Ah, love. L-O-V-E. The four letters of happiness… or are they? Getting into a relationship can be a tricky business, especially when you have just started dating. Could there be signs that perhaps this new romance needs to slow down a bit? Especially when people’s hearts are on the line.
Those three words
Although saying “I love you” can take the relationship to the next level, do you really feel that way about your new romance or are you overjoyed to have someone new in your life? Being in love typically means you experience an attraction towards someone while feeling love is usually for those in long-term relationships who have formed lasting connections with someone. This could also be the same for mapping out your future. Do you really know the person that you are planning on spending the rest of your life with? After all, it’s tough to learn years of information in just a few short weeks.
The big move
On the subject of planning out your lives, a huge step in any relationship is to move in together. On paper, it may make the most sense. Your bills would be halved while you’ll also get to come home to the one you love every day. But is this really the person you want to see at the end of each day? While the ”honeymoon period” could tell you that your new beau is forever – that could all change when you learn their personal habits. Being in a relationship is all about developing at a natural pace.
The non-negotiables matter
It’s time to take off the rose-colored spectacles and see the real issues that may be standing in the way of your relationship. Everyone is different – that’s part of what makes this world incredible! Whether it’s different likes, varying favorite foods, or differing opinions on the world, these variations make us all human. However, can you really get over the ideas that could cause conflict further down the line? Perhaps you dream of a huge family while your partner never wants children? Maybe they are set on recreating Jurassic Park while you suffer deinophobia? (That’s a fear of dinosaurs.) These are issues that won’t go away by just ignoring them.
“Where are you?”
The odd little text throughout the day can be a sweet way to let your partner know you are thinking about them. But what about when they become constant messaging and questioning where they are? After all, both sides of the relationship need their own space. This could also be an issue if you are looking for subtle hints in their texts that they are trying to tell you. They missed an ‘x’ on the end, or didn’t add the heart-eyed emoji shouldn’t be reasons to get yourself worked up. Instead, why not have a conversation about how their tone of voice in texts makes you feel?
Spill all the secrets
It’s an amazing feeling to have someone you trust so much you can tell them all your most well-kept secrets. However, is it a good idea to confide in someone you have only known for a number of days or weeks your most intimate secrets? You never know who could learn of your past. Instead, it is recommended that you give your partner little bits of trust at a time. If they prove they can be trusted, give them a bit more and so on. That way you avoid any heartache further down the line if things don’t work out.
Relationships are great, but if you’re in it for the long run then what is the rush? After all, you may have years ahead of you to discover everything about your new partner. By stepping back and slowing things down, you could help to build a relationship set to last a lifetime.
