You may be trapped in a “situationship” if your partner avoids defining your relationship, is hesitant to talk about the next steps, keeps you in the dark, and you are continuously uncertain about the state of your connection.
A situationship is a romantic arrangement that is absent of partnership norms and expectations, and it also lacks commitment. Online dating apps have contributed to this tendency by making it simpler to overlook advances amid a sea of potential partners.
12 Signs that you are in a Situationship
- Communication is erratic and mostly occurs via text, with ambiguous response times and a doubt in your mind when you’ll get a reply or if they will respond next time.
- Being in a relationship once in awhile there is that feeling of vulnerability and deep conversations, but the emotional distance is felt, with little of the involvement in each other’s personal lives or emotional needs.
- The commitment period is low and many of the plans are made at the very last moment which suggests that there is little or no future-oriented thinking.
- In case of future plans or commitments, you encounter hesitation and even avoidance, which means they are not ready to invest into the relationship in the long run.
- You find that you are dealing with people on need basis. That is, you meet when it is convenient for both parties. You use general reasons for any cancellation and delay.
- Your bond is in a state of murkiness, in which you cannot define your position with respect to the other party.
- You have never brought up the subject of the other person in your friends or family, which enables you to keep the circles of your friends and families separate and compartmentalized.
- The unpredictability and inconsistency of their availability is one of the main reasons that makes them so hard to deal with. They could be available today, but not tomorrow, and it is nearly impossible to predict when they will be willing to spend time with you.
- Although you are both not seeing other people, there’s no conversation on being in a committed relationship, which creates uncertainty about the level of involvement in the relationship.
- The relationship is brought into the spotlight whenever an effort to discuss the state of the relationship is made; however, this is either avoided or deflected, which only serves to enhance the uncertainty.
- Unlike a relationship, where your time is mostly spent on activities that involve commitment and emotions, in a friend with benefits, you spend your time primarily on activities that require less commitment and emotional investment, like casual hangouts or hookups.
- Regardless of any efforts to define the implication of the relationship, it remains a mess for you, ultimately, to be in a state of constant uncertainty.
Good Sides of Situationship
The responsibilities of an exclusive relationship and the pressures of monogamy can both be lessened in a situationship. You might have more flexibility and opportunities for personal growth as a result. It can offer an opportunity to get to know someone before making a commitment. It may also free up more time for self-improvement activities like concentrating on one’s studies or profession. It may also offer the chance to interact with a range of individuals and investigate different relationship styles in order to determine which best suits your requirements and preferences.
“In the realm of relationships, a situationship is the twilight zone where emotions collide, leaving us stranded in the haze of uncertainty.”
– Dr. Michael Johnson, Psychologist
Negative Sides of Situationship
Being in the relationship with no commitment and no responsibilities can be initially thrilling, but in the long run it can make people to experience serious emotional distress and instability. The ever-increasing uncertainty of situationships might be a reason for a person to feel unconfident or even confused about their position in the relationship. This absence of clarity thus deepens the sense of remoteness and disconnect people from their own emotions, making it harder to regulate them. Without a clear grounded or expectation of the relationship, a situationship can be like walking on thin ice where emotional imbalance and turmoil can occur at any moment. Besides, the lack of boundaries may facilitate the appearance of misunderstandings, miscommunication and the fading of trust. Without the proper grounds of mutual recognition and respect, situationships will most likely lead to people feeling lonely, rejected and abandoned. To sum up, though the convenience of situationships may seem attractive, in the long run such relationships are usually at the expense of emotional well-being and stability.
How to Get Unhooked from Situationship
It is not a surprise that modern relationship management may appear like an impossible mission to many, especially when they are not familiar with the nuances of a situationship. Described as a type of relationship that does not have any commitment and not clear, a situation ship can push people to feel tired, doubtful, and unclear about the future of their connection. If you happen to be in a relationship that is going nowhere, you need to take some steps to get out of this venture because it can be tuff and on top of that it might also affect your emotional wellbeing.
First and the most important thing is to make sure that you are open to your feelings and at the same time accept them. Situationships, where you feel like there’s no way out, can leave you in a state of a various emotions such as confusion, irritation or even sadness. Being able to identify and acknowledge those feelings as normal reactions to your circumstances is the first thing to do on the strength path and the liberation from the bondage.
Any kind of relationship, whether it be a situational or platonic one, must have communication at its core. Have a conversation with your partner about the things that are bothering you and what you anticipate from them. Be truthful and forthright. Be open and honest about your thoughts and opinions, and at the same time, give them the opportunity to share their own worldview. In spite of the fact that having this kind of conversation could be extremely unsettling, it is absolutely necessary in order to have a shared understanding and may even be an opportunity to take the relationship to the next level.
Sometimes, it is more appropriate to cut the tie in order for your emotional health. However, this situation might be very difficult especially when you have developed special feelings for your dating partner. Therefore, it is important to let go of the things that don’t deserve your happiness and fulfillment. Own company of supportive friends and family members who can provide advice and inspiration in this critical moment will help get through. Have to deal with a sitchuation involving a situationship could be one of the most difficult and emotionally draining experiences on earth. On the contrary, notice and talk about your feelings, and please put your well-being first, and you can pass this particular test. Bear in mind that you are worthy of a relationship where your needs are met, and you are recognized emotionally. In case, you are not in such relationship, find the courage and strength to create a bonding that will be fulfilling for you.
