How many stages of a relationship are there? Does every relationship go through stages? Am I stuck in a rut? If you need help understanding the stages of a relationship, you're definitely not alone. Everyone has needed advice or help at one time or another, and it's not uncommon to feel like your relationship is going nowhere. Here's how to understand where you are, and how to propel your relationship to the next level.
Stage One: Courtship and Romance
The first of the five stages of a relationship is the "falling in love" stage. We tend to be completely infatuated with our newest lover, we think about him or her all the time, and we do all kinds of things to make ourselves seem more appealing to the person we're newly attached to.
If your relationship has moved beyond this stage, revisiting romance can be helpful. People grow and change within relationships, so take the opportunity to remind your partner why you're so special in the first place, and do whatever you can to make him or her feel loved.
Stage Two: Familiarization
In the second of the five stages of a relationship, people let their guard down. You start to learn more about the person you are with, and they start to learn more about you. You might find out that your boyfriend is really messy, or your girlfriend really is a horrible nail biter.
Getting over the familiarization stage is easy - as long as you're satisfied with each other. So long as each person is honest, this stage is a great place to learn how best to communicate with your partner, and it sets you up for better things to come.
Stage Three: Distress
The so-called "distress" phase is one of the most important stages of a relationship. It's the stage where you learn how to disagree with one another, and it's often the stage where many newer relationships end up breaking off due to irreconcilable differences.
Learning how to cope with disagreement within your relationship is important, and one thing you've got to remember is that every relationship is different. If you fought with your last partner, think about the lessons you learned so that you don't repeat similar mistakes again.
Stage Four: Stability
The stability, or friendship stage is one of the most crucial stages of a relationship, since it builds a strong foundation. When you make it to the stability stage, you learn much more about who your partner is, and you make new discoveries on a deeper level than you did in the first stage.
This phase can be treacherous in its own way - if you start to feel bored, you're not alone. If you want to make the most of the stability stage, keep on working to make yourself better, and be sure to give your partner the opportunity to do the same. Revisit romance, and you'll be fine.
Step Five: True Commitment
Once you've made it through the earliest stages of a relationship, you're ready for true commitment. At this stage, you've probably been through some ups and downs together, and you feel as though you can really depend on your partner.
Even though you're committed to each other, be sure not to stop taking care of yourself. Keep learning and growing, and be sure that you take the time to experience new things together - you'll truly enjoy all the best life has to offer
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