship can fall apart.
Finally, we reach the deep attachment stage. This is the calm after the storm. You’ve been through ups and downs, and despite difficult times, you managed to stay together, strengthening your bond.
Signs It’s Turning into a Serious Relationship
If you’re still confused, some signs can help you tell if your casual dates are becoming more serious. One of them is noticing that you don’t want to see or be with other people romantically. You deleted all the dating apps and no longer feel attraction to anyone else.
Another sign is finding yourself thinking about the other person while you’re doing your everyday tasks. Maybe it’s not even an overwhelming thought, but just a faint curiosity about what they’re doing.
Also, you want to include your romantic interest in future plans and projects because you can’t imagine a future without them.
Dating vs Relationship: Differences and Similarities
The main differences between dating and being in a relationship are the level of commitment and the certainty you feel that you want to be with them. When you are just dating, there’s an uncertainty and mysteriousness that keeps everything exciting. However, when you’re in a relationship, you feel safer, more stable, and you trust more deeply in the other person.
Which one should I pursue?
At the end of the day, everything comes down to your personal preferences. If you don’t want a long-term commitment, maybe you should just keep casually dating. But if you want a partner you can trust, we encourage you to take the next step into a relationship. Some sites, like Hinge, Bumble, Happn, and Tinder, can be of much help if a relationship is what you are looking for. So don’t forget to check them out and start your dating journey!
