It’s often impossible to understand where you stand in a romantic relationship unless you talk it through. A DTR gets your feelings out in the open and takes you from “just friends” to “dating” or an official “couple. " It might be time to have a DTR if you are considering dating other people or if you are considering getting physical (or already have). [2] X Research source
Sometimes it is ok to have a conversation in writing, for instance if you are very shy or afraid of putting the other person on the spot. In these situations, write out your feelings in a long-hand letter instead of typing or texting it. It will allow you to really convey your feelings in a personal way while still having the advantage of being able to edit your words before you send or deliver your letter.
Avoid being overly dramatic or trying to be especially romantic when you tell someone how you feel for the first time. While it might be cute in a movie, it really puts someone on the spot to have you declare undying love when they thought you were just friends. It’s better to be honest but a bit reserved if you think you’re falling in love with them. Try saying something like, “I love how much time we spend together. Is it just me, or are there some confusing feelings going on here? I think I’m starting to like you as more than just a friend. What about you?”
In some situations, for instance if you’ve been physically affectionate with this person, it might be ok to ask them to tell you what their intentions are if things are going to continue. But if you’ve only been friends to this point, they will most likely need some processing time.
If you’re dating someone, it is important that both partners are on the same page when it comes to issues like how often you will see each other, how often you’ll talk or text, how physically intimate you will be, and whether or not you will date other people. In marriage and work relationships, it is important to understand each person’s role and responsibilities to avoid feelings of resentment or confusion.
In a relationship, you should approach conflict and disagreement with the perspective that you are a team. Instead of viewing a disagreement as your chance to prove a point or win an argument, try to think of it as a challenge to come up with a mutually-beneficial solution. Don’t sit on negative feelings for too long without expressing them to your partner. Otherwise, you could become resentful. If you find yourself angry or sad about the relationship, think about why you’re feeling that way and then talk to your partner about it. Let them know how you feel and what you think could help.
Take time for yourself to recharge when you need to. It’s ok to have a night out with just your friends, or take an evening to read by yourself when you want to. Don’t be afraid to tell your partner what your needs are.
One person has more power or control than the other, and demands that the other person does what he or she says or wants. This can include limiting who the other person can spend time with, how they spend money, or how physically affectionate they are. One person (or both) becomes emotionally manipulative and tries to get the other to respond by creating feelings of guilt, pity, or jealousy. One person is a giver and the other person is just a taker. For example, a friend may always expect you to drop your plans for them, get them out of a bind, or be physically affectionate with no commitment.
It is important to remember that relationships are as individual and different as the people who are a part of them. There are different expectations in every relationship. Sometimes, these expectations are made clear by talking about them, but other times they are just unspoken rules that develop as people spend time together.
Some relationships are casual “acquaintances,” and include people you might pass in the halls and smile at or say, “Hello. " Acquaintances help you feel connected to the outside world, but they’re generally people you wouldn’t call up to hang out. The only expectation you have of your casual acquaintances is politeness. Other relationships are casual friends. You may have met by chance (for instance, because you are in the same class) and you may interact on a regular basis based on your shared interest or common schedule. You may chat with these people about surface-level topics, but you probably don’t know much about them as individuals. More intimate friends are the people you trust and choose to be with when you have a choice. These are the people that you feel that you can be yourself around, and you don’t have to worry about impressing them. Intimate friendships can require a lot of work to maintain, because you owe each other attention and time as part of your friendship. Best friends are those intimate friends who have proven to be faithful, loyal, and trustworthy; these are often relationships that have stood the test of time. Best friends feel as if they know each other inside out. Not everybody has or needs best friends, and that’s ok too.
True friends tell each other the truth and keep each other’s best interests in mind. You can know if someone is not really your friend if they lie to please you or to trick you, or if they undermine your efforts or don’t care about your successes. Friendships can take a lot of work to maintain. Try to make time every week to call or visit your friends just to stay caught up with their lives and let them know you’re thinking about them.
Some people enjoy dating casually and spending a lot of time with lots of different people, perhaps even becoming sexually intimate with lots of casual partners. This has the advantage of allowing you to find out what traits you like in a romantic partner, and it gives you a chance to develop your communication and other relationship skills without the pressure of commitment. Other people prefer to become very emotionally attached and committed to just one person. Eventually, most people hope to find someone they can commit to in a long-term relationship or marriage.
Try to treat everyone you work with with respect and kindness, even if they are not someone you would want to be friends with on a social basis. Your coworkers all have different life experiences that can be helpful in the workplace, so look for everyone’s strengths. Sometimes work relationships overlap with romantic or friend relationships, which can often be confusing (and in the case of romantic relationships, may sometimes be against your workplace rules). Remember to stay professional whenever you are at work, and treat everyone the same.
Romantic relationships give people a chance to open their hearts to someone else, and connect on a very intimate level. This person will see the good and bad sides of you, and love you anyway. Communication is key to keeping a romantic relationship healthy and happy. Because of the intimacy of romantic relationships, they can cause a lot of pain and heartache from misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and disappointment. Choose carefully who you open your heart to, but you also have to be willing to take some risks in the name of love. Otherwise, you might miss out on a great relationship.
