Regardless if you just started dating or if the relationship is ending, there is a point where you realize you don’t actually love your significant other. This can be a really hard thing to realize and deal with, especially if you haven’t ended the relationship. It’s important to recognize that just because you don’t love the other person doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be with them. You can begin questioning if you ever did love them or just the idea of being in love or the idea of them. There are so many different labels you can put on a relationship to make it seem less serious, here are some you should consider.
The New Relationship:
You like them and they like you. Ideally, they like you more than you like them. He loves spending time with you and trying to make you happy and you’re just trying to decide if you feel the same way.
The Open Relationship:
Realize that dating in college doesn’t necessarily mean that you and your partner have to be completely exclusive. You can take time in the beginning of the relationship to get to know them and still see other people. It’s okay if you’re dating other people, you both are. You probably realize you’re too young to want any sort of serious commitment.
The Casual Relationship:
Don’t put a lot of pressure on your relationship at first. Go on group dates and stay away from fancy dinners. Figure out what they like to watch on Netflix or their favorite movie and stay in with a bowl of popcorn. You know you’re both together but it doesn’t mean that you’re head-over-heels in love.
The Married Couple:
This is if you’ve been together for literally ever. You can’t imagine your life with anyone else and that’s okay. Maybe you tried dating other people but you just keep coming back to each other. You’re in love with every part of that person.
The Relationship That’s Over:
There is a point in time when we realize that our relationship with a significant other is over. Sometimes it might be all to clear and others you can hardly recognize what’s going on. For some of us, it’s really hard to realize that it’s in the past. The only thing you can do is end it, and trust me, all parties will be a lot happier after that conversation.
In middle school everyone agreed that labeling relationships was completely overrated, but now they can be extremely helpful. Especially when you are trying to decide if he’s actually in love with you, or just the idea of you.