Whether you've been together for months or years, you've already gone through some relationship stages. What phase are you in now? What's coming?
Relationships are unique. And each person's love experience is never the same. You may have had several relationships in your life, and each will have been very different from the last one. But there are different stages of a relationship that all couples go through, regardless of how you started or where you are in your relationship now. [Read:How to tell the difference between falling in love and love]
The stages of the relationship in your love life
Relationships, like life, have their own stages and phases. It starts with passion and goes through several milestones along the way. And these stages are like tests that check compatibility between you.
If you get it wrong somewhere along the way, your relationship will bear the brunt of the downfall.
Have you ever met a couple who seemed like they would be together forever but broke up a few years later?
Perhaps, in all likelihood, they were wrong at some stages in their relationship. [Read:The top 30 reasons for divorce that most couples ignore]
Why do relationships have phases?
Relationships must be built over time. Very few people meet someone and immediately jump into the serious stuff. It is best to let your relationship grow slowly and consciously. So you know each other well and can go through the trials and tribulations of life together.
Of course we all know that in thebeginning of a relationshipeverything is fun and exciting. But it's also super confusing. Some people love the starting point. Others hate it and want to get to a point where things are more resolved.
As a relationship develops, it's normal for some of the warmth and excitement to fade, but that doesn't mean it's any less enjoyable or rewarding. In fact, that's when good things happen, then love starts to build and lust starts to wane a little.
Understanding these stages of the relationship will help you stop panicking when you notice changes. Keep going. Let things develop naturally and see where your relationship goes. [Read:13 signs the honeymoon is starting to fade in your eyes]
The 10 stages of a relationship that every couple lives in their relationship timeline
are you in a new relationship Or are you in a long-term relationship with someone you've been with or married to for several years?
It doesn't matter how long your relationship lasted because all relationships fall perfectly into one of these relationship phases. Find your own relationship phase here and it will definitely help you understand your love life better.
And once you figure out what phase you are in, remember the next phases so that you are prepared for the new change and the next level of love. [Read:New relationship tips for a perfect start.]
Stage 1. The infatuation phase of a relationship - 0-6 months
When you first meet someone you are interested in, it is intense. Your heart is racing, you can't stop thinking about her, not to mention you're horny all the time. That isthe passion phase, and it's nice. There is so much passion between you. It makes everyone around you sick. But you don't care!
In this phase, both of you ignore any mistakes and only focus on the positive side. Do you find everything about each other attractive and things not so attractive? Well, you think they're cute!
This is that hot and confusing time. It's when you can't keep your hands off each other and everything about that person makes you smile. You also probably look your best every time you see them because you don't want them to see you any less than that.
This is the famous phase of the butterfly or thehoneymoon phaseas it is sometimes called. It's fun, but it can't last long without morphing into something else. [Read:The early stages of dating and how to navigate the ins and outs]
Stage 2. The understanding phase of a relationship - 18 months to 3 years
During this phase, the two get to know each other better. You have long, late-night conversations with your partner, and everything related to your partner interests and fascinates you.
At this point you are talking about families, exes, likes and dislikes of each other and other innocent secrets and life seems so beautiful and romantic. They have deeper conversations and spend more time learning from each other intellectually.
Although they are still strongly attracted to each other, they are able to converse without being sexually distracted.
But at this point, you may also find that your mistakes increase a bit. Of course they were there all the time, you just didn't want to see them!
After the first few months of being so madly in love with your new boyfriend that you do everything you can to avoid arguments, you start to realize that you're not perfect after all. This is one of the phases of a relationship that basically decides whether you do it or not. [Read:13 new relationship mistakes couples make all the time]
However, this phase is also healthy because the pressure is relieved. You no longer feel the need to be the image of perfection and you can see that the other person isn't perfect either.
Stage 3. The relationship stage of the disorders: 18 months to 5 years
This phase usually paves the way for a happy romance after a few months of happy courtship. The honeymoon phase is coming to an end and this phase of the relationship eventually turns into love.
