When you’re dating someone you really like, it’s natural to keep your eyes open for certain signs you two are actually serious.
No matter if your next step is meeting the parents, moving in together, or getting engaged, it’s super exciting yet scary to think about that next step, especially if you don’t have much experience in relationships.
So, here are a few signs to tell you’re on the right track and ready to start a new chapter in your relationship.
1. You have a toothbrush at their place
This is a huge milestone in western society. As you spend more and more time together, it’s normal to leave some things at their place, yet the act of leaving your toothbrush and your PJs at their house has a very symbolic meaning. That doesn’t have to automatically lead to cohabitation, but it means you would rather spend evenings together than alone and that’s a great sign.
2. You hate to spend time apart
Every night you spend apart is boring and lonely. On the other hand, your sleepovers are so much fun, filled with intimacy, laughs, and excitement. So, if you feel horrible when you need to sleep alone, this means you’ve reached that point in your relationship where you’re so used to being together that the absence of your partner is making you feel incomplete and sad.
3. You always have something to talk about
Do you find your conversations to be the most interesting in the world? That’s an amazing sign that you’re ready for the next step in your relationship. Your conversations don’t have to be super deep and intelligent to be interesting. You can spend hours talking about your favourite foods and animals or spend hours retelling your past adventures and planning your dinner dates!
4. You share inside jokes
Who do you usually share inside jokes with? Your friends? And if your partner is your best friend, you’re on the right track. According to relationship experts, couples who consider their significant other to be their best friend often report higher levels of relationship satisfaction than other couples. Having inside jokes means you have amazing communication and that you spend enough time to know each other’s little quirks and share embarrassing details that make you laugh breathless.
5. You’re planning future things together
No, not planning what you’re having for dinner next time you have a dinner date, but panning more important things further down the line. Are you comfortable planning a fun spa treatment in Hong Kong during your next vacation? This is a real commitment that means you’re in a relationship that’s stable enough so you can make future decisions that concern both of you. If you realize you love making future plans with your partner, make sure to use your pampering spa experience to take your relationship to the next level!
6. You love your arguments
It’s completely normal to argue with people you see every day. Sometimes arguments are serious, sometimes they happen over the smallest and most insignificant things. However, if your arguments don’t change the way you feel about your partner and if they don’t drain you emotionally, that means you’re in a great place as a couple. Having HEALTHY arguments can actually help improve your relationship and it gives you ways to learn a lot about each other.
7. You love to be intimate
If you’re satisfied with your current level of intimacy, that’s great, because being intimate is very important for your relationship. No matter if in the bedroom or outside of it, if you’re not happy with your intimacy levels now, you won’t be in the future either.
8. You love to share secrets
How many times did you say something like: “Hey, can I tell you something I never told anyone?” No matter what kind of confession comes after, a serious secret or an embarrassing thing you love to do, sharing secrets with your partner is a great step towards being a serious couple.
9. You’re comfortable discussing money
Money is a touchy subject for many people, but if you’re comfortable enough to discuss finance with your partner, it means you’re ready to take the next step in your relationship. If there’s a clear understanding between you two about who pays for what and if you have similar attitudes towards money, you’re a good match!
10. You’re completely comfortable and safe with them
When you just start dating someone, you’re not completely comfortable showing your real face. What we do is present a perfected version of ourselves that’s carefully thought-out. But, as you develop your relationship, you get more and more open and free to show your true face because you start to trust that person. If you’re now completely comfortable being your authentic self around them, you’ve found your match!
If you and your partner exhibit any of these signs, don’t waste time! Forget about single life and upgrade your relationship to the next level. It might be scary to move forward, but you’ll be well rewarded.
