Stages Of A Committed Relationship: How To Cycle Through Them
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Loading... - Aluna Musau
- 27 Apr 2023
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Getting into a new relationship can be a scary thing to do, especially after you got your heart shredded into pieces or you’ve been single for a while. And getting to that happily-ever-after stage can be daunting for most. Nothing comes easy, all that’s required is patience and an understanding that love is a cycle, not a destination.
Here’s everything you need to know about the five stages of a relationship and what skills couples need to weather each stage.
The attraction stage
Getting to know each other, feeling excited, and viewing the relationship in an idealized way. It often involves the “honeymoon” phase, High-dopamine moments, being unable to see each other’s flaws, trying to get the other person to like you, and not seeing or acknowledging any incompatibility or differences. This stage is normally categorized as infatuation or worse, Lust! My advice is to move strategically. Get candid advice from friends who can ensure you’re not missing any truly worrisome red flags while under this biochemical love potion.
Adjusting to Reality
Being more in touch with yourself and your needs; looking at the other person more critically and questioning if they are right for you. This often involves the infatuation settling down, becoming more of oneself, observing each other’s flaws, figuring out each other’s values, and evaluating a future together. At this point, the skills of conflict management are essential. Remember that power struggles and arguments are normal parts of a relationship and you’ll need to learn to identify the difference between healthy disagreement and unhealthy control issues. Because this is the stage where you’re starting to recognize your differences, this second stage of a relationship is also a good time to learn your love languages. Read More…
