Dating is not easy. There is a lot that you go through when you start dating. It doesn’t matter if your are new to the dating scene or not, some guidelines are needed to survive it. There a few stages you experience as you go through the relationship. Understanding these stage is the only way to ensure a lasting and healthy relationship.
Here are a few of the stages experienced in dating.
The attraction stage. This is where you initially notice the other person. You hope that the feeling is mutual. When the timing is right, you usually make a move and ask them out hoping for a possibility to explore your feelings and build a relationship.
After the attraction, comes the uncertainty stage. At this point, there’s an interest and possibly a few dates have gone by. You like the person but are uncertain about how they feel and if you should be in a relationship with them. You wonder if they are the right one for you. This is normal and you shouldn’t panic and run when it happens. Just think about it and weigh the pros and cons of the relationship before you decide anything. Having doubts is ok, but don’t rush into opting out of the relationship.
Exclusivity is the next stage of dating. At this point, all your doubts are gone and you are firmly invested in the relationship. You make a conscious decision to be in a committed relationship. Keep the romance alive and don’t change simply because you are exclusive.
Intimacy is also a stage of dating. It doesn’t simply refer to sexual intimacy, but intimacy on levels. You get comfortable with each other and let your guard down. At this point, you’re not scared to let them in and show them the real you, you share your thoughts and secrets with them.
The last stage of dating is engagement. It’s the stage we all hope the relationship is leading towards. It’s the stage that marks a celebration of love and commitment. You’ve decided that this person is the one you want to spend your life with and take the necessary steps to make it happen. This stage sets the pace for marriage.
Now you know the stages of dating and can better understand how things are. You can see where you go wrong when a break –up happens and possibly try and fix things.