The 5 Stages Of Dating That Every Couple Experiences

5 Stages Of Dating

Whether you’re at the start of a blossoming relationship or been with your significant other for years, every relationship goes through the same five stages of dating. These five stages are attraction, reality, commitment, intimacy and finally, engagement.

It may seem pretty obvious, but relationships – whether romantic or platonic – grow with time and undergo distinct changes as bonds are formed and intimacy is developed. As your relationship evolves through each of these stages, you’ll learn more about each other and determine if you and your partner are committed and destined for a lifetime together.

1. Attraction

The first step of dating is attraction, and it is crucial to whether a connection may grow into something more. There must be a certain attraction between each couple for it to turn into anything romantic, whether you meet each other naturally when you are with friends, family, or acquaintances, through a matchmaker, on online dating sites, or on apps. This stage, often known as the honeymoon period, is when everything feels brand-new, thrilling, and almost perfect.

2. Reality

The second stage is reality, which can continue for up to six months and tends to creep up on you gradually. This marks the end of the honeymoon period and the time when you could start to see issues with your partner and become annoyed by certain things.

This doesn't mean you don't like or love each other anymore; it's only that once reality and everyday life kick in, you start to notice your relationship more. For instance, you can discover that as you spend more time together, you start to notice certain idiosyncrasies or habits that you would not have initially noticed.

3. Commitment

You enter the commitment phase once you've passed the reality stage. By this time, you have grown to not only recognize but also accept your partner's potential defects, and you express a wish to remain with one other completely.

The decision to remain devoted to one another in all situations also entails accepting one another's aspirations, objectives, and emotional needs. This could entail choosing a place to live with, supporting them as they pursue their objectives, and talking about your future plans.

4. Intimacy

Intimacy is the fourth stage, and it normally involves nurturing the true love that has been fostered over the last year or so. Contrary to popular belief, this stage is about more than just physical intimacy; it is also about connecting on a deeper level.

True love begins once two people have formed a bond with each other. This stage usually entails opening up to one another and completely letting down your guard. You will be vulnerable without holding back for the first time in the relationship, learning about each other's pasts and deeper feelings and seeing their true character in a new light.

5. Engagement

Engagement and blissful love are the final stages. This is the point at which you decide to make a life-long commitment to your partner and take things to the next level. Working together to plan a happy and fruitful future with each other requires this level of commitment.

Even if you have made a commitment, it does not guarantee that your relationship will not have ups and downs in the future. The important thing is to learn to apologize and forgive when things go wrong, and to instead work as a solid partnership to overcome any obstacles that life throws your way.

How to Keep The Flame Alive

1. Effective Communication

When difficult issues arise, it is critical that you make time for each of you to express your feelings. The kind of talking in which you will both have a voice and commit to constructively discussing and working through your problems, both as individuals and as a couple.

It's essential to lay out all relevant facts and feelings so you can build a solid foundation for communication. You want your partner to hear and respect your needs, but you can only do so by engaging in open dialogue. It is important to communicate your needs in order to keep your relationship healthy.

2. Weekly Intimacy Dates

I recommend that you and your partner work on making time for physical intimacy and scheduling weekly intimacy dates into your busy schedules. Intimacy dates are organic experiences that involve a little more than talking or touching to encourage physical connection. Physical intimacy does not have to be the end result of an intimate date. It is critical to plan for them and select locations that are free of distractions. The intimacy dates' purpose is to keep your sexual relationship healthy.

3. Don’t Blame

When your physical and emotional needs are not met, frustration grows. Rather than working as a team to discover what is at the root of intimacy issues, destructive emotions such as blame and guilt often harm the relationship. It is easier to blame your partner than to consider how you contribute to the problem. When you start blaming each other, it becomes even more difficult to reclaim your love for one another. Remember that intimacy is a shared experience between partners, not between individuals.

4. Initiate Intimacy

It is important that you make your partner feel desirable. Unfortunately, I've seen people struggle to initiate physical affection and intimacy with their partners, either due to unresolved anger or fear of rejection. The issue here is that this prevents them from putting energy and effort into this critical area of their partnership. You want to keep the relationship "alive" by making your partner feel wanted. Initiating intimacy communicates to your partner that you are interested in them and want to feel close and connected to them.

I encourage you to follow these tips and commit to taking action as the rewards will help give you lasting satisfaction and sustained passion in your relationship.

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