Are you just talking? Hanging out? Having fun? Together? How do you introduce this person if you run into someone from high school? Gah, the anxiety. “People get so tripped up these days with ‘label aversion'.
“They tiptoe around one another, wondering if they’re dating, dating exclusively or are in a relationship.”
Relationship ambiguity can be mind-boggling.
It helps if you have a clear intention about your life and dating style, so you can go into flings or relationships with clarity on what you’re looking for from it.
Regardless of how you feel about putting a label on it, you want to be on the same page about what’s going on and the appropriate boundaries involved (like, dating-app usage and sex with other people).
If you’re confused about where you stand with one romantic partner in particular, or are nearing the “what are we?” stage of your courtship, here’s what to know about exclusive dating versus actual relationships.
What does exclusive dating really mean?
“Simply put, dating exclusively means both people are only focused on one another. They’re not juggling other people".
Your goal is to be committed to each other in a monogamous relationship, but you still have to test drive things out a bit longer.
You know, just to be sure. It’s also a lot less pressure than throwing a label on things right away.
You’re continuing to get to know one another, and you're putting the same amount of time and energy into doing so, without distractions from any other potential suitors.
You gotta make sure the other person is okay with sleeping with the fan on or your strict reality TV schedule, you know? The main thing is, you see potential and are mutually willing to work toward a future to see if you're truly compatible.
This exclusive-dating process means your lives are starting to become naturally more entwined. Maybe you start hanging out with his friend group regularly on weekends, or you bookmark a funny meme to send him later because it reminded you of him.
You’ve likely lost interest in your work crush, and if a dating app is still on your phone, you haven't touched it in weeks.
And when you make it onto his Instagram story—or even more telling, his feed—it’s a sign things are becoming exclusive.
All that said, exclusive dating does not mean that this person is your boyfriend or girlfriend. That role requires legit responsibilities and a shifting of priorities—namely, putting your bond together before other commitments.
Oh, and while you're at it: Exclusive dating isn't something you want to assume or infer is happening. Even if you're so sure that you’re both only interested in each other, it’s still a good idea to have an actual (out-loud) conversation about it, when you’re comfortable. Trust your intuition, but know that hearing is way more reassuring.
Ah, okay. So how is that different from a relationship again?
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