Science says: This is how long you should date before making it official
You've been dating for a while now and the feeling is good. Somewhere the idea bubbles up that you actually want to take that next step: making it official. But when is the right moment? Love, of course, has no fixed rules, but according to experts, there is a minimum time you might want to wait before having ‘the talk’.
The minimum time
In the beginning, everything is naturally fun and exciting. You want to go all in and might be rushing things a bit. But before you start calling someone your official partner after just a week, it's better to get to know them a little better first. You need to be compatible, of course. According to relationship psychologist Claire Stott, you definitely need a few months for that. The rule you should follow: after two months of dating, it's okay to have the conversation about where you both stand and where you want to go. It’s also handy if you see and talk to each other enough during that time. With just one date a week and a bit of texting, you can't really assess whether you are a match. The longer you know each other and the more often you meet, the better you can determine that. Waiting longer than those two months is never a bad idea either.
What should you know about each other?
According to relationship expert Jessica Alderson, there are a few things you should know about each other before taking that next step. The most important being: What are your goals for the future? Think about whether or not you want to get married, have children, or live in a certain city. It’s quite handy if those align a bit. Also, in terms of hobbies, it’s nice if you can share those. You don’t have to like exactly the same things; doing your own thing is also important, but if you can never do anything together, it probably won’t work out between you. There are, of course, many more factors at play in a relationship. How you deal with family or money, what your preferences are in the bedroom, and how you handle conflicts. You will continuously discover new things about your partner, even when you are already official.
Follow your feelings
If your feelings are good and you can see a future together, you naturally hope that your partner feels the same way about you. If in doubt, you can always ask friends for advice; they can see how you interact without the rose-tinted glasses you might be wearing. According to experts, two months is enough time to build that trust, although that varies for each couple. If you already feel ready before that, you shouldn't let that hold you back. It might be a bit more risky, but that's part of love, right?
Source: Business Insider
