When you transition from “just seeing each other” to being “in a relationship” is a conundrum that has puzzled man since we first came down from the trees. That’s why there is nothing wrong with asking “when do you go from dating to a relationship”, because it is a big question with a big answer. It’s an art, not a science, but The Art of Charm is here to help you to start understanding where exactly the line is — and how you can influence it.
First Things First
Before we get into when exactly you know when you’re exclusive and “in a relationship,” let’s talk about some reasons to not get into a relationship.
- Never get into a relationship because you’re being pressured to.
- Never get into a relationship because you think it will “fix things.”
- Never get into a relationship because things are stalled out.
Those are the big three in terms of “don’t.” Now that we’ve gotten that unpleasantness out of the way, it’s time to talk in more positive terms.
You Want to Be Exclusive
It sounds obvious, but if it were, we wouldn’t have to say it: Do you want to be exclusive? Have you played the field a bit and found that most of what’s out there is lacking in as much as it’s not the girl you want to be with? This is the most straightforward and simple way to know if getting into a relationship is the right thing.
You Want to Take Things to the Next Level
You shouldn’t start a relationship if you want to fix things or if things have stalled out. But if things are going swimmingly and you can’t imagine them getting to the next level without being exclusive, it’s time to think about doing what you have to take things to the next level. While it’s important to cultivate an abundance mentality, it’s also good to know when you’ve found what it is you set out to find in the first place.
You’re Already Exclusive
A lot of times, dating someone in an exclusive relationship is just about formalizing something that’s already there. For example, if neither of you are dating anyone else, why not make it exclusive? It effectively already is. So what’s holding you back? If it’s that you’re still looking for something else out there, you might want to consider whether or not there are problems in the relationship you already have with her and whether or not it’s time to start thinking about moving on.
So, when do you go from dating to a relationship? When there’s no pressure, when you are ready for something more serious and when you’re close enough to know that she is the someone you want to share a more meaningful connection with — that’s when.
