In an ideal world, you\u2019d meet someone you like, they\u2019d like you back, you\u2019d start dating, and then live happily ever after. For some people, it works out like a dream. But for everyone else, there\u2019s a lot more uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One thing that can really throw you off is not knowing where you stand with the person you\u2019ve been dating for some time now. For instance, you act like a couple when you\u2019re out together, they treat you like their significant other, and they\u2019ve slept over more than a few times. But despite all that, you can\u2019t confidently say you\u2019re \u201cin a relationship.\u201d As confusing as it can be, it does happen a lot. In fact, there\u2019s even a name for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA \u2018situationship\u2019 typically involves a no label relationship,\u201d Katarina Phang, \u201cMan Whisperer\u201d and dating coach, tells The Date Mix. \u201cIt\u2019s basically casual dating in which there\u2019s no firm commitment from either side.\u201d These are tough situations to be in because one person usually longs for commitment while the other isn\u2019t ready or willing to give it to them just yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The good news is, you can turn a situationship into a real relationship. In fact, it happens all the time. Here\u2019s what the experts recommend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bring your partner into your world.<\/strong> \u201cWhether the situationship evolves into a relationship or not, this is one step you don’t want to skip when deciding if someone is right for you,\u201d Kevin Darn\u00e9, dating expert and author of My Cat Won’t Bark! (A Relationship Epiphany) says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you do become a couple, your partner is going to spend time with them anyway. So why delay the inevitable?<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a good move to pull if you\u2019ve been seeing each other for months already. This can also clue you into how your partner is feeling about taking things to another level. If they try to avoid meeting people in your life, this may be a sign they\u2019re just looking to keep things casual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Replace casual activities with more intimate ones.<\/strong> Make it exclusive.<\/strong> Limit the texting and talk more in person.<\/strong> \u201cIn texts you can be ignored, tone gets lost, and the flow and timing of the conversation can dwindle,\u201d Tzlil Hertzberg, relationship counselor at MyTherapist New York, tells The Date Mix. \u201cBesides, moving into a real relationship means spending more time with each other. So set the stage from the get go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Say something.<\/strong> There\u2019s nothing wrong with being in situationship if that\u2019s what you\u2019re looking for. But if it\u2019s not, it\u2019s OK to want what you want. If your partner is on the same page, you can turn your situationship into an actual relationship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The truth is, it happens all the time. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":186,"featured_media":19029,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[884,891],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dating-advice","category-relationship-advice"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nOne way to transition your situationship into an actual relationship is to introduce your significant other to your friends, co-workers, and maybe even a couple of family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cTake activities that are more often seen in situationships and tailor them into something that a \u2018real\u2019 couple might do,\u201d Jeannie Assimos, Chief of Advice at eHarmony, says. For example, instead of ending your date night with some fun in the bedroom, end it with ice cream and a really good conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nEveryone\u2019s situationship is different. If your particular situation allows you and the other person to date other people, try changing that. According to Assimos, this will be a gateway to a real relationship. There\u2019s also a sense of comfort knowing that your partner is only interested in seeing you, even if they\u2019re not quite ready to commit to an actual relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nTexting is a great way to stay in contact throughout the day, but too much texting can create a false sense of intimacy and connection. Texting consistently back and forth for a month doesn\u2019t mean anything if you\u2019ve only seen each other in person once or twice over that time. So if you want a real relationship, limit the amount of text conversations you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nIf you\u2019ve been stuck in your situationship for months now and you want a real relationship, speak up. Let your partner know that a relationship is what you want. \u201cThis isn\u2019t about ultimatums; it\u2019s about not being afraid to tell people what you want,\u201d Jennifer Weaver-Breitenbecher, licensed psychotherapist and owner of Polaris Counseling & Consulting LLC, tells The Date Mix. \u201cIf the other person doesn\u2019t share this goal, then the dynamic will dissolve and you can go on to find someone who shares the goal of also being in a relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n