When it comes to romantic relationships, whether healthy or not, they evolve and change over time. In the beginning, the hormones are strong, and those little butterflies take over every time you see (or even think about) your new boo. After years together, you’re likely best friends, but you may or may not have days when you can’t stand your partner. That’s the way of love. It goes through phases. Depending on which expert you ask, they may list four, five, or even six stages of a relationship. Like pretty much everything else in life, there’s some gray area, but today we’re going to dive into the five most commonly acknowledged stages of love and how to handle each one.
Keeping Your Love Poppin’ With Adventures From Scratch
Ask literally any relationship expert about the key to a successful romance. Most of them are going to mention making a regular date night a priority during any stage of a relationship. Dating your partner well is a skill, especially after years together. That’s why we created Adventures From Scratch: Date Edition. This handy little gem is chock-full of fun and unique dates that are strategically crafted to deepen your bond and improve conversation! There just so happens to be 52ish adventures in it too… one for every week of the year!
The Five Stages of a Relationship and How to Navigate Them
Romantic relationships are a captivating blend of emotions, experiences, and growth. They follow a path, often marked by distinct stages, each offering its own set of joys, challenges, and opportunities for personal and relational development. Understanding these stages can offer insights into how to navigate them successfully, fostering a deeper and more enduring connection with your partner.
As we stated earlier, pretty much every article you read on the subject will have a different number of stages and different names for them. We’ll do our best to gather all the info together into stages that make sense, but just know that you may encounter differing information if you continue to study the subject beyond this article.
The stages aren’t concrete.
It’s also important to note that these stages may not always be linear. In fact, they often come and go within a long-term relationship. I myself have been married for just over 18 years, and in the more than 20 years I’ve been with my spouse, I’ve probably dipped in and out of the “honeymoon stage” with him more than a dozen times. Relationships, like grief or culture shock, don’t always follow a set path, and you’ll likely move in and out of many of these stages over time.
Also, every relationship is a unique social experiment. You and your partner may completely skip over some of the stages and dive right into a deeper one. You two may ignore the normal timeline and move much faster or slower than the average bears. That’s okay! Don’t use this article (or anyone else’s) to make judgments on your relationship. Instead, use the information below as a general guideline to help you anticipate what may be coming next and how to navigate the murky waters.
Stage 1: The Honeymoon Phase
The first stage of a romantic relationship is often characterized by a surge of intense emotions, commonly referred to as the honeymoon phase or the infatuation phase. At this stage, romance runs high, hearts race, and every moment spent together feels like a scene out of a fairy tale… for most couples. While some may have that instant chemistry, others may also experience intense awkwardness in this early stage. The honeymoon phase usually lasts up to six months.
Neurologically, this phase is driven by a rush of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. These chemicals create a euphoric feeling, causing us to experience increased energy, excitement, and an intense focus on our partner. In this initial stage, we tend to ignore red flags due to the excitement of a new love. It’s also common for both partners to be “putting their best foot forward.” Because we want this new person to like us, we cover up our bad qualities, enhance our good ones, and stay on our best behavior.
Navigating the Honeymoon Stage
Navigating this stage involves embracing the excitement while remaining grounded! Open communication is key—sharing your thoughts, dreams, and interests lays a solid foundation for the relationship. You don’t want to dump all your deepest, darkest secrets at this stage or overwhelm your new love interest with all your baggage. But keep it real. If your relationship is going to progress to the next level, you want it to be because you genuinely like each other for who you are, not who you’re pretending to be.
It’s also wise to guard your heart a bit and keep realistic expectations. While hormones run high and everything seems amazing on those first few dates, it’s smart to approach with caution. Acknowledging individual differences and enjoying the thrill of discovering each other’s company without losing oneself are crucial. Be on the lookout for red flags. Allow them to meet your friends and family casually. Pay attention to what your loved ones think, and ask if they don’t offer it up. If you have any serious concerns, take a step back. It’s much harder to do so once things progress to a deeper stage of the relationship.
Stage 2: The Uncertainty Stage
As the initial whirlwind settles, the relationship enters a phase of becoming a cohesive unit. This period involves getting to know each other on a deeper level and understanding quirks, preferences, and daily habits. It’s the second stage where the boundaries between infatuation and genuine compatibility become apparent. You have now discovered most of your partner’s flaws, and you wonder if they’re just annoyances or true incompatibilities.
