Seven stages of relationships that all couples go through
At first, emotions overwhelm you, and the world “disappears from under your feet.” Then, after breaking up with someone who was once important to you, you begin to realize that you don”t love them at all. In fact, this is true. Because you haven”t responded to your true feelings for him yet. Let us now consider the stages of development through which our feelings pass before they can be called “love to the grave.”
7 stages of relationships
- Stage 1 — Falling in love. The most romantic and alluring period of a bouquet of sweets. Your heart is pounding and your head is spinning. And not just in a metaphorical sense. When we fall in love, the body produces drug-like hormones that make us feel euphoric. We notice only the good in our choices. The period of “rose-colored glasses” lasts from one to one and a half years;
- Stage 2 — saturation — the next stage of the relationship. The second year of a relationship brings us back to reality. We calmly assess the situation, analyze the behavior of our loved one and begin to see the shortcomings. And there are a lot of them! Especially because we already behave more naturally and are not trying to impress. As the old joke goes: “He’s not looking for marriage yet, but he’s not shy about farting”;
- Stage 3 — Disgust. When asked, couples in long-term relationships reliably recall periods of incessant fighting. This is the time when people try to “remake” their partner to suit themselves and their requirements, testing the strength of the “boundaries of what is permitted.” This is a time of serious testing, without which it is impossible to build a future together. Often at this stage people disagree. But in the worst cases, people (no matter whether they are men or women) become trapped in these three phases and cannot escape from it using any of the chosen phases. “We find ourselves in a vicious circle”;
- Stage 4 — Patience. The most enjoyable part of the fight is the reconciliation. When partners find opportunities for mutual adjustment and take into account some of the requirements imposed by the chosen partner, they move to the stage of “patience”. One or both spouses begin to erase the quarrel or turn it into a series of constructive quarrels. Typically, people begin to agree and tolerate the other”s traits and preferences;
- Stage 5 — Respect. Older people say that without respect there is no love. And although all this is difficult to understand at the stage of falling in love, they are absolutely right. Above all, we respect the renunciation of our own selfish interests. We stop thinking that we should ourselves, and begin to behave this way for the sake of our loved one. This may be the most touching moment in a relationship. This behavior allows us to see our loved one in a new light in many ways. Many experts consider this stage to be the first stage of love;
- Stage 6 — Friendship. Remembering childhood friendships, absolute trust and confidence in your partner comes to the fore. A cruel life quickly teaches us that we can”t trust anyone. Therefore, it is a great happiness to once again find a person who, as they say, will not betray you “both in joy and in sorrow” and will remain with you;
- Stage 7 — True love. People can be described as “half of a whole.” They simply feel each other: they understand at first sight or even by the smallest, imperceptible other signs. But at the same time, they remain individuals who do not want to suppress their partner and do not want to adapt to him.
Unfortunately, few couples nowadays live to the stage of true love. Modern society gives every person the right to develop as an individual and not fit into a certain framework. However, with such upbringing, less and less attention is paid to such concepts as “debt”.
People perceive relationships as very selfish and do not understand that without a sincere, internal and selfless desire to care for someone, a long-term relationship is impossible. Propaganda says that the most chosen people are successful people. But often a successful person becomes one who is able to abandon his principles.
7 STAGES of relationship development that ALL COUPLES go through
Despite the availability of information and the opportunity to turn to family counseling specialists, many couples follow the path of least resistance. Breaking off the relationship or getting a divorce seems like an easier option for them.
However, unfortunately, the situation they encounter in their new relationship is similar to an unexplored situation. And the saddest thing: general disappointment in all representatives of this sex.
As cliché as it may sound, intimate relationships are hard work. But the reward for him is great — “they lived happily ever after.”
