THE FOUR STAGES OF RELATIONSHIPS
1. The Honeymoon Stage
In the honeymoon stage, everything happens effortlessly. You don’t have to force anything—it’s simply beautiful. You may feel like you’ve won or found your ideal soulmate. Everything feels perfect and exciting.
You just want to spend more time together and often start fantasizing about a future together. It feels magical because you’ve found each other.
2. The Testing Stage
The second stage is the testing stage, also known as the reality stage. Love is no longer new, and the passion may no longer feel as desirable or exciting. The initial feelings begin to fade.
The acting is over, and reality sets in. You may find yourself tolerating, accepting, or questioning whether the relationship can continue. You start noticing flaws in your partner. This doesn’t mean you no longer love them—it’s just that you now see them from a more realistic perspective. Doubts and conflicts arise, and you may start questioning whether you’re truly in love.
3. The Give-In or Give-Up Stage
This is the most challenging stage of a relationship, often referred to as the building stage. Conflicts intensify, and you may find yourself getting angry over small things. Insecurity grows as you no longer see eye to eye on many issues.
This is the critical stage where breakups are highly possible. Intimacy may diminish, and love may feel distant or cold.
If both partners are not mature enough, the relationship may end here. One partner might even cheat in search of the excitement of new love.
4. The Winning Stage
In this stage, you both accept that you are two different individuals, each with imperfections. You acknowledge each other’s unique qualities and flaws, but you still choose to stay together and commit to the relationship.
You prioritize the relationship over fleeting feelings or emotions.
Many divorces occur because people marry during the honeymoon stage. They marry strangers, and when reality sets in, they believe their partner has changed.
1. The Honeymoon Stage
In the honeymoon stage, everything happens effortlessly. You don’t have to force anything—it’s simply beautiful. You may feel like you’ve won or found your ideal soulmate. Everything feels perfect and exciting.
You just want to spend more time together and often start fantasizing about a future together. It feels magical because you’ve found each other.
2. The Testing Stage
The second stage is the testing stage, also known as the reality stage. Love is no longer new, and the passion may no longer feel as desirable or exciting. The initial feelings begin to fade.
The acting is over, and reality sets in. You may find yourself tolerating, accepting, or questioning whether the relationship can continue. You start noticing flaws in your partner. This doesn’t mean you no longer love them—it’s just that you now see them from a more realistic perspective. Doubts and conflicts arise, and you may start questioning whether you’re truly in love.
3. The Give-In or Give-Up Stage
This is the most challenging stage of a relationship, often referred to as the building stage. Conflicts intensify, and you may find yourself getting angry over small things. Insecurity grows as you no longer see eye to eye on many issues.
This is the critical stage where breakups are highly possible. Intimacy may diminish, and love may feel distant or cold.
If both partners are not mature enough, the relationship may end here. One partner might even cheat in search of the excitement of new love.
4. The Winning Stage
In this stage, you both accept that you are two different individuals, each with imperfections. You acknowledge each other’s unique qualities and flaws, but you still choose to stay together and commit to the relationship.
You prioritize the relationship over fleeting feelings or emotions.
Many divorces occur because people marry during the honeymoon stage. They marry strangers, and when reality sets in, they believe their partner has changed.