Do you remember the first angry fight or disagreement you and your partner had? For the first time in their relationship, the two clash over a conflict, though it's quickly resolved. [Read:The First Fight in a Relationship: 15 Things You Should Do Immediately After]
At this stage you begin to realize that you are human and not perfect. There can still be disappointments and conflicts. However, he begins to find ways to deal with them by communicating in a way that works for both of them.
However, for some people, this stage is one of the most difficult as communication can be difficult.
At this stage, some couples break up if they can't get over it. [Read:21 new relationship questions to help you bond from the start]
Stage 4. The opinion-forming phase of the relationship: from 3 months to several years
At this stage you both form opinions about each other. As the months pass, you both know what to expect from each other and take on your partner's commitment to the relationship.
You've been together for a while. You both begin to understand who you are, what your opinions are, and what you want out of the relationship.
Some people are disappointed when they find that reality is not what they imagined. For example, your partner may be less committed than you originally thought. [Read:60 questions to meet you for a new romance]
Stage 5. The phase of relationship formation - 1 year to several years
You have your own expectations of an ideal partner. And in this phase, you both strive to mold each other to meet your own needs into a perfect match.
No one likes this stage because this stage of the relationship is all about getting your partner to subtly change their behavior or habits to suit their own needs and convenience.
But as irritating as this stage is, it's an inevitable part of the relationship because it helps you both understand each other's expectations of the relationship.
This stage is very give and take, and both partners are constantly trying to subtly get each other to change their behavior towards the relationship. This is a power struggle and can end the relationship if both partners are dominant. [Read:20 big issues that separate a couple or bring them closer in love]
Now, we don't mean to "fix" your partner because we all know that's impossible. But we'd say it's more of a molding. At this point you work on the relationship and try to improve some aspects like behavioral issues in order to have the best relationship possible.
It is at this stage in a relationship that you learn to compromise and to decide if that is what you want. [Read:How to make your partner better ... or is it possible?]
Stage 6. The happily united phase of a relationship - 3 to 5 years
If the relationship survives past the form phase, the two of you may have become equally close and understand each other's expectations. At this stage, the relationship is going perfectly and you both can be happy together.
Almost always, this is the stage when you both feel like a perfect couple. You may even decide to get engaged or married. This happy phase is also the bonding phase, when you both feel really connected and love each other intensely. [Read:How to propose to him by reading his mind]
Stage 7. The stage of doubt - 1 year to several years
It's been a year or more since the two of you were in a relationship. And at some point, doubts creep in. The intensity of the doubts depends on how happy you both are in your relationship.
You start thinking about your past relationships, your ex and other potential partners. You connect your happiness in life with your relationship. If you're not happy, you blame the relationship.
This is the time when all positive and negative qualities of your partner will be solidified in the long-term relationship. You will learn what you can expect from your partner and what you know for sure that your partner cannot give you.
At this stage, you begin to compare your relationship to other couples and other relationships. Would their relationship survive this phase? It definitely could, as long as your relationship isn't boring and monotonous. [Read:How to become a happy couple that will be the envy of all other couples]
Change is a long-term process that can take years. Of course, there may be aspects about your partner that you don't like, and that's okay.
At this stage, look at these mistakes and see if they are mistakes you can handle in a long-term relationship. Quarrels are common at this stage, and the survival of the relationship depends on the couple's willingness to work together. [Read:How to show commitment in a relationship and make him feel safe]
Stage 8. The stage of sexual exploitation or relationship failure – 3 months to 2 years
This is the phase of the relationship where your sex life begins to play a key role. Both sex drives can change orOne of you might lose interest in sexwith your buddy
At this stage, you either give up passionate sex and settle for boring sex from time to time, or you're constantly looking for ways to make sex more exciting. If sexual interests diverge here, one of you could be having an affair or shying away from masturbation.
But then again, if you findcreative ways to make sex more exciting, your relationship can improve and bring you both closer. This is the phase of the relationship where you can either carry on as horny bunnies and make all the other couples jealous or become one of those couples who spend time together and do different things.
