5 Signs You’re in a “Situationship”

Just started a new romance and find yourself with a million questions? Feeling like your relationship is vague and unsure if your partner is truly invested? You might be in a situationship. A situationship refers to a sexual and/or romantic relationship where the situation is hazy and poorly defined, leaving you uncertain about where you stand. This can cause anxiety and stress, especially if you're quite fond of the other person. In this article, the LOVE Team will help you see things more clearly and recognise the signs of a situationship. We'll also provide advice on how to manage it and make the right decisions for your emotional well-being.

Ever wondered what a situationship is? It's a modern, somewhat ambiguous romantic relationship that hasn't been clearly defined. In a situationship, there's no expectation of exclusivity, and both parties are free to see other people. This kind of relationship can take many forms.

Here are a few examples of situationships:

• The guy or girl from your hometown that you only call when you're visiting your parents. You have a great time together, but you know it won't last forever and there's no real commitment.
• Someone who lives in a different city but visits often for work, and you meet up for some fun from time to time. You enjoy having fun with them, but you know it’s unlikely to go any further.
• A rebound relationship after a long-term romance. You're seeing someone new to take your mind off things and help you forget your ex, but you know it won't last and you're not really invested in the relationship.
• An acquaintance you call from time to time for one reason only: sex. There's absolutely no commitment between you and your hookups are sporadic at best.
  

Recognise yourself in any of these scenarios? You just might be in a situationship!

The answer to this question depends on your expectations and those of your partner. If you're both on the same page and know what you want, a situationship can be an enjoyable, no-strings-attached experience. However, if your expectations don't align, you risk getting hurt.

You need to know what you want out of the relationship and communicate clearly to avoid misunderstandings. If you realise you're more invested in the relationship than the other person, you might feel hurt, and it could affect your self-esteem. Plus, being in such a position might cause you to miss out on more fulfilling encounters and prevent you from finding someone who truly suits you.

You should also be aware that many situationships end with ghosting, where one partner disappears without a trace. Since there are no clear expectations and the usual rules of courtesy don't necessarily apply, you might feel hurt and struggle to move on if you've developed feelings for the other person.

In short, a situationship can be a pleasant experience if you both know what you want. However, if your expectations don't match, you risk getting hurt and missing out on more fulfilling encounters.

Think you might be in a situationship? It's not always easy to tell, especially if you have feelings for the other person. To help you see things more clearly, here are five signs that might indicate you're in a situationship. If you recognise yourself in several of these situations, you might be in an ill-defined and unstable romantic relationship. Don't hesitate to take a step back and reflect on what you want and need to determine if this situation is truly right for you.

Never discussed the status of your relationship with your partner? Unsure if you're actually a couple, if there's love involved, or if you're just two people meeting up for casual reasons? It's normal not to want to overthink things at the start of a relationship, but it can become problematic if one of you has more questions than the other and is living in a state of anxiety.

You should have clear and honest conversation to understand what you both want and where you truly stand. This will help you avoid misunderstandings. On top of that, it will allow you to take the necessary precautions for your health, including contraception and regular STI screenings.

If your partner refuses to discuss it or says "we'll see," it could be a sign that you're in a situationship that won't satisfy you in the long run. You need to know what you want and not settle for a relationship that doesn't truly suit you.

Never spend the night at your partner's place? Of course, even in a committed relationship, you don't have to spend every night together. There can be perfectly legitimate reasons for sleeping apart, like an early commitment the next morning. However, if you spend the evening together, including intimate activities, and they ask you to leave right after without any explanation, it could be a sign that you're in a situationship.

If your partner doesn't want you to spend the night, it might indicate that they don't want to commit further to the relationship and are only seeking immediate gratification. In this case, you might feel used and not find long-term satisfaction in the relationship.

You need to know how to communicate and express your expectations and needs. If you realise that your partner doesn't want to commit to you, it might be better to end the relationship and find someone who truly suits you. Remember, you deserve to be with someone who respects you and treats you with consideration.

Do you go weeks without any contact and find it completely normal? In established relationships, even at the beginning, there are usually some expectations for communication, and a week without a call or text might seem odd. If you're not sure how your partner is spending their weekend, you might be in a situationship.

If you don't hear from them for long periods and they don't apologise, it could mean they're not fully committed to the relationship. And even when you are in contact, the conversations might be superficial, and you never discuss anything "real." This could indicate that your partner is keeping you on the back burner for when they feel like it, without feeling the need to maintain respectful and regular contact.

Never met your partner's friends? Of course, you might not meet each other’s friends right at the start of your relationship, as it's normal to keep your worlds separate in the beginning. However, if after several months there's still no introduction to their friends, it could be a strong sign that they don't consider you a partner worth introducing.

If you know your partner organises nights out with friends where others bring their partners, it's reasonable to wonder why you're never invited. Does this mean your partner doesn't want you to be part of their social life?

Of course, there are exceptions. If your partner is a private person with few friends, there might not be many social events to invite you to. But if you're making the effort to try to meet their friends and your partner isn't interested in inviting you, it could be a sign that you're in a situationship.

Do you feel like your partner never makes the effort to plan special activities for you? In committed relationships, it's normal to want to impress the other person and show interest in their hobbies by planning unique dates or evenings. However, in a situationship, your partner might not make any effort to woo you, and your time together might just consist of watching TV or grabbing a quick drink at the local bar.

To determine if you're in a situationship, ask yourself: Do you feel like your partner won't do anything special for your birthday or other significant occasions? If you have no expectations in this regard, you might be in a situationship. Someone who genuinely wants to commit to a relationship with you will make the effort to plan something special, even at the beginning of the relationship.

Now that you're aware of the signs that might indicate you're in a situationship, think about how you’d like to react. If you have doubts about the state of your relationship and want to know more, the best thing to do is talk to your partner. Express your expectations and needs, and listen to what they have to say. If your partner doesn't desire a higher level of commitment, it might be better to end the relationship and find someone who truly suits you.

Remember, you deserve to be with someone who respects you and treats you with consideration. No relationship is worth constant stress and worry. Take the time to think about what you really want and don't be afraid to make decisions that are best for you.