When you’re in a relationship, you address your significant other as a boyfriend or girlfriend instead of ‘someone you’re dating.’ However, there is a difference between dating someone and being in a relationship. While both are similar, each has subtle signs that make it different. So what’s really the difference between dating vs relationship.
4 Stages of Dating
- STAGE ONE– Beginning awkwardness: It’s that excitement and uncertainty of not knowing what they like and how they’ll act. It’s the getting-to-know-you phase.
- STAGE TWO– Attraction: This is where the butterflies come in. You can’t help glancing at them because you find them hot. You’re establishing communication via in-person, texts, and phone calls.
- STAGE THREE– Uncertainty for the future: Do I like him? Do I want to continue dating her? In this stage, you begin assessing emotions and the possibility of a future together.
- STAGE FOUR– Intimacy: This stage is where you begin moving toward becoming committed to each other, and you feel hopeful for a possible future. This stage marks the beginning stages of a relationship.
5 Stages of a Relationship
- STAGE ONE– Falling in love: Also known as the honeymoon phase. It’s the romance or attraction stage when you get to know each other.
- STAGE TWO– Couple-dom: This is after the honeymoon phase when you decide to make it official and become a couple.
- STAGE THREE- Disillusionment: You both still have a strong connection and are in love, but here comes life to trap you with your stressful routine of children, bills, and other obligations.
- STAGE FOUR– Lasting love: This stage is where you find stability and security. At this point, you’re confident you can survive any storm life throws at you.
- STAGE FIVE– Couple realization: This stage is when you as a couple focus your attention outside of the relationship and on something bigger than yourselves, like retirement, empty nesting, and fewer obligations.
Is it making sense? Do you still have questions? If you’re still confused, here are some differences between being in a relationship with someone and dating someone.
1). Priorities
Whether you’re in a relationship or just dating, they’re both meaningful. However, one situation prioritizes their partner less than the other. For example, when you date someone, you’re not in a commitment, so you’re not necessarily too serious about them, so it makes it easier to prioritize other things in your life, such as work, friends, hobbies, etc.
When you’re in a relationship, your partner becomes your priority. How you deal with others in your life may change because your partner comes first. Word of caution; if you fail to prioritize your significant other, you may find yourself dating again.
8 Ways to Make Your Partner a Priority
Is your relationship a top priority? When was the last time you had some quality time together? (And sitting in front of the television with your phones doesn’t count.) If you last connected with your partner a long time ago, change that right now with a few ways to make your partner number one again.
- Spend quality time together: Be intentional and focus on time with just the two of you. No kids, no dogs, no phones, just the both of you.
- Flirt: Remember how good it felt when you both flirted with each other at the beginning of your relationship. Do that again. Give him a wink or playfully pat her butt. A little flirting goes a long way.
- Say “I love you”: Say it as soon as you think about it. Tell your mate what you appreciate about them. Doing so reminds them that you’re still in love.
- Communicate: Find methods of being more honest and open with your partner. For example, tell your partner what your needs are, but do so in a kind manner.
- Tell them “thank you”: Are there things you appreciate that your partner does for you? If so, a simple thank you can go a long way. These two little words show that you value and respect them.
- Check-in: Ask how your partner’s day was. Doing so lets them know you’re genuinely interested in their well-being.
- Respect each other: Yes, even when you’re arguing. Walk away when the discussion becomes too heated, so you don’t say things you’ll regret.
- Always have good intent: Do all things under the assumption that you love them and have the best intentions for each other. Of course, at some point, your partner may say something to hurt your feelings, but if you understand that it was unintentional, it will be easier to forgive them.
2). Commitment
Regarding commitment, the difference between dating and being in a relationship is relatively simple. Commitment is the main focus in a relationship because both parties promise to be together. They make plans and look forward to the future because their partner is their main person.
Dating lacks commitment of any sort. The only future plan you may have when dating someone is whether or not to try that new sushi bar.
3). Expectations
Expectations always vary when you date someone or are in a committed relationship. When dating, you expect less from the other person. But, most time, expectations don’t match when dating. In other words, one person has more feelings than the other.
For example, he may expect one thing (calling no more than once every week), while she has completely different expectations (calling every few days). It’s common for one person to be more into it than the other. It’s that difference that creates issues when dating.
However, in most instances, both parties have no long-term expectations of the future with the person they’re dating. So, for example, they aren’t discussing where to buy a house or how many kids they want because they understand it’s only casual. Whether or not that changes into something more remains to be seen.
The very foundation of a relationship is built on expectations. You expect everything from your partner, including patience, love, and respect. At this point, the relation-SHIP has sailed, and you are happily cruising into the sunset together.
