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The beginning of a relationship is exhilarating! When you first meet that someone, the butterflies in your stomach go berserk and the feelings of nervousness, excitement and joy get all mixed up!
The early phase of a romance is the spark and, depending on how you navigate it, this phase can determine whether the spark ignites a long lasting flame or if the spark simply fades away. The problem is that it can be incredibly difficult to know how to navigate the beginning of a relationship. This post will share some advice that will help you feel more confident in how you act and communicate during the early stages of new relationships.
Why is the beginning of a relationship so important?
In the beginning of your relationship, a tone gets set. The way you treat and talk to each other early on will influence how you interact in the future, so make your best effort to set a high standard of loving and caring for each other!
Building trust, an emotional connection, and strong communication patterns will also be vital in the beginning stages of your romance! The earlier you trust your partner and let them in on the hardships you face will allow for that bond to grow stronger. Showing that emotional vulnerability will help form an connection that is far more difficult to break. Communication early on should be focused on explaining what you want and appreciate in romantic relationships. You’ll thank yourself for the transparency of communicating about sensitive topics during the beginning because it will follow through into later stages of your relationship. Developing each of these parts of your relationship at the start is key to making it flourish and have it last long!
The flip side of this, is that when aspects of your relationship that you proritise and appreciate are lacking, you should feel comfortable enough to walk away. Not every relationship will last, and that is okay. The beginning of a relationship is all about finding out what is worth staying around for!
11 eye-opening pieces of advice for the beginning of a relationship
1. Talk face to face
In the early stages of a relationship, talking face-to-face is valuable because it fosters a truly meaningful connection. Also, talking in person helps to better build trust between partners. Face-to-face communication allows opportunity for you and your partner to get used to each other’s way of communicating. Everyone develops their own unique way of conversing. You’ll notice nonverbal cues, such as body language and tone of voice, which help you in understanding complex emotions and the intentions of your partner. It reduces the risk of miscommunication and it’ll drastically help you to build a close bond. Texting and sometimes even phone calls can give us too much of a window to misinterpret what the other person means. Through in-person conversations you can limit that chance of misunderstandings and communication break down. It is a piece of advice for not just the beginning, but also to continue throughout your relationship. In future, it will be a big difference maker! If you’re part of a couple that prioritises face-to-face chats, you’ll be able to express yourself authentically, resolve conflicts more effectively, and get to know your partner on a deeper level.
2. Be in the present, not the past
Focusing on the present is crucial for the beginning of a relationship because it allows you to truly experience and appreciate your new lover. You should be feeling free of any emotional weight or burdens when in the early phases of your relationship. If your past is weighing you down, then make your best effort to be in the now. By living in the moment, you can build an emotional connection that’ll be based on exciting experiences and shared moments. Practicing this will enable you and your other half to be attentive to each other’s needs and values, which are vital for understanding how well you suit one another. Lay the groundwork for a healthy, thriving relationship where you do not hold onto the past. A sore part of our pasts that will commonly come up in conversation are exes. That topic may well be unavoidable. Although ex-partners will be talked about, experiences of past relationships should not effect your new one. Concentrating on the present also will allow your relationship to develop naturally, without unnecessary pressures or expectations from either side.
3. Talk about your future plans & ambitions
At the beginning of your relationship it’s super beneficial to discuss your future plans and ambitions as individuals because it helps you and your loved one understand each other’s goals, aspirations, and priorities. Openly sharing dreams and long-term visions you have will allow your partner to assess whether their life path aligns with yours. This also means they can best plan to support and complement your growth throughout the relationship. There will be areas that you are very compatible with your partner and others where you may have to compromise. At the end of the day, that’s what relationships are all about! It also enables you two to ensure that you’re both on the same page and working towards the same core goals while maintaining the same values. It’s crucial you talk about this stuff since your own hopes and dreams are things you mustn’t ignore! Freely chatting about your individual future plans will help transparency in the relationship and it’ll build a foundation of trust. This type of open communication increases the likelihood of you having a strong and harmonious long lasting relationship.
4. Get physical!.. and don’t forget to talk about it
There are heaps of amazing things going on in the beginning of a relationship, but we’ve got to talk about the most entrancing thing – sex! Talking about physical intimacy in the early stages of a relationship is especially important! It might feel a little awkward or a bit uncomfortable, but trust us, it’s worth discussing. Being honest about your physical boundaries, expectations, and even some desires will set the standard for communication. This will be a huge contribution for the health of your relationship and sexual connection in the future. Plus, it helps you better understand each other’s comfort levels and ensures that you are on the same page. This is again about building trust and making sure you’re both ready to progress into new steps. Go on, don’t be shy, communication is key in all romantic relations. Be upfront about this stuff and your partner will recognise your efforts in sharing your thoughts on vulnerable topics. Have the chat and enjoy exploring this aspect of your connection!
5. Meet each another’s friends
There are a few major reasons why meeting each other’s friends early in your relationship is important. Firstly, meeting your partner’s friends provides valuable insights into their social circle and the kind of relationships they maintain outside their romantic life. This offers you a more comprehensive understanding of your partner’s personality and values. Secondly, interacting with their friends can offer an additional perspective on your partner’s character and behavior. This will help you learn how they interact with and treat others. It also provides an opportunity to observe how your partner will integrate their romantic life with their social life. Lastly, meeting friends allows both of you to feel more involved and accepted within each other’s lives. That fosters a sense of belonging and connection that extends beyond the 1-on-1 dynamic. Meeting each other’s friends serves as an important step in broadening, understanding, and creating a more fulfilling relationship.
