Have you ever wondered why your relationship seem to get into a different form after some time? And how a beautiful romance can end abruptly just as you thought you’re already comfortable with each other? While relationships can be an overwhelming, emotional engagement, it’s really hard to tell if you and your woman are meant to be together. As you go through the stages of relationship development
The key to understanding relationships even more (and know whether you and your woman are compatible) is by understanding each relationship stage every couple goes through. Here’s the five relationship stages based on the relational development model by communication scholar Mark L. Knapp.
Five Relationship Stages Couples Go Through
Stage 1: The Honeymoon
The first on stages of a dating relationship is the Honeymoon stage. It starts right after feelings about each other are verbalized or confirmed. You will both feel strongly attracted to each other and can get very physical when showing your feelings for each other. You always work around with your schedule to be able to spend more time with her, as often as possible. Same with her. Endorphins are high, and you will feel you are finally with the One.
Tip: You might not need any advice at this point. But it’s best to make sure you both understand that you are two personalities coming into the relationship. Agree on scheduling personal time, or a time-out to do things on your own even if your heart is telling you no (if you’re that in love with your girlfriend or lover). You’ll thank each other later.
Stage 2: The Accommodation
After around the 6-month relationship mark, you’d find yourself scrutinizing your woman’s habits, needs, and even her attitude. You’ll find out that some of your expectations in the relationship are way different in reality. So it depends on you and your woman if you are both willing to compromise.
Power struggles will also be evident during this phase, and you’ll quickly know who is seeking to wear the pants in the relationship. If you both have strong personalities, internal conflicts would show at this stage and might result in some intense quarrels.
Tip: Learn about problem-solving, conflict management, and communication with your woman. Psychotherapist Vikki Stark, who is also the director of the Sedona Counselling Center of Montreal, advised that you should never attack your partner’s character if you’re in an argument.
Stage 3: The Challenge
At this point, the relationship will intensify further, and so will internal conflicts. You will soon discover whether your relationship is strong enough to overcome challenges or not.
Disillusionment will set in, and you’ll start to question if you’re really in love with your woman. You might also find yourself getting attracted to someone else who’s completely different from your girlfriend or lover. In some cases, there is also the possibility you’d even compare her to a past love. If you share the same feeling, you’ll want to take things slow in your new relationship, or even break up.
Tip: In order to move forward from this stage, focus on being real and honest with each other about your intentions and desires. Communication and compromise again will work for you to get through this stage.
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Stage 4: The Crossroads Phase
In the relationship stages timeline, there’s really no such thing as an average relationship length before a breakup, but you’ll find yourself at a crossroads. At this stage in the relationship, you’ll find yourself putting more effort into the relationship to stay. On the other hand, you might find yourself struggling to stay and find a hard time working out your differences. This also rings true with long-distance relationships. You will also start seeking satisfaction elsewhere, according to this divorce lawyer.
Tip: Remind yourself that your relationship will never be perfect, or there is no such thing as a perfect couple. But if your woman is not willing to work things out, remember too, that a breakup can also be your release from an unhealthy relationship.
A fairytale relationship may be pretty and perfect and have a “happy” ending―but it is not real. https://t.co/3E0jw5N3RM #RelationshipAdvice pic.twitter.com/otbmHj0BnY
— Amazing Life Project (@AmazingLifeProj) May 30, 2017
Stage 5: Rebirth Phase
It has been estimated that only 15 percent of couples reach this stage. By this time, you both have now figured each other out. You already know which things to compromise and to accept. Communication is less formal and more open than before. You’ll also have an idea on how to work with each other should a new challenge comes.
The positive side of this Rebirth stage is you’ll appreciate your girlfriend and lover more for simply sticking it out with you. You will find yourself falling more in love than ever, and you’ll see both of you circling back to the Honeymoon stage as a stronger couple.
Tip: Savor every moment with your girl, and remember what you went through to arrive at this stage. This way, you’d pay more attention and be conscious of her should you go through a rough patch again.
A couple who has been together since 7th grade reveals the one tip that keeps their relationship strong https://t.co/bPrgm71GGx pic.twitter.com/x8mr6jnFp7
— INSIDER (@thisisinsider) April 24, 2017
Watch Dan Bacon of The Modern Man discuss more about these five stages of a relationship on YouTube below:
Bacon emphasized that the real prize of going through these stages of a relationship is that the love, respect, and the attraction you both have felt for each other at the very beginning will deepen over time. By then, you’ll soon find that blissful love you’ve been dreaming of all your life.
Which stage in the relationship are you most having difficulty with your woman with? Let us know in the comments below.
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