5 Stages Couple Pass Through During Dating Lifecycle

Dating gives people the chance to get to know each other. If you get to know each other well enough you might be forging the bonds for a lifelong relationship. However, it can be difficult to know when to disclose certain personal information. How much you disclose about yourself should be based on how well the proximity, emotional safety and appropriate boundaries have been established with your partner.

Here are the various stages you pass in your dating lifecycle and the kind of information which can be shared in each:

* Casual Dating

The first few dates can be tricky. Unfortunately, not everyone you start dating shows the promise of becoming a potential partner with the trustworthiness or loving and mindful attitude. It is best to set some boundaries early on and to give yourself the time to know the other person. These early on dates are a great way to get to know if this person has similar interests, feels comfortable to be around, and has compatible dating goals. From first to third dates, you can keep the conversation casual talking more about general topics like your dating status, your career and aspirations. You can also talk about your hobbies which can help you find a common ground early on. In fact, if you feel comfortable enough, you can even discuss about your political and religious views.

* Comfortable Dating

Around the fourth to sixth date, it is generally the time you get a pretty clear indication of whether or not you would like to take the nest step and get into an exclusive relation with each other. If you would like to continue seeing this person and feel comfortable around them, use your gut when it comes to delving into more intimate topics. Before you choose to share information, make sure you feel completely confident in your decision to do so. Ask yourself a couple of questions like, “Do I feel emotionally safe around this person?” “Have they given enough behavioural and verbal cues that they are trustworthy?” “Are they attentive when I speak and do they ask appropriate follow up questions?” “Have they in any way disrespected or violated my boundaries or tried to manipulate me?”
If you see any red flags, even one, you should hold off on sharing more intimate information. On the other hand, if the person you are dating checks all the boxes on your checklist, you can talk about more personal things like your sex life, past relationships, your preferences about marriage and children. If you think you are comfortable enough, with proper planning and at an appropriate place and time, you can talk about medical issues, if any.

* Exclusive Relationship

Once you and your partner have decided to stop dating other people and focus on building your relationship, you have the opportunity to share more detailed personal information. This typically occurs after at least a few months of consistently dating each other when there is a high level of emotional closeness, openness to being vulnerable with each other, and support. This can be the ideal time to discuss details about your families and family issues. The next step after an exclusive relationship is typically some sort of commitment. Let your partner know any standards you hold about when to move in together, how long you prefer to be engaged, if and when you'd like to be married, and at what point you see children in your future.

* Serious Relationship

Couples in serious relationship are typically moving in the direction of engagement or marriage. It is essential to discuss personal values and expectations about important issues like parenting styles, financial status and responsibilities, and lifestyle before making big decisions about your relationship. Typically, couples at this stage have been together for at least a year, and more often several years. Couples at this point know each other's typical habits, likes, dislikes, nuances, and overall reactions to a multitude of circumstances. These couples are usually able to maintain open communication, problem-solve difficult situations together and can see themselves having a happy future together.