Going Steady: Signs You’re in a Serious Relationship

Your partner doesn’t feel like a passerby in your life anymore. It finally feels like you’re in a serious relationship.

Dating is like a box of chocolates; you’ll never know what you’ll get.

Sometimes, a person comes and goes. Other times, they seem like the real deal, but things still don’t work out. Then, there comes someone you never expected, but it turns out they want to stay, and surprisingly, you feel the same way.

Before you know it, things get serious, and you find yourself ready for a fully committed relationship .

It doesn’t always end up this way, though. And if you’ve been in several casual or failed relationships, you might have doubts about whether you’re now truly in a serious one.

However, couples who are exclusive and emotionally invested in each other share several characteristics that can help you determine if you’re finally in a serious relationship.

Learn about these signs and prepare yourself for the bliss and challenges of a committed, long-term relationship.

1. You prioritize each other’s needs.

What does it mean to be in a serious relationship?

You’re no longer in it just for fun. Yes, it’s still exciting and passionate, but more than that, you’re willing to work hard for growth.

This includes prioritizing your partner’s needs as they likewise prioritize yours. You’re also mature enough to sacrifice your pleasures to accommodate their need to talk, rest, or do something else that wasn’t on your agenda.

You willingly do so because you care about them and sincerely want the best for them.

2. You’ve met the family.

Meeting each other’s families is something you never do with casual dates because you don’t expect them to stick around. But when you’re in a serious relationship, your partner becomes a part of your life.

Because of this, you integrate them into your schedule, activities, and even your family. You talk about them with your parents and siblings.

Meanwhile, they’re on a first-name basis with your loved ones and are often invited to family gatherings.

This step indicates that you see your relationship as important and lasting.

3. You include them in your decisions.

Now that you have a constant companion, their presence, preferences, and opinions become valuable to you. You want to know what they think about the decisions you need to make and seek their support.

You don’t want to do something disagreeable or hurtful to your partner. Instead, you weigh things and decide together because you know you’re equally affected by any change in either person’s life.

4. You want to resolve conflicts.

You think of your relationship as long-term and don’t threaten a breakup in every argument. Instead, you’re more patient and forgiving. You discuss problems more openly and try to understand each other’s sides.

And because you know each other better, you resolve conflicts with less stress and drama. Moreover, you take responsibility for working things out because now, you’re more afraid of losing them than losing a fight.

Serious Relationships Can Be Demanding

If you see these signs of a serious relationship, you can finally feel at ease.

Things will feel lighter because of your stability and mutual commitment. But at the same time, it can be more demanding because of the maturity and responsibility you need to sustain it.

Because the truth is, you won’t just happen to stumble into a serious relationship like a box of chocolates. It becomes one because of your willingness and hard work to make it happen.