“I don’t want to ruin what we have by putting too much pressure on it.”
“I’m not sure if I’m ready to be exclusive.”
“I’m not looking for anything serious.”
“I like spending time with you, but I’m not sure what I want.”
“I’m not seeing anyone else, but I’m not ready to commit to you either.”
“Let’s just see where this goes.”
Are such sentences sounding familiar to you? Then this article is what you need to read right now. You might be in a situationship without even knowing it.
Table of Contents
What is a Situationship?
A situationship is when you have a romantic relationship where the status of your relationship is not defined. It is an undefined, unlabeled, non-committed relationship that is mostly sexual or casual in nature.
Sometimes this situationship may be a mutual decision but sometimes it so happens that you do not even know but you are stuck in such a relationship, where you give your 100% in a relationship while the other person is not ready to commit.
Situationship Vs Dating
Here is how a situationship is different than dating :
The first and foremost difference between situationship and dating is that while dating the status of the relationship is defined. Both partners know well the rules of dating and the boundaries of the relationship are also set. While in a situationship mostly both partners do not know where the relationship is going, what expectations one should have and where one should set the boundaries.
The level of commitment in a situationship and in dating also differ. Dating involves a deeper connection and a stronger commitment. Situationships on the other hand may have weaker commitments or no commitments at all.
Dating offers more clarity about the relationship and its future. It is hence good for people who want a long-term relationship. A situationship is short-term and temporary. It gives you more freedom of moving in and out of the relationship.
Signs That Show You Are in a Situationship
Here is how you can identify if you are in a situationship:
How To Get Out of an Unwanted Situationship
While a situationship can be a mutual unsaid decision between two people, sometimes you may get into one without knowing it consciously. Sometimes it may happen that you get into a relationship with more expectations while your partner may not be ready for it. This can create stress and also lead the relationship to become toxic.
Getting out of a situationship can be challenging, especially if you’ve developed feelings for your partner. However, it’s important to remember that you deserve to be in a relationship that meets your needs and provides you with the emotional support and commitment you desire. Here are some steps to help you get out of a situationship:
1. Accept your feelings and acknowledge them: It is not right or wrong to feel a certain way. Make sure you are fully aware of your emotions. Be honest with yourself about whether this situationship/ relationship is meeting your needs or is it taking away more from you than it can give back.
2. Communicate honestly: Have an honest conversation. If you have decided that you want to end this situationship for the better, you need to have an honest conversation with your partner. Communicate clearly your needs and issues. Make sure you give them closure and have one for yourself.
3. Set Boundaries: There may be situations when your partner does not want to end things and may persuade you to stay in the situationship. You should set clear boundaries and declare them to your partner.
4. Focus on self-care: Anything and everything that is hampering your peace of mind and impacting you negatively in any way need to go. The most important thing is self-care. Take some time out of your busy world and the toxicity of relations. This time needs to be only yours. Focus on things that you love, that help you grow and all this should be without bothering about the world. (Learn more about self-care here )
5. Do not hesitate to take support: Taking help from others is not a bad thing. If you are in a situation of cofusion or you need any kind of support you can always turn to people who are your well wishers. If you do not want to discuss your conditions with known people or you are not comfortable with and friends or family you can always connect for professional help to a counselor or coach.
Remember, getting out of a situationship can be difficult, but it’s important to prioritize your own needs and happiness. By taking the steps above, you can begin to move on from the situationship and find a relationship that provides you with the emotional support and commitment you desire.
How Can a Situationship Benefit You?
Situationship is not all bad if both partners are on the same page. A successful situationship can provide a lot of benefits, some of which are listed below:
1.Freedom and Independence: Being in a situationship keeps you away from the burden of expectations that many relationships carry. It can help you focus more on yourself and your own growth both personally and in your career.
2.Emotional companionship: At the end of the day, you do have someone to talk to and that is one of the major benefits that a situationship gives you.
3.Physical companionship: Physical intimacy releases hormones like oxytocin and endorphins, which can help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve overall well-being. It can serve as a way to unwind and escape from the pressures of daily life.
4.Exploration and self-discovery: A situationship can help you identify the various dynamic of different relations and help discover your needs from a relationship. It offers an opportunity to learn about one’s preferences, boundaries, and compatibility without the immediate commitment associated with a traditional relationship.
5.Being in the moment: In a situationship you can avoid all the pressure of creating a future together and just live in the moment. enjoy and explore this kind of relationship without any complications of thinking about what will happen next.
Situationships may have their benefits but they may not be suitable for everyone. Communication, honesty, and clear expectations are crucial to ensuring that both partners are on the same page and content with the arrangement.