Anybody who has ever been in one fulfilling long-term relationship can attest that things change with time. People, like relationships, seldom remain the same. People evolve, alter, and develop different opinions at times. However, change and progress do not have to spell the end of a partnership.
So, what are the changes that every relationship goes through? How to overcome these changes, and what should you learn from them? And are you someone who is going through a chaotic phase with your partner? Read on to know the seven stages every romantic relationship goes through. It’ll help you understand your partner and relations in your life
What Are The 7 Stages Of A Relationship?
Stage 1: Intense Love
When most individuals think of youthful or fated love, they think of this. The birds are singing. The glass is half full. And the “love” hormones like dopamine have flooded the brain’s neural pathways. It makes you feel joyful and powerful. And you thank the divine matchmaker for this bond. This stage usually starts during the first meeting and concludes when you finally see the individual for who they indeed are (good or bad).
Getting over the “rush” that clouds your judgment about the person you’re seeing can help you get through this honeymoon period. Most shattered hearts in this period are caused by partners who overlooked the truth behind the dopamine rush.
Stage 2: Discovering
Discovery may be a fantastic experience in some situations. For instance, discovering your suitable match is more likely to be a period of discouragement. The love hormones in the brain eventually fade up as relationships progress, as do the excellent views of the person you are with.
The person you believed was perfect is human, with unusual quirks, unpleasant habits, and opposing points of view. Moving beyond this stage is figuring out what you need from your companion while letting go of all the minor details that don’t count.
Stage 3: Dedication
You emerge from the experience with a fresh perspective on your partner. This stage provides security and assurance that you are with the appropriate person. And you commit to a relationship. Although commitment is a welcome relief from the envy or uncertainty of phases 1 and 2, you now face a new foe: repetition and boredom.
Many couples grow so comfy that they neglect to inject passion and surprise into their relationship. Learning to communicate properly is the most effective method to get through this period.
Stage 4: Power Conflicts
Before establishing a commitment, there may be a power struggle. Each partner must take responsibility for their relationship to get a meaningful result. You worked on your relationship in stage three, and now you are finding your uniqueness and capacity to govern the connection in stage four.
Maybe you’ve gone fishing with your companion because they like it, but now you’d want them to try some of your favorite activities. Perhaps they like blue in the kitchen, while you prefer red. Compromise is the most fantastic strategy to get through these disagreements since it recognizes and respects uniqueness.
Stage 5: Stability and Growth
The fifth stage is marked by increased closeness and a feeling of new stability. Shared suffering is said to bring star-crossed lovers closer, and in stage five, the previously strained connection has been repaired by a shared aim of helping each other develop as persons and partners. Here, you learn about some of the ways you have harmed previous relationships and how to improve these ways.
This is a phase you may go through at your own pace, but be wary of resentment, which can arise when we overcompensate to accommodate the requirements of a partner without conveying your expectations.
Stage 6: Intimate Love
Wait till you’ve experienced adult love if you thought youthful love was beautiful. Couples who have worked through the first five phases of a relationship understand the distinction between enthusiastic and romantic love. Obsession, sexual desire, and jealousy fuel passionate love. And warmth, openness, physical intimacy, and security fuel romantic love.
The most painfully challenging aspect of this stage is maintaining the amount of innovative communication and closeness required. If not done correctly, you may fall into the next step.
Stage 7: Recovery and Crisis
This stage may occur, but it will be regarded as the relationship’s ultimate stage because of its mature character. A sickness, a job loss, the tragic loss of life, or an affair are all examples of crises. By taking on the responsibilities of both caregiver and patient, you can avoid the impulse to take out your frustrations on each other.
Both partners are drained during a crisis, so it’s critical to be present to give and receive. If you survive, you will have earned vital experience that will prepare you to face any future problems.
In conclusion
These seven phases of a partnership may seem to be a complex process. But they are an essential element of what every pair must go through. Ultimately, you’ll reflect on that intense love, the revelations you made, the sacrifices that gave you happiness, and the fights for power that led to development and stability. Making it through these phases will result in a compelling relationship.
