How to Tell If Your Relationship Is Ready for the Next Level

Meeting new people can be an exciting experience. This is especially true when you find yourself attracted to someone.

Throughout your social interactions, you end up meeting a woman you like. You learn about her and figure out who she is. You might even feel excited and grin from ear to ear every time you spend time with her.

Maybe some time has passed and you still find yourself drawn to her. She’s intelligent and quick-witted to keep you on your toes. Conversations are far from boring and the chemistry between you two is strong.

She also seems as interested in you as you are in her.

“Are we both ready for a serious relationship?” you ask yourself.

But how will you know it's time to take things to the next level?

Well, here are a few helpful signs to consider:

You support and trust each other

Relationship counselor and author of Dear Love, I’m Ready For You, Daniella Laura says there are three main pillars to building trust, and that is honesty, openness, and transparency.

If you want your relationship to last, you must be able to trust and support your partner. You need to stay true to yourself and be willing to take risks by sharing things that are tough to discuss and making space for your partner to share their own vulnerabilities.

These three attributes, according to Laura, will provide a trust-building process that leads to improved trust and support for you and your partner, especially if they are exercised often.

If you and your partner feel confident watching each other’s back, then that’s a good sign of a healthy relationship.

You feel comfortable around each other

As the foundation of trust begins to build in your relationship, you may start to feel comfortable around your partner.

You feel secure in their presence, just like you would with a best friend. Whether it's a lazy Sunday spent in front of the TV or simply being in the room without saying anything, the pleasant silence can reveal a lot about how your relationship is doing.

According to Dr. Wyatt Fisher, a Colorado-based licensed psychologist, "When you start feeling really safe with the person — like you fully can be yourself and they still love and accept you — it's usually a sign you're ready for the next step in the relationship."

Another way to tell if you and your partner feel safe around one another is how you speak to each other. You may feel comfortable revealing sensitive issues, like your medical history or previous relationships. You might even share a few secrets with them, and they might share a few secrets with you.

Your relationship may become closer than ever if you freely allow yourself to be vulnerable around your partner, and vice versa.

You see a future commitment with each other

When you're out on dates with your partner, you might bump into a family from time to time, and you think to yourselves that you’re both going to have a family of your own someday as well.

According to relationship expert Michelle Fraley, “If your partner is often talking about trips you will one day take together or what your children will look like, there is a pretty good chance they see longevity with you.”

People frequently fantasize about future plans with their partners at the start of their romantic relationships, but if your discussions become concrete and serious, it's a sign your relationship is progressing.

You share similar values

Sometimes, you can get sidetracked by the romantic excitement and interactions you have with each other in the early stages of your relationship. However, in order to establish a meaningful relationship, you begin to question whether their values are compatible with yours - at the very least, the most crucial ones.

What does your partner think about commitment, for example? They may be satisfied and comfortable with the current state of affairs. They might not want to commit to a long-term relationship. What are their priorities in the near future? Do they want to tie the knot?

The best course of action is to have a discussion with your partner. Because this is the next stage of life, it's critical to be aware of each other's priorities and values.

If your beliefs and priorities are similar, it's another indication that you're both ready for a long-term relationship.

You communicate about money

Money is one of the most common reasons for couples to split up. It has become one of the key factors that make or break relationships, whether it's a lack of it or disagreements about how it should be spent.

Money disagreements, according to research studies, are the root of broader concerns, such as financial beliefs, relationship goals, and personal values. Some studies also indicate that money has the unintended effect of amplifying the level of trust between couples.

When most single individuals start a romantic relationship, they forget they are not financially alone. As a result, they're not used to splitting expenses. However, in order to make a long-term commitment, they must talk about money and consider putting some of their money into a joint account.

If you want to take your relationship to the next level, you should address these concerns as soon as possible to avoid future conflicts. However, as long as both parties are mature and financially responsible enough to hold themselves accountable, financial concerns can be resolved peacefully.

Lastly, you don’t keep secrets from each other

Honesty, like trust, is another pillar of a good relationship. According to relationship specialists, honesty is essential in any relationship. Over time, it aids in the development of trust and commitment.

If you don't have any positive words to offer, just be mindful and choose your words carefully because harsh honesty may have the exact opposite effect, and you may end up hurting your partner's feelings.

For example, if your partner prepares dinner for you and you don't particularly enjoy it, instead of saying hurtful comments, say something nice like, "Thank you for preparing dinner, but it tastes a little gamey to me. Nonetheless, I appreciate it."

According to relationship counselor Margaret Paul, each lie your partner discovers from you gradually erodes their confidence until they eventually lose faith in you because you never take your words seriously.

So follow Margaret's advice and be kind to your partner. It will be worthwhile in the end, and your bond will be stronger than before.