It’s common in this stage for one or both partners to start experiencing doubts. As you discover the flaws in your mate and have your first arguments, it’s natural to question your compatibility. It’s also common for one or both parties to attempt to sabotage the relationship by dating other people or starting fights over trivial matters. Some may even initiate a temporary breakup to test the waters. When long-term love and monogamy are a real possibility, the reality of the seriousness of the situation will be overwhelming (or terrifying) for some people.
Navigating the Uncertainty Stage
To navigate this stage successfully, communication remains paramount. Being honest about needs, discussing expectations, and finding common ground strengthens the bond. Appreciate the uniqueness of each other while you weave together a shared narrative. Keep in mind that it’s natural to be somewhat afraid when things get serious.
It’s also important to practice self-care, not just at this juncture but in all the different stages. The key is to learn to balance independence with togetherness, discovering shared values and mutual interests while respecting individuality. It’s pertinent to truly contemplate your concerns. Are there red flags that point toward a controlling, abusive, or unhappy future? Or is your mate just not perfect like you thought? No human is perfect, and no relationship will be, either. Relationships are hard work, but you must decide if your differences are something you can work through together or if it would be better to part ways now.
Stage 3: The Power Struggle
If you move past the previous stage, you’ve likely decided to give this love a real go. This third stage could also be called the adjustment phase or the adaptation phase. As comfort and familiarity grow, conflicts and disagreements become more evident. This stage involves navigating through deeper differences, managing major conflicts, and finding ways to resolve the disputes that come with intimate relationships.
During this phase, issues like power dynamics, cultural differences, gender role expectations, and life goal variances that you’ve been ignoring bust through the surface. How couples handle these challenges often determines the longevity of the relationship. It’s a stage of vulnerability. You know each other well by this point. You know how to push each other’s buttons, which words hurt the most, and how to get a rise out of your partner. At this point, one or both partners may still have some doubts about making the relationship long-term. However, you’ve got a past together, and you’ve had good times, so most couples at this juncture have some will to make it work. It’s time to decide if you want to continue in this relationship or let it go.
Navigating the Power Struggle Stage
Couples in this stage (and the next) often stay together because of their past and the feelings of guilt that would accompany ending the relationship. Do a thorough assessment of why you’re choosing to stay, and if it’s not for the right reasons, then take a step back.
Professional guidance, such as couples counseling or a relationship coach, can be immensely beneficial during this stage as well. The focus should be on understanding perspectives, finding common ground, and fostering a supportive environment for growth. As you navigate this difficult time period, it’s also important to watch out for unhealthy habits forming. If you notice your partner storming out during an argument and never returning to finish the conversation, that’s a behavior you need to address. If you notice yourself giving your partner the silent treatment or holding a grudge for things they’ve already apologized for, that’s a behavior you need to keep in check moving forward.
If you’re going to move on to the next stage and make a real commitment to this relationship, you want to proceed with good habits and fair fighting techniques. You will have heated discussions throughout your romance. That doesn’t mean it’s not a good relationship. You just have to learn to fight fair.
Stage 4: The Commitment Stage
Also known as the decision phase or the partnership stage, in this period, you and your partner have navigated through conflicts, and the relationship evolves into a phase of deeper commitment. You’re past wondering if this person is right for you. You’ve weathered the storms, learned to fight beneficially, and come out of the woods together (possibly mangled and ragged). Trust and understanding solidify, and partners begin to plan for a future together. Conversations about long-term goals, shared dreams, and mutual commitments take center stage.
If you’re going to get married, have children, or move in together permanently, you’ll begin to seriously discuss those in the fourth stage. The fact that you can start to design your future as a unit says a lot about what you’ve been through together. This stage is full of big decisions, but each one that you make together will deepen your bond and excite you for the future.
Navigating the Commitment Stage
Celebrating milestones becomes important during this stage. It’s about acknowledging growth, expressing gratitude, and reinforcing the emotional connection. Continuously nurturing the relationship through surprise gestures, shared experiences, and ongoing communication helps solidify the bond.
