You're Not Feeling Up To It Anymore If you or your partner suddenly start coming up with excuses not to hang out, go out or do things together, then it may be a reflection of the end of the road. Situationships, or relationships, are mostly comprised of spending time together.
How long is a situationship supposed to last? Situationships can last for a few days, weeks, months, or even years. Just like in other relationships, there's no expiration date unless one or both of you choose to end the situationship and move on.
But the slow burn of a situationship coming to an end can be just as painful and it's important to acknowledge that, rather than minimising your feelings. It's really heartbreak over the loss of a fantasy – a wish, a longing, a projection that you had about them, a hope, rather than the person themselves.
As she says, “in situationships, there's often a lack of clear boundaries, commitment, and labels, making it difficult to know where each person stands”. This lack of clarity can mean you don't always get closure or an official breakup, and this in itself can make it harder to move on.
It's been three months or more. Three months is more than enough time to know if you want to commit to someone else. You have an idea of who each other is at this point. If they still “don't know” what they want or what they're looking for, it's in your best interests to walk away.
Now the good news is yes, yes you can turn a situationship into a relationship (huzzah!)
Situationships can be a fun and exciting way to explore your feelings without the pressure of a committed relationship. However, it's important to set clear rules and boundaries to avoid any confusion or hurt feelings.
Going no contact is only helpful for you to move forward. The no-contact rule will not make your situationship want to commit to you. Full stop. And I know it hurts so much they didn't want you the way you want them and I'm so sorry.
If both people are on the same page regarding the situationship, then it is fine. If the situationship leaves you confused, anxious, and changes you as a person, you might be in a toxic situationship.
Whereas FWB involves two consenting adults making a decision around desire, and sexual needs and fulfillment, a situationship is taking advantage of one person's strong desire to have a relationship and leading them on while having sex with them.
Unlike being in a relationship where you might have set dates and plans, a situationship is spontaneous and lacks consistency. You might see a person many times one week and then not see them again for a few weeks. "
According to Jaime Bronstein, a relationship expert living in Los Angeles, the end of a situationship can feel more painful than that of a long-term commitment since it's more likely to trigger feelings over “what could have been.” “You're in the honeymoon phase,” Bronstein told The Post.
“People who tend to gravitate towards situationships are those who want the emotional connection and intimacy with a partner in a compartmentalized way,” Romanoff explains. “They may have emotional presence and connection in person, but when apart, they also have freedom outside of a committed relationship.”
Aptly defined by Urban Dictionary as “less than a relationship, but more than a booty call,” a situationship can best be compared to a cold war. One person wants change, the other wants things to stay the same, and both parties are too comfortable to actually do anything about it.
Keep Firm Boundaries
If both parties agree on the situationship, they should also agree on those boundaries. You might draw a line that intimacy is only between you two, even if the emotions haven't evolved. You could insist that no social media photos are posted of you as a “couple.”
An curved arrow pointing right. Dating gurus on TikTok recommend a new rule to weed out incompatible partners. They call it the three-month rule, where people can evaluate potential partners for 90 days. They recommend not exclusively dating someone — or even kissing them — for these first months.
Situationships can have a significant impact on one's mental health. The lack of clarity and commitment can cause anxiety, uncertainty, and insecurity, leading to feelings of loneliness, depression, and low self-esteem.
“The mutually exclusive situationship to me means like you're not seeing anyone else,” said Liz, who, for the record, says she's never been in one but has had friends and partners in these types of relationships. “You're exclusive with them. You might be hooking up with them.
It happens between being introduced to someone and officially dating, and it can involve talking or texting for days – even months. The purpose of this stage is to have the opportunity to get to know someone before committing to a relationship with them.
First and foremost, if two people are in a situationship, it is a fact that one will be more attached than the other. Since there is no clear line or boundary for what a situationship should be and how one should handle it, it can result in emotional and mental trauma, just like it does during a breakup but worse.