The 10 Stages of a Relationship by Months that Predict Your Future

You just started a relationship, but you’re not completely sure if it’s going in the right direction. Here are the stages of a relationship by months.

Every relationship is unique and special. What works for some couples may not work for others, and that’s okay. But even though each relationship is special, many do follow a general flow of these stages of a relationship by months.

There is no exact formula to follow for a successful relationship, and honestly, that’s what makes it interesting. We learn about ourselves and love as we go along. Maybe you’ve been in several relationships in your life or maybe this is your first one, but none of them will be like the others.

Now do these stages happen at the same time for all relationships? Nope, not all. Some relationships move slower or faster than others. This isn’t something you should focus on; your relationship will take its own flow and go at a pace that’s comfortable for you and your partner. Some people get married after three months of dating, and other people wait seven years.

[Read: The must-know details for exactly how slow is too slow in a relationship]

The 10 stages of a relationship by months

Remember, there’s no formula. But it’s always interesting to see the stages of love and see what stage your relationship is at. Remember, many of these phases can overlap or come before another.

#1 Infatuation. When you first see someone you’re interested in, it’s intense. Your heart is racing, you can’t stop thinking about them, not to mention, you’re horny all the time. This is the infatuation phase, and it’s beautiful. There’s so much passion between you. It makes everyone around you sick. But you don’t care.

You’re in your own world. During this phase, you don’t see each other’s flaws or insecurities. This typically lasts up to six months but can last longer. [Read: How to tell the difference between infatuation and love]

#2 The Introduction stage. You’ve passed the infatuation phase with your partner, and now you’re really getting to know each other. You have deeper conversations and spend more time intellectually learning about each other. Though you’re still heavily attracted to one another, you can actually talk without being sexually distracted. This can last between 18 months to three years.

#3 The “Things Become Real” stage. After a few months of being with your partner, there comes a moment when a disagreement will pop up. Since you’re out of the infatuation stage, conflicts can arise, and now you see how well you can overcome conflict. This is where some couples will break up if they’re unable to work through it. This happens after the introduction stage, which, as you know, can last for a while. [Read: 21 questions for a new relationship that will help you build your bond early]

#4 The Opinion stage. You’ve been together for a while. You both are starting to understand who you both are, what your opinions are, and what you expect from the relationship. For some people, they become disappointed when they realize reality isn’t what they imagined. For example, your partner may be less committed than you originally thought. [Read: 60 get to know you questions for a new romance]

#5 The “Fixing” stage. Now, I don’t want to say you “fix” your partner because we all know that’s impossible to do. But, I would say it’s more of a molding. At this point, you’re working on the relationship and try to improve certain aspects, such as behavioral issues, to have the best relationship possible. During this phase, you learn how to compromise and decide if this is something you want. [Read: How to make your partner better… or is it possible?]

#6 The Doubting stage. You’ve tried to work on issues in the relationship and “mold” each other, and to some extent, it’s helped. But, at the end of the day, we’re only human. Change is a long-term process that can take years. Of course, there may be aspects of your partner that you don’t like, and that’s normal.

This phase, you examine those flaws and see if they’re flaws you can handle in a long-term relationship. During this phase, arguments are often, and the relationship’s survival depends on the couple’s willingness to work together.

#7 The Sexual Dryness stage. The general consensus is that sex in a relationship can become routine anywhere between three months to two years. But many people say around the six-month mark, things get a little boring. This is after the infatuation stage. You both decide to explore and experiment with sex, or it simply dries up. [Read: 10 very naughty and fun sex games for couples for instant horniness]

#8 The Trust stage. You have gone through enough experiences to know that you have each other’s backs no matter what happens. This is an amazing place to be in a relationship. However, this stage solely depends on you and your past experiences. Some people take longer to develop trust, while other people can easily trust in new relationships. [Read: How men fall in love – The 7 stages of love for men]

#9 The Commitment stage. You have gotten to know each other on a deeper level and developed a deep level of trust. And now, you want to make a commitment to each other. You’ve found the person you want to be with, and you’re ready to take that next step and make it official. Most couples get married around the two-year mark of the relationship. However, again, it depends on the couple. [Read: What is commitment in a relationship and how to know if you have it]

#10 The Growth stage. You decided to be together and continue your future with each other, and that’s beautiful. Now, you’re ready to continue growing. You have a solid and healthy base for the relationship, and you’re continuing to work on yourself and the issues within your relationship.

[Read: The relationship stages that all couples go through]

Just remember, each relationship is unique and may go by its own timeline. The stages of a relationship by month aren’t so streamlined as you’d expect. But, as long as it feels good, you’re doing the right thing.