This a great time to initiate a weekly date night to keep the spark alive. It’s time to discuss finances in depth and how you’ll handle your money and assets. It’s not uncommon for your sex life to need a little freshening up at this point if you’re sexually active. Basically, you’ve decided to go for it, so it’s time to clean up the sharp edges and build something together that you’re both happy to dwell in for the long haul!
Stage 5: The Partner Stage
Reaching the pinnacle of the relationship journey involves a deep sense of security, trust, and unwavering commitment. Couples who make it to the fifth stage have weathered storms together, emerged stronger, and built an enduring love. You’re best friends, ride or dies, and each other’s biggest supporters at this point. Way to go—you’ve done it! But remember, phases are cyclical or come in waves. You’re not out of the woods completely. It’s a winding path full of little snags and hidden predators. The challenge to a long-term love is maintenance and growth!
Navigating the Partner Phase
To sustain this level of connection, couples must continue nurturing the relationship in the final stage. This involves continuous communication, adaptability, and a willingness to grow individually and as a unit. Embracing life’s ups and downs as a team and fostering an environment of mutual support are key factors in maintaining lasting love.
In this stage, life is going to throw some of its most powerful poop storms your way. Thankfully, you don’t have to endure them alone. You must vigorously protect your mental health and your partner’s mental health, especially if children come into the mix. You’re going to go through parenting challenges, financial difficulties, family drama, sickness, mid-life crises, empty-nest syndrome, and God knows what else. Strive to tackle the mountains together. There will be times when your partner feels like the enemy, but they aren’t. They’re your greatest ally. Rely on them. Uplift them. Encourage them, and feed off each other’s strengths.
Beyond the Stages: Continual Growth and Evolution
While the five stages offer a framework, relationships are not static. They continue to evolve and grow for their entirety. Maintaining a healthy relationship involves ongoing effort, commitment, and adaptability on the part of both partners. Your personalities will change in some ways. Your goals will evolve, and your interests will migrate. Sustaining a healthy relationship involves personal growth. Partners should continue to invest in themselves, pursuing individual interests, hobbies, and self-improvement endeavors. This not only enriches personal lives but also contributes positively to the relationship dynamic. Change is normal, but true partners adapt with one another, encouraging personal growth and not hindering it.
Moreover, communication remains the cornerstone of a thriving relationship at every stage. Open, honest, and respectful communication fosters understanding, strengthens emotional bonds, and resolves conflicts effectively. If you find that you’re lacking mature communication skills, take a few hints from “How to Fix Lack of Communication in a Relationship.”
Lastly, give yourself a break every now and then. Nobody is perfect, and you’re going to be a bad partner every now and then. You’re going to lose your temper, mess up, or be selfish. So will your partner. The key is to recognize it, apologize, and move forward with mutual respect and love.
Closing Thoughts
Researching and attempting to understand the stages of a relationship provide you with valuable insights into the journey ahead. Each relationship is unique, and yours likely won’t follow these stages perfectly. But you now have a good framework to go by. Each stage presents its unique challenges; they also offer opportunities for growth, connection, and shared experiences.
By navigating through these stages with patience, empathy, and a willingness to evolve, couples can cultivate a relationship that stands the test of time. Remember, the true essence of a fulfilling relationship lies not just in reaching a particular stage but in cherishing the journey together. Constantly striving to get to a new place—a deeper place, an easier place—will cause you to miss out on the lessons and the joys of the phase you’re currently in. So, take a deep breath, slow down, and enjoy the full journey of your romance. It’s an adventure worth waiting for, working for, and savoring every step of!
Frequently Asked Questions
While sources and names vary, the basic five stages of a relationship are the honeymoon phase, the uncertainty stage, the power struggle, the commitment phase, and the partner phase.
The honeymoon phase is the initial stage of a new romance where the love hormones create a sense of infatuation, intense attraction, and a need to be together whenever possible.
Relationships go through stages, and you won’t always feel the love. Nurture your romance by exercising healthy communication, prioritizing date nights, and working through hard times as a team!
Some experts state anywhere from four to six stages in a relationship. Most agree on at least five: honeymoon, uncertainty, power struggle, commitment, and partner phases.
All relationships go through stages, but not through the same number, in the same way, or according to the same timeline. Experts agree that all stages should prioritize date nights, though.