Beyond Dating

Moving it beyond dating

You’ve been seeing this guy for a while now, and you think he’s the one. How can you broach the topic to him?  For starters, talk to your partner. Is he ready to make the switch to an exclusive relationship, or is he still interested in casual dating? It’s important to make sure you’re both on the same page. 

You also need to be emotionally prepared for the commitment necessary in building and sustaining a relationship. These things take time, energy and effort. You might have to party less, or explain to your friends your need for couple-time and focus on getting your work done within office hours. Think about whether you’re ready for the sacrifices involved. 

Lastly, don’t force it. If your date isn’t ready, pressure is only going to drive him away. Let it take its natural course. And do not announce it to friends, family or public domain prematurely.

Handling fights in a relationship

It’s absolutely normal for couples to fight. Here’s how to navigate the rocky shores of conflict:

Be patient and realistic. 

Understand that there’s no magic rule to resolving conflict, and every relationship has its own quirks.

Take a time-out. 

If the situation gets too intense, let your partner know that it might be better if you drop the issue for now. Re-visit it when your heads are cooler. 

Be assertive and stand up for yourself. 

But at the same time, don’t be hysterical during a disagreement. Let your partner speak, and listen to what he has to say. A calm, two-way conversation will allow both of you to get your points across. 

Understand each others’ way of communication. 

You and your partner grew up in different families. How we speak/argue is influenced heavily by our family, so there might be clashes in communication styles. Be aware and develop your exclusive couple communication style.