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S omewhere between great love and no strings attached lies a category of relationship that needs a bit more defining. It includes going on dates, having sex, and building intimacy without a clear objective in mind. Coined by Carina Hsieh inwhen the use of dating apps was on the riseit makes sense that as more and more people embarked on dating through swiping and matching that relationship statuses had to change as well.
What the two do have in common, though, is a lack of commitment and clearly defined roles. And that lack of commitment in situationships could actually have more freeing effects than one might think. Daters can choose an option that suits their needs best and are prompted to confirm or change their choice each week. But something has shifted over the last few years. For some, the need for flexibility and openness points to a trend that might be here to stay.
As a sex commitment dating coach, many of my dating clients work with me because they want long-term partnership, whatever that means to them. Staying open to people who may not dating exactly aligned with your initial dating goal makes things a little easier, and way more fun. Rather than berating yourself for exploring someone that catches your eye, you can embrace that dating for what it is. Some of my clients find themselves in long-distance situationships, and these relationships can be quite powerful, with the parties involved staying in touch for years.
Still, commitment may not be an option for either of them. The distance can make it too hard. This is slightly different from dating specifically to find a partner, see more when the focus is on building something long-term you commitment to have clarifying conversations along the way about where things are going.
Situationships can be the result of doing the exact opposite: Moving from moment to moment and date to date without the expectation that there is anything beyond that.
It may sound pessimistic, but all relationships end. When you focus more on how you feel now commitment less on where things are going, you give yourself space to take in all that your partner has to offer.
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You worry less and enjoy more. Sometimes people just prefer the visit web page structure of situationships. It may take the pressure off of having to figure out exactly where things are going according to the traditional expectations of how relationships develop. The fact that situationships have grown in demand points to a trend toward ambiguity.
Since situationships are a without of relationship, if you are trying to avoid becoming emotionally invested, this may not be for you. My clients feel the sting of ending a situationship the same way they feel it after a breakup.
What Does It Mean to Be Casually Dating—And Is It Right for You?
They may even experience the joys of starting to fall in love, or the pangs of jealousy throughout. This without all part of dating. So what do you do if you find yourself in undefined territory? First, consider if that works for you or if dating causes more anxiety than comfort.
Being in the gray area with someone can be beneficial. Contact us at letters time. Join Us. Customer Care. Reach Commitment. Connect with Us. Getty Images. By Myisha Battle. Battle is a certified clinical dating and sex and dating coach, educator, and speaker. We welcome outside contributions. Opinions expressed do not without reflect the views of TIME editors. Home U. All Rights Reserved. TIME may receive compensation for some without to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.