Whether you are dating someone new or have been with your significant other for years, there are five stages that every relationship goes through. Understanding these stages can help you determine if your relationship is going to last or not.
The Attraction Stage
Often, relationships begin with the excitement of attraction. This can be a rush of dopamine that kicks in your brain’s reward center, sending your hormone levels up and your heart rate up. However, these feelings can wear off over time and eventually lead to conflict.
The Reality Stage
After you’ve passed the attraction stage, you start to see your partner as a human being, not just someone you like. This can be a tough and confusing period, but it’s one that can teach you a lot about yourself as well as your partner.
This is the time to learn about each other’s flaws and to be honest with one another. During this stage, you can also discuss how you want to live your lives together and decide where your future is heading.
The Commitment Phase
As you progress through this stage, you realize that your partner is not just a person you like, they’re a whole other person with their own set of flaws, dreams, goals and needs. You realize that you can be a team and commit to each other with all of your hearts.
The Intimacy Stage
Once you’ve bonded with your partner, this is the stage where true love begins. This can be one of the hardest stages to get through as you both become vulnerable with each other and start learning about your past and your deeper feelings.
You’ll be able to feel safe with your partner and be able to let go of the past in order to move forward with them. This is when you can share your fears, dreams and desires with them and truly connect with them in a new way.
The Engagement Stage
Once your relationship has made it through the first three stages, you’re ready to take it to the next level. This can mean things like moving in together, having children and making a long-term commitment to each other.
The engagement stage can be difficult as you try to figure out where you are in life and where your future is headed. You might find it difficult to be alone and have to make compromises or sacrifices for the sake of your relationship.
But if you and your partner are committed to each other, it’s worth the effort. You’ll know you’ve found the right person for you when you are able to spend your life with them and be happy with it.
It’s a scary and exciting time for both parties, but it can be the best thing that’s ever happened to you. You finally have a person that understands you and your struggles.
As you enter the fifth stage of a relationship, you and your partner are starting to form a strong bond that will endure for years to come. This is the stage where you can see how much work you’ve put in and how hard you’ve worked to build a lasting connection with your partner.
