Relationships are what tend to give life meaning. From the ties shared with family members to the bonds forged with friends and romantic partners, the people you know provide support, comfort, and whatever else you might need. Naturally, relationships can also be quite complicated. This is especially true of dating and finding the person you wish to settle down with. Often, people confess to not feeling confident in when to take the next step in a relationship. If you’re unsure of when to move from dating into engagement, there are some easy signs to guide you.
You’re on the Same Page
Perhaps the most important sign in a relationship is seeing that you’re on the same page as your partner. When you find that you both have a similar idea of what you’d like from the future, it means that your relationship is progressing in a way that makes sense for both of you. However, you need to be mindful if the opposite is true. Constantly butting heads with your significant other over every little thing might be a huge red flag suggesting the relationship is not going to last.
You Communicate Well
All relationships are built upon communication. Whether with your friends, family, or partner, you need to know how to speak with someone in order to maintain a healthy connection. When it comes to taking your romantic relationship to the next level, you definitely want to feel like you know how to communicate comfortably together. Should conversations feel strained or you never quite know what your other half is thinking, it may mean you need to put in more work before getting engaged.
You Handle Challenges Well
Theoretically, the person you decide to marry is the one you will spend the rest of your life with. This means that you will face all of life’s challenges together. You’ll have to support and be supported through the deaths of family members, career disappointments, and unforeseen tragedies. Take a look at what you have had to face together in your relationship already and how you’ve handled it. If you believe you met the challenges in a sensible and healthy way, it could be a good time to take next steps.
You Fit Well With Each Other’s Circles
A romantic relationship is mainly about the two people involved, but most people know this isn’t entirely the case. When you date someone, you date his or her friends, family members, and coworkers. If you find yourself not clicking with the various circles you’re being introduced to, it might wear on you over time. While not always a practical reason to break up with someone, it is important to consider how well you connect with the people you may have to see for the rest of your life.
You Don’t Feel Pressure
It is rarely good to make decisions because you feel pressured to do so, especially when it is a decision that will alter the trajectory of your life. People tend to be annoying when it comes to weddings. If you have family members constantly asking you when you’re going to get engaged, it can light a fire under you and force you to make snap decisions. The only time you should move forward is when you and your partner both feel it is right.
You Have Discussed the Future
Being on the same page as your partner doesn’t always mean you have talked about every aspect of the future. If the person you’re dating has told you that marriage is not something he or she wants, you need to take that at face value. Talking about the long-term picture allows you the chance to see if you’re both with the right people.
Taking a romantic relationship to the next stage is a process. Give it time and you’ll figure out what makes the most sense for your future.
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