The general consensus is that sex can become routine in a relationship between three months and two years. But a lot of people say it gets a little boring after six months. This happens after the infatuation phase. Both decide to explore and experiment with sex or just dry off. [Read:19 naughty foreplay sex games for couples for instant horniness]
Level 9. The level of total trust in a relationship - 1 to 5 years
This is the happy phase where you both love and trust each other completely. At the same time, however, an unshakable mutual trust can developtake each other for granted.
They've been through enough experience to know that they have each other's backs no matter what. This is an amazing place to be in a relationship.
However, this step is entirely up to you andAreprevious experiences. Some people take longer to build trust, while others can easily trust new relationships. [Read:How men fall in love - The 7 phases of man love]
At this stage in the relationship, both know where the relationship is going and both are perfectly happy with each other and find it easy to predict the other's behavior and decisions. But with stability in love comes a desire to take each other for granted.
As pleasant and happy as this final phase of love is, it is no excuse to be taken lightly or not appreciated, for love is an intense emotion that can be rekindled by another person anytime you desire it can't express. Love. Romance for your lover.
Stage 10. The commitment phase – 2 years to several years
They got to know each other on a deeper level and developed a deep trust. And now they want to bond with each other. You've found the person you want to connect with and you're ready to take the next step and make it official.
Most couples get married after two years of marriage. However, here again it depends on the couple.
This is also a growth phase. They've decided to stay together and continue their future together, and that's nice. Now you're ready to keep growing. You have a strong and healthy foundation for the relationship and you continue to work on yourself and your relationship issues. [Read:What is attachment in a relationship and how do you know if you have it?]
How long does each phase of the relationship last?
We've given an estimate of how long each stage will last, but that depends a lot on the couple. It also depends on what is going on in and around the relationship. There is no “one size fits all” answer here.
The biggest problem most couples face is the lack of romance as the relationship progresses. It can't all be as magical and sprinkled with fairy dust as it was in the first phase. You would be exhausted in the long run!
It could also be that a lack of romance can drive a couple into each other's arms. If so, you must be asking yourself what they are really looking for in a relationship. [Read:30 naughty questions for couples to keep the sexy spark alive]
It's important to remember that the connection you have is far more important than a quick thrill. Perhaps this is one of the main reasonswhy relationships failbecause couples don't understand that constantly jumping on each other isn't something that can be sustained for more than a few months at a time.
After that, you begin to develop an emotional connection that is far more valuable and far more important than anything related to lust. [Read:21 Secret Signs Of A Bad Relationship That Predict A Bad Future Together]
What makes a relationship successful?
As we all know, some people don't survive the first date while others live happily ever after for 50 years or more. So what's the difference? Why do some people reach the growth stage and others break apart much sooner?
If you want to know how to get through all the rough patches in a relationship, here are some things you must have. These are the components of a successful relationship. [Read:16 secrets to a perfectly happy relationship]
1. Effective conflict management
Most people dislike conflict and try to avoid it. But it's almost impossible to avoid disagreements in a relationship. So what makes some couples different from others? What matters is how they deal with conflicts.
Successful couples, going through all stages of a relationship, know how to resolve their conflicts calmly, rationally, and with love. They do not yell, swear, or humiliate their partner.
Instead, they act as a team and try to find solutions that work for both people. They see each other as a unit, not as enemies. [Read:How to stop fighting in a relationship and 16 steps to start talking]
2. Sexual Compatibility
In the initial phase of the relationship, especially in the infatuation phase, sexual desire is usually very high. Most people can't keep their hands off each other and are obsessed with having sex with their partners. But of course it happens and it doesn't last forever. [Read:Sexual Compatibility: 13 Hot Ways to Know If You Have It]
So in order to be able to have a happy relationship in the long term, both people must be sexually compatible. This includes everything from the frequency of intercourse to the type of intercourse.
Are you vanilla boy? Or do you both like filming? In any case, both people must really be on the same sexual page.
3. Equal values and morals
At the beginning of a relationship, your only focus is on sexual desire and having fun with your new partner. But if you want your relationship to be long-lasting and deep and committed, you must share the same morals, values, and worldview in life.