6. Set boundaries & manage expectations
This is getting down to the nitty-gritty of it all. Talking about boundaries and expectations can seem rather intense however, it can be made less stressful if you discuss it in an way that leads to outcomes where there is consideration as well as compromise. Setting boundaries provides your relationship with a framework. During your chat around boundaries, try refrain from saying things like “don’t do this!” or “I hated when my ex did that” . Instead, try to explain why you are vulnerable in certain situations and why it is that you get frustrated (or upset) by particular tendencies. Good framework builds the relationship based on mutual respect and personal space. It’ll allow you and your partner to express what your comfort zones are and what fears or limitations you might have. This open communication will help both of you in understanding and appreciating each other. Outlining expectations also holds great importance. It is essential to aligning each of your own visions and aspirations. Sharing expectations and concerns can help partners gauge what they need to be aware of and sometimes it can help them know how to improve themselves as a partner. Being upfront is crucial in building a solid connection. Discussing boundaries and expectations can help prevent unintentional hurt and misunderstandings while also developing feelings of safety.
7. Discuss your values & beliefs
In the early stages of your relationship, talking about values and beliefs is really beneficial because it lays down the foundation for a strong connection that’ll last long. Your values and beliefs are at the core of who your are, shaping a lot of your decisions and guiding your actions. Openly sharing these parts of yourself will determine whether you fundamentally align with your partner, and that has is ridiculously important! Together you can explore your similarities and differences on a deeper level, ensuring that you share common ground on the fundamental aspects of your life. Opinions and values around family, religion, ethics, and life goals should be discussed in a healthy relationship. Having these big conversations early on fosters respect and transparency, enabling you to make informed decisions about your future together. Embracing these types of talks can help tremendously in building a partnership. Set the stage for a love that can weather any storm!
8. Talk about when & how you’ll label your relationship
In the early days of your new connection, there’ll be temptation to slap a label on it and define your relationship. It can be beneficial to your relationship if you resist the pressure from society and your peers by making a decision on your label based on only your opinion and your partner’s opinion. Uninvolved people will have various expectations – some will hope you label your relationship right away, some will encourage that you avoid labels all together. These expectations are what makes deciding on a label feel stressful.
While labels might seem trivial, they actually carry significant weight in regards to commitment as well as understanding and expectations. Discussing this topic with your partner will ensure that both of you are on the same page and that you have a shared understanding of your relationship’s status. That is what’s most important. For example, if you’re not sure that you want to be labelled as a girlfriend or boyfriend but your partner wants that status themself, you need to talk about that so you can get on the same page. Learning each others reasons for these important decisions is powerful and it will bring you closer together. Effective communication will prevent misunderstandings and confusion that can arise if your assumptions about your relationship’s label differ. By discussing when and how to label the relationship, you can better navigate this decision with mutual respect and consideration. When it comes to your status, truly listen to each others wants and needs, before talking to any one else.
9. Give each other breathing room
During the beginning of a relationship, it can be surprisingly great to give each other a bit of space. In hindsight you might realise it was vital! As exciting as it may seem to spend every waking moment stuck to the hip of your lover, allowing for some individual time and personal space is advantageous for the relationship’s health – especially early on. This distance actually enables both you and your partner to maintain your own identities, interests, and friendships. It will promote self-discovery and keep you growing as an individual, ensuring that both of you continue to nurture your true passions and personal development. A little space can help prevent feelings of suffocation or dependency too. Allowing the relationship to breathe a bit is really good. Listen to yourself at the end of the day. Seek each others company when you are missing it, but do not feel like you need to stop having time to yourself ! By respecting each other’s need for solitude and independence, you’ll foster immense trust and feel more secure for the long term. Remember, a healthy relationship should be continuously attempting the difficult balance of togetherness and space. In remembering and making effort in this, both of you will flourish and, in turn, enrich the connection you share.
10. Authenticity is a priority
For the beginning of your relationship, embracing and being your authentic self is necessary. Yeah, it’s natural to want to impress the special someone by presenting the best version of yourself, but the best connections are built on transparency and vulnerability. That’s the reason authenticity is super duper important! Pretending to be someone you’re not, or hiding aspects of your personality you think are unattractive, will only lead to misunderstandings and a wobbly foundation that has not trust. Authenticity creates a relationship that has open communication and mutual understanding. Your partner wants to get to know the real you, flaws and all, so don’t bother falsifying yourself. Be your authentic self and it will empower you to set boundaries, express your needs, and communicate openly. It is okay, take the risk of being yourself and let love blossom naturally, because there’s nothing more special than a connection that thrives on genuine love and affection.
11. Learn one another’s love language
Taking the time to learn each other’s love languages at the beginning of a relationship can make all the difference in building a powerful and fulfilling bond. Love languages are the unique ways in which individuals prefer to give and receive love. Understanding and expressing correctly identified love languages is paramount in a fresh relationship. It will help deepen your connection and improve romantic intimacy. By discovering how your new partner best interprets love – whether it’s through words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, receiving gifts or acts of service – you can show your affection in ways that truly speaks to their heart. Learning which love languages your partner likes to receive most will help you greatly in communicating your love effectively. Your partner will feel cherished! Tailoring the ways in which you treat your loved one according to their love language will foster empathy, compassion, and emotional intimacy in your relationship. Don’t be scared to go crazy with affectionate gestures at the beginning of your relationship. That is what makes it so exciting! Go and embark on your journey together and continue to make your best effort in learning all about one another!
The start of any romantic relationship will have it’s unique challenges, so hopefully these pieces of advice have you feeling better equipped to deal with the emotional obstacle course it can be. Remember the most important thing of all – have fun! Intimate relationships are such a wonderful part of life. It does not need to be all about having serious conversations and studying each other. What are you waiting for? Stop reading and get back to enjoying your young relationship!
