Every relationship has its good moments and its bad. But there are common times in every relationship --especially in new ones-- that test the strength of your bond. These are those "make it or break it" moments that can bring a relationship into the next stage of its evolution... or kill it altogether. And funnily enough, most people don't even know where these "danger moments" lie. Want to know what early stages in a relationship are most likely to break it? Read on.
From Internet Dating to In-Person
If you meet somebody on an internet dating site, you'll generally spend time chatting with them via the internet and/or telephone before you meet them in person. For some couples, the transition between "internet dating relationship" and "traditional relationship" is a difficult one. If you simply meet people online and quickly go on live dates, this isn't so much of an issue. But if you spend a lot of time chatting with --and learning to like-- somebody online, the change in your relationship dynamic is sometimes hard to survive.
From "a Date" to "Dating."
So, you've gone out with somebody and had a wonderful time on your first date. In fact, it all went so well that you think the relationship is practically on rails. What could go wrong?
For some relationships, the transition between "we've had a few dates" and "we're dating" is a difficult one-- especially if one or both of the people concerned have issues or doubts about getting seriously involved. For some people, moving onto the 3rd or 4th date after a couple of casual dates is a relationship milestone-- and the last chance they have to cut and run before it gets serious. There may be a moment or two of doubt before the relationship can get back on track, so be sure to keep it light.
Coupledom
There's a difference between simply dating somebody, and calling them your boyfriend or girlfriend. And many relationships don't survive the transfer to "coupledom." It often goes like this: you've been seeing one another for quite some time, and have decided to make the relationship an exclusive one. But if you don't have a discussion about defining what you are to each other, your "exclusive" relationship may not be what you think, and you may call your new partner your boyfriend or girlfriend before they're ready.
In most relationships, this sort of thing works itself out naturally. But in others, it's a dangerous relationship moment. If one of you jumps the gun with the "-friend" word, it might scare the other off. When it comes to defining your relationship --especially in public-- go forward with caution. Want to know the secret to transition to coupledom without scaring your new partner off? Do it lightly. If you make it seem like a momentous occasion, your new boyfriend or girlfriend might just start trying to wiggle out of the label.
Getting Comfortable
There's something so exciting about dating somebody for the first time. You learn something new about somebody. You get to experience first kisses and first touches and first, well, everything. It's a feeling that most people just don't want to let go. Which makes the transition into a comfortable couple a dangerous one for some relationships. When the relationship begins to get quite comfortable (say, you show up at his or her house in your shabbiest clothes or do the same things together every weekend), the fun seems to be at an end. Want to avoid scaring your partner off with too much familiarity? Do something spontaneous and sexy to remind him or her that the romance isn't all over. And that they have plenty to look forward to.