Areas where you must comply are things like religion, politics, honesty, integrity and more. While it's possible for a liberal to date a conservative, they may not get along. The same can be true for a Muslim and a Christian.
It's not that it's impossible, but the more likely you are to have a successful relationship, the more similar your worldview will be. [Read:Relationship compatibility signs to test your love match]
4. Similar personalities
As the saying goes, “opposites attract”. Well, do they really? You may be attracted to each other at first, but that may not last long. Iftwo people are opposites in personalitys, they may wish they didn't have so many differences.
For example, if one partner is introverted and homey but the other is outgoing and outgoing, this could cause problems.
The extrovert won't understand why the introvert doesn't date and socialize with them. And the introvert can get hurt because the extrovert always wants to go out with their friends and leave them behind.
If you want to go through the main stages of the relationship, you need to understand the personality of the other person. [Read:30 traits that make you a typical Type A personality]
5. Same relationship goals
Some people just want to have an affair or friendship with benefits. And if these two people really want it, the relationship will be good. But if one of them wants this situation, but the other is looking for marriage and children, it probably won't work out.
That's why it's important to talk about these desires early in a relationship. You don't want to spend years and suddenly realize that you want completely different things from this relationship, do you? Of course not. [Read:Relationship Goals: 27 Real And Fake Things You Want In A Relationship]
6. No Abuse
Unfortunately, some people think abuse is a natural part of a relationship. Maybe they grew up in a home where their parents abused each other, or just *the bully and the bully*. If this is true, they may also attract an abusive partner.
But successful relationships have no room for abuse. There is mental, psychological and physical abuse. All of them are very harmful to the people in the relationship.
Therefore, you must be able to stand up for yourself and be aware of negative behaviors that you and your partner exhibit to ensure the relationship is loving. [Read:Narcissistic Abuse: 16 Subtle Signs A Narcissist Is Abusing You]
7. No toxicity
While abuse is inherently toxic, you don't have to be abused for a while.relationship is toxic. This can have several reasons.
For example, someone tends to withdraw and withhold love or sex from their partner when they get angry. Or maybe one of them plays video games 24/7 or uses drugs or alcohol on a regular basis.
All of these things can cause problems and drama in a relationship. It's incredibly difficult for a relationship to survive when it's toxic. [Read:The 15 types of toxic relationships, what causes them and how to get out]
8. Love and affection
When you have love and affection in your relationship, it is much less likely to be abusive or toxic. It is important to know your partner's love language and he/she yours. It will make you both happy.
Saying "I love you," giving compliments and gifts, touching your partner, doing nice things for them, and spending quality time together are great ways to keep love alive in a long-term relationship. [Read:Love and affection: the magic spark in long-term relationships]
9. True friendship
The basis of any successful relationship is a solid and genuine friendship. It is important that you are each other's best friends. When that happens, it's much easier to get through the relationship phase successfully.
Don't let your past affect your current relationship
For the few who make it to the final stages of the relationship, this is the goal forever. However, does this mean that the relationship really lasts forever? Not always.
Every relationship has its problems. It is important that you do not try to compare yours to someone else's.
Again, this is another problem for couples because they wonder why they are not doing and feeling the same as another couple. The reason? Because you're not the same people.
The stages of the relationship are different for everyone to some degree. Your experiences will be different because of your unique personality traits and the history you lived through. [Read:How to keep a relationship going when you feel like it's ending]
Your past experiences will always affect your relationships in some way. But the key is to prevent these influences from becoming negative. In the second and third phase of the relationship, when most of the conflict and turbulence occurs, legacy issues can cause major problems in some relationships.
It's important to remember that your new relationship is completely different than anything you've experienced in the past and that your new partner is not your ex.
[File:The 17 secret ingredients for a happy and monogamous relationship]
See these stages in your relationship as stepping stones to a brighter future filled with love and happiness, as long as you both remember to always keep love alive.
Did you like what you just read? follow usInstagram Facebook blood Interestand we promise we will be your lucky charm for a beautiful love life.