A connection between two people can often get confusing when it treads the uncertain path of a situatioship. While some prefer the dearth of labels that come with a situationship, others dread the same. At times, it can often get to a point where you are totally at a loss about the situation. Here are a few tips and tricks to find out if you are stuck in a situationship, and the ways to navigate the same. Read along to learn more.

What is a situationship?

A situationship is a type of connection that is more than a friendship but less than a relationship. It is like an extended version of “seeing one another.” This is a phase where people are just getting to know each other. Many situationships falter at the beginning, but many last longer if both parties agree to go with the flow. It is a connection without the label of any relationship. The lack of labels simultaneously gives the freedom to explore the connection while also restricting the commitment that comes with a relationship.

Don’t get me wrong: a situationship is not the same as a “friends with benefits” arrangement. There is a lot of difference between the two. The difference is that in a friends-with-benefits connection, there is the hard and fast rule of not falling for one another.

Situationships, however, are as tricky as ever. The lines are a bit blurry in a situationship. There is the unavoidable risk of falling in love. If you are seeing someone but are unsure about committing, chances are you have gotten yourself stuck in a situationship. What are the chances that you are in a situationship? Read on to know if you are in a situationship or not.

Are you in a Situationship?

Here are a few pointers that can help you realize whether or not you are in a situationship or not:

Lack of Labels

If you haven’t reached the point of defining the relationship you have with the person you are seeing, then be sure that you are in a situationship. You may have hung out or gotten intimate, but you haven’t seriously considered making a commitment. One of the most obvious signs of a situationship is the absence of labels.

There Is No Consistency

Do you have an on-again, off-again relationship with the person you’re seeing? Meeting once and then not hearing from them for a few days? Then you are most definitely in a situationship. Unlike the consistency present in a relationship, where people meet quite often, situationships lack the bonding to meet on a timely basis.

  No Milestones

Unlike relationships, situationships do not have any milestones, like anniversaries, even though intimacy increases from time to time. Neither do they profess their love for each other, nor do they make an effort to get to know the other person more. If you are looking for a serious relationship, it is best to leave the situationship because the increasing closeness and the lack of commitment will most likely hurt you.

No Common Acquaintances

If you are in a situationship, then you will have little in common with the person involved, including acquaintances. You will have no common social circle, and when you meet, it is just the two of you and nobody else. Although it tends to give off the vibe of “faux exclusivity,” it is far from the truth. They just don’t want you to be part of their world, and the sooner you realize this, the better. 

There Is Nothing That Binds The Individuals

In situationships, the individuals involved are bound to nothing. Therefore, all of their plans are last-minute and random in nature. Even if you receive a text from them, it will be unexpected and most likely just a way of catching up after a long period of time. Since the individuals are not really bound to each other, a connection such as a situationship has the risk of canceling things out at any point in time, and there are no alternative solutions for the canceled plans.

 No Future

In situationships, the individuals rarely think about a future with one another, unlike in relationships, where people are actually too involved and have decent future planning.

Situationship: Deal Breaker or Deal Maker?

If you think that the connection with the person you are seeing is actually getting toxic, then it is best to come out of it. In a situationship, the risk of one-sided love may come into play, which might then actually harm your mental peace if the other person is not ready just yet to give you a full-fledged commitment. There are several things to attend to. Before you go ahead with anything, check with yourself if you are fine with this arrangement. Be rational, trust your gut, and always think of the long-term consequences.

There are instances as well where situationships turn into relationships, but that process requires time and patience. You must have constant and open communication about the possibility of the situationship getting upgraded to a relationship. Falling in love is not a new concept while you are in a situationship, but the fear of losing what little you have with the person overpowers anything, including the fear of rejection. Converting a situationship into a relationship can be done, but it requires proper consideration. However, keep your mental peace as your first priority, put your heart out there, and be clear about your wants and desires.