4). Mutual Agreement
One significant difference between dating and a relationship is the individual perspectives involved. Relationships are based on trust and mutual agreement. However, it’s different for dating. Some see casual dating as non-mutual.
In other words, one person feels casually dating equals some form of a relationship. Therefore, they do not mutually agree. The two parties have differing expectations. This is where feelings can get hurt. One person in this situation views dating as one thing, but the other person sees it another way.
On the other hand, others prefer to date multiple people simultaneously instead of being committed to one person. As long as all parties agree this is the case, you can have a healthy dating life. The issue arises when both parties are not on the same page. So, be sure to make this clear early in the dating process.
5). Communication
There is a huge difference in communication regarding relationships vs. dating. You constantly communicate with your partner about everything when you’re in a relationship. Coming home late, what kind of milk to buy, paper or plastic, everything! You’ll wind up telling them all the details about your past and where you hope to be in the future.
Communication while dating is different. It’s basic and limited and doesn’t go too deep. It will mainly consist of where to eat tomorrow night and the gossip about your job. But it’s never too serious, and if it starts becoming more significant, you may be headed in the relationship direction.
6). No More Searching
When you date, you’re not committed to any one person, so you can still look around to see what’s out there. You keep in touch with other single people in hopes of connecting down the road.
When you are in a committed relationship, all searching ceases because you are with one person. Your “freedom mentality” changes because you believe you have found the one and don’t have to continue looking for someone special.
7). Comfort Level
If you are dating someone, you have a certain level of comfort, but it only goes so far. You guard your feelings because you don’t want anyone to know too much about you.
For example, when dating, they don’t know you sleep with a blankie because that’s too personal. In addition, your dating partner may not have met your family or friends because that comfort level isn’t there, and you may be afraid someone will say something embarrassing to your date.
Depending on how long you’ve been together, chances are your partner has seen it all (yes, even the blankie.) So they know things about you that no one else knows, and you’re OK with that.
You also feel comfortable bringing them around certain friends and family members. For example, you’re not embarrassed for them to meet the one uncle who tells dirty jokes because you both laugh about it.
8). Social Life
We all have social lives, and only some are welcome into ours. While dating, we tend to keep the person out of our social circles. Why bother because we don’t know how serious the relationship will get? If we introduced everyone we’ve dated into our social life, we’d have a revolving door of people coming and going, which is not a good look.
However, circumstances change when in a relationship. We include them in all parts of our social lives and even occasionally introduce them to co-workers. These aspects are the progress that defines the differences between dating and being in a relationship.
9). Your Go-to Person
If you had a problem, who would be the first person you reached out to (providing Mom wasn’t a choice.) That’s right; your go-to person is the one you’re in a relationship with, not the person you’re dating.
In a committed relationship, you want to tell them everything. You can’t wait to describe your incredible day, and you can count on them when problems arise. Whenever you run into trouble, it’s your partner you trust.
10). It’s All about ‘Us’
When you’re dating, it’s all about the “I.” However, when you become a couple, it’s more about the ‘us.” You begin noticing that you use ‘us’ when talking about your partner. It’s “we did this last night.” or “we’re going to the show next week.” It’s as if all those love songs were true, and two became one.
11). The Title
If you have ever desperately wanted to be in a relationship, you know how elusive ‘the title’ can be and how important it is when your partner uses it. Getting the title of boyfriend or girlfriend is the most significant noticeable difference that happens when comparing dating to a relationship.
The title is how you introduced someone. It’s also how the outside world will view you from now on. When people you don’t even know talk about you, they’ll say something like, “Oh, I know her; that’s Will’s girlfriend.“
When dating, there is no distinct title because you are still in that undecided stage. You’ll refer to the person you’re dating differently. Instead of boyfriend or girlfriend, they’ll introduce you as “my friend” or a “special friend” or simply use your name.
For example: “Hey everyone, this is my friend, Marcy.” or “Hey everyone, this is Marcy.” This introduction is only disappointing if you want to be in a relationship. Otherwise, it’s no big deal.
12). Duration
The dating phase typically falls into the range of only a few weeks or months. During this time, you’re exploring the possibility of either moving to the relationship stage, continuing as is, or going your separate ways.
A relationship is a long-term commitment, so it usually involves a more extended period. However, it indicates that you have known, respected, and loved someone and look forward to a happy future together.
Whether or not you are looking to date casually or for something more profound, it’s up to you. If you’re not getting what you want out of your current situation, move on.
There is somebody out there for everyone. Good luck and Happy Dating!
