10 Ways To Stop The Situationship Cycle & 10 Strategies For Finding Something Real
Stuck In Undefined Territory?
Situationships may be the new normal in modern dating, but at a certain point, they start to feel empty. Are you ready to invest in a genuine relationship? With some clarity, boundaries, and intentional action, you can stop repeating old patterns and start attracting something real. Here are 10 ways to end the endless loop of situationships and 10 practical strategies for finding true love.
1. Clearly Define What You Want
Situationships are usually the product of indecision. That's why the first and most important step to breaking the situationship cycle is to figure out what and who you want.
2. Communicate Honestly
Once you've defined what you're looking for, communicate it honestly to your prospective partners. You might come off intense, but if they're scared off by that, they're clearly not the right person.
3. Don't Invest Time On The Wrong Person
Too many of us start dating someone who we like but who's wrong for us. Before we know it, we've devoted hours to a relationship that isn't going anywhere. Instead, ask the right questions early on and be prepared to walk away so you don't waste your time and energy.
4. Don't Ignore Red Flags
Recognize red flags that say you're heading into a situationship. This can be your partner's words not matching their actions, deflecting when you try to talk about where this is going, or avoiding making plans for the future.
5. Prioritize Yourself
Prioritize your needs and desires over your romantic partner's. Know your self-worth and be confident in your value so you don't accept a half-hearted commitment.
6. Set Boundaries Early
Establish boundaries early on to ensure mutual respect and mitigate the chance that one of you gets hurt. Part of setting boundaries is outlining your expectations. If yours and theirs don't meet, it's a good indication you should call it quits.
7. Date With Intention
Be intentional with your dating by only choosing partners who want the same thing as you. This helps you narrow your options down right away instead of floating around having fun dates that go nowhere.
8. Recognize Your Patterns
Recognizing your patterns is the first step to changing your ways. This might include asking yourself some difficult questions to determine why you keep falling into undefined, empty relationships.
9. Don't Be Overly Accessible
To ensure your partner takes you seriously, avoid being overly accessible too early on. If they're serious about you, they'll put the work and time in to genuinely get to know you.
10. Don't Get Emotionally Invested Too Soon
It's easy to get stuck in the feels without more careful consideration, but avoid getting too wrapped up in your emotions too soon. When feelings hit you like that, it's often just surface-level attraction in disguise as true love.
Now that we've covered how to stop the situationship cycle, let's talk about strategies for finding the love of your life.
1. Get On The Right Apps
Ditch Tinder and get on apps like Hinge or eHarmony that are focused more on compatibility than surface-level attraction. Because there's a degree of filtering, the right apps can be effective tools for connecting you with good potential partners.
2. Go Slow
You might feel anxious to find the right partner, especially if you are serious about starting a family. However, trying to speed up the process will only give your potential partners the wrong impression.
3. Be Your Best Self
Strive for personal growth and be your best self, not just in a performative manner. This sets a high standard for the type of person you will attract.
4. Be Authentic
The most important step to finding the right partner is to be your authentic self. If you pretend to be someone you're not, you'll end up unhappy in the wrong relationship.
5. Love Yourself
How do you expect to be loved by someone if you don't love yourself? If you haven't mastered this step, you're not ready to even think about dating.
6. Be Approachable
Perhaps the reason you're single is that people feel intimidated by you. Be approachable by radiating positive energy and happiness while preserving your authenticity.
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7. Put Yourself Out There
You can't expect to meet people if you aren't putting yourself out there in whatever way you feel most comfortable with. It can be through online dating, social events, or through friends.
8. Pursue Your Passions
Pursuing your passions isn't just about forgetting the fact that you're still single. It's a great way to meet like-minded people with similar interests while boosting your confidence.
9. Be Patient
Great things take time. Take time to build meaningful connections and don't rush into things. True love is a journey that takes patience and effort.
10. Build A Life You Love
Build a life you love before getting involved in a serious relationship. If you want to attract a whole person, be a whole person. It's easier to be your best self, love yourself, and be an attractive, positive person if you have your ducks in a row.
