11 Telltale Signs Your Casual Relationship is Turning Serious
Casual relationships are prevalent for the new generations since they come without serious commitment and can be fun initially. However, if you’re getting along, one of you is looking for something more serious. But how can you tell that a relationship is getting serious, and how should you approach it? This article will give you 11 telltale signs that your casual relationship might turn into something serious.
1. Your conversations are no longer surface-leveled.
While discussing future plans can sometimes seem very playful, it is a real sign that you’re ready to move past casual dating. Psychologically, we do this to gauge compatibility and commitment for a long-term relationship. A casual partner could ask about future plans to determine your stance on the future.
Good conversations indicate that you’re able to talk to each other quite well. Learn more about how communication affects your relationship in our favorite communication article.
Read here: ‘Tips for Communicating in Relationships: Build a Stronger Bond‘
2. You’re spending more time together
You two have become inseparable, like the two objects held together by the world’s strongest glue. A promising sign that you’re ready for a committed relationship is that you’re spending more time together than you had initially planned. It’s one of the easiest but clearest signs you can get from your casual partner. Moreover, you’ll start to notice them prioritizing you over other activities or commitments.
3. You’ve become very intimate.
During the first stages of casual dating, there is a good chance that you are intimate with each other. However, you could experience longer periods of physical intimacy after a while. In addition, you’ll start to notice that it becomes easier to talk about and explore your sexual relationship.
Romantic feelings should be present, especially in a friends-with-benefits situation. A healthy relationship also requires both people to be open and honest about their sex lives and preferences. In addition, you’ll figure out quickly what the person likes, and it’s a win-win situation.
Read here: ‘Emotional Intimacy – The Definition, Benefits, and Examples‘
4. You’re emotionally invested
You have built a deeper connection with someone. At this point, you feel like you’re past casual dating since you’re able to talk about things that make you vulnerable. If you want to remain in the ‘casual dating’ phase, the likelihood is more significant that you won’t share something about yourself that would make you vulnerable.
In addition, you might notice that someone takes genuine care of you and that they express the feeling of love or affection that goes past casual dating and look more like a romantic relationship.
5. You’re making plans for the future
If you’re talking about children or where you’d like to live, you are not talking to a casual partner. If they are talking about living together or the future of the relationship in general, they’re testing whether you are the right fit for a romantic relationship and the compatibility between you!
6. You’ve been introduced to friends and family
It may seem like such a subtle sign at the moment, but the significance is there. If they have introduced you to friends and family, it’s one of the telltale signs that your relationship might turn into a long-term one. From a psychological standpoint, being introduced to friends and family means that this person is comfortable and accepts you. They want to build a deeper connection with you and introduce you to their personal life. Chances are they’re looking for something other than a casual partner and ready to move on to a real relationship.
7. You want to say ‘I love you.
If this happens, you’re passed the ‘casual partner’ phase. Any relationship coach or relationship therapist will likely tell you the same: You have genuine feelings for this person and would like your relationship to move to a romantic one.
How do I approach this situation?
One of the challenges around dating is telling someone you love them or that you would like the relationship to move forward. This can be a delicate issue, and it doesn’t work to give a subtle sign here and there. Here are five tips for telling your partner you would like the relationship to move past a casual dating relationship.
– Timing is everything when it comes to essential activities. Make sure you are both having a good time and in a peaceful atmosphere.
– Tell others around you what you mean. Always be open and honest about your emotions and thoughts.
– Pay close attention to what he/she says. You should be ready for either a yes or no response. Don’t let the fact that he/she isn’t interested in you to impact you. Give her/him the room and time she/he needs to assess how the feelings impacts them.
– Keep your heart and mind wide open. You owe it to the other person in a committed relationship to be honest, and truthful about your goals, plans, and aspirations for the future.
– It is imperative that you express what you are feeling and thinking. Remember that your actions will speak louder than your words, so be careful what you do. Show her that you care about what happens to her by acting and behaving in a way that she can see.
8. You become jealous
If the person you’re dating sees another person, you might become jealous, which could signify you’re ready for a more profound relationship shift. Jealousy stems from the fear of losing someone or having their attention directed toward others.
However, it is essential not to confuse jealous feelings with feelings of envy, which is an emotion that occurs when you feel like the other person has something that you desire and lack.
Related: ‘Online Dating: 10 Guys to Avoid‘
9. They remember the little things.
They remember the things you said during those hour-long conversations in the night. For example, you mentioned your favorite food, and they took you to a restaurant where they serve that dish. Or perhaps you told them you had an interview or we’re going to see an old friend. If they remember, it’s a telltale sign that they care about you and are devoted to your personal life.
10. They go out of their way to do something special.
Casual daters are often limited to hanging out or watching a movie together. However, you might find yourself with someone who goes out of their way to organize something special. A movie night is entirely different from a homemade cinema with popcorn and your favorite movie (which they remembered). In short, they will make you feel special by actually doing something meaningful for you.
11. You can ‘feel it
Your intuition could tell you more than combined signs. While you might be wrong about the other person, your intuition can tell you whether you are ready for a committed relationship best.
When it comes to interpersonal situations, intuition might assist us in going with our gut feeling rather than using logic or outside data. Keep this in mind when assessing the benefits and drawbacks of going after a love interest.
In a nutshell
These were the eleven telltale signs that your casual flirtation is developing into something more serious. Increasing the quantity of time spent together, becoming closer physically, investing emotionally, having thoughtful conversations, making plans for the future, and engaging in social activities are among the biggest signs that you and your friend are ready for the next step.
In addition, the article offers suggestions for how to deal with the problem of wanting to strengthen a link with a close friend or partner. Both partners must feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings if they want their relationship to move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible for a casual relationship to become serious?
Suppose both parties are open to the concept and prepared to put out the effort necessary to make it work. Then, a casual relationship has the potential to develop into something more serious.
How can I tell if my casual relationship is becoming serious?
Look for signs such as increased communication, spending more time together, physical intimacy, emotional investment, and future planning.
What should I do if I want to turn my casual relationship into something more serious?
Have an open and honest conversation with your partner about your feelings and intentions. Make sure that you are both on the same page and willing to put in the effort to make the relationship work.
What if my partner wants to avoid turning the casual relationship into something more serious?
It is essential to respect your partner’s feelings and boundaries. It may be best to have an open and honest conversation about your feelings and see if a compromise can be reached. If not, it may be best to move on.
