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Steadiness is the key to understanding your true feelings and acceptance in knowing each other. Knowing how to take a relationship slow is important, else, you will end up losing the spark and falling apart. A new relationship ushers in joy and excitement. The newfound joys of budding romance offers encouragement for you to look for the future with excitement. Although these moments are crucial for a strong relationship, you must not move too fast. Taking time can help you make adjustments, develop compatibility and spot any red flags. Author and blogger Crystal Jackson had an unpleasant experience taking things too fast in a relationship, and now she strongly suggests people take it slow. She says, “Love often leaves me feeling foolish — particularly when I’ve gone all in on relationships with partners who were keeping their cards close to their chests. I’m left with the bitter taste of being the last one to see what was probably obvious to everyone else and loving, once again, where I wasn’t cherished and chosen. I don’t think I should stop loving so fiercely, but I have become an advocate for slowing down relationships. It’s not just an attempt to ward off that foolish feeling, either. There’s wisdom in going slowly when it comes to love. We don’t see someone’s true nature in those first few months of a relationship. We see them at their best — when love or infatuation helps them to shine brightly…This is why it’s so important to slow down. It takes time to truly get to know someone — not just their best days but their bad ones, too. Give it a little more time. This will also help them see you better, too, so when you choose each other, you know it’s for who you truly are and not just who you are at your best and brightest (i).”So keep reading as we discuss why it’s important to keep it slow in a new relationship.
15 Ways To Take A Relationship Slow
Read on to learn a few effective ways to take a relationship slow and steady while keeping the fun alive.
1. Be upfront from the beginning
Partners need to be on the same page for a smooth and loving relationship. If they have different perceptions and expectations, the relationship could fail. An honest discussion and patient listening from the get-go helps build trust. So, sit down and talk to your partner with honesty if you want to go slow.
Be upfront about your feelings for them, and let them know why you wish to take it slow. Be clear about your expectations and give them the time and space to think. You two can then move ahead mutually.
2. Avoid discussing the future
When your relationship has just begun, and you are sharing beautiful moments, it is natural to start thinking about the future. While it is great to plan for the future, thinking about it in the early stages may put undue pressure on the budding relationship.
So, once you two have decided to take things slow, live in the moment. Take each day as it comes, and enjoy the appreciation in your time spent together. You will get ample time to discuss serious matters as the relationship progresses.
3. Keep your emotions in check
It is easy to lose yourself in the magic of a new relationship. You tend to fall hard at the speed of light if you do not think about the consequences. It could be detrimental if you want to know each other well and take the relationship slow. You might end up getting hurt if you get involved too much, too fast. So, keep your emotions in check. Try to think practically and clearly before blindly rushing and deciding anything.
Quick tip4. Refrain from labels
Our society expects us to define and name every relationship. Social norms mold us to believe that we should state ourselves as a couple when we start dating.
While it is necessary to label your relationship eventually, you don’t have to do that too early. In the beginning, having fun and being happy is important, and not the labels. So, quit worrying and allow your relationship to bloom naturally.
5. Keep it casual and light
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Getting too involved early on and professing your love and care might alarm your partner if they don’t feel the same way yet. Also, it could be infatuation and not love. Allow yourself enough time to distinguish the difference, by keeping the relationship light and casual in the beginning.
The slower pace can give you the opportunity to understand your feelings without any pressure. So, don’t jump into confessing your emotions and loyalty right away; instead, enjoy spending time together.
6. Wait before you get physically intimate
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Maintain open communication about physical intimacy and respect each other’s boundaries. Ideally, if you are taking things slow, it is best to wait for a while in patience before getting physically intimate.
Getting hot and heavy early on can cloud your vision and prevent you from thinking objectively. So, spend some time together and get to know each other well before getting intimate. The comfort and trust between you two would slowly build your dedication, turning your relationship more beautiful and memorable.
7. Pace out your time together
If you like each other and want to know more about each other, spending more time together makes complete sense. However, if you wish to take the relationship slow, it’s best not to meet every day. Plan your week such that you spend the weekends or any day or two with them and then give them some space for other things on the other days so that they don’t compromise on their lifestyle. It will help you maintain a sense of excitement and anticipation. If they insist on regular meet-ups, give them justified reasons about your other commitment and suggest another time.
8. Experiment different stuff together
The honeymoon phase of the relationship is a beautiful time. You are still in the process of exploring each other’s personalities and choices. Apart from dinner dates, try out playing sports, visiting new places, or planning a picnic.
Trying out different things when together will give you a chance in trusting each other in different scenarios and help you understand the relationship’s long-term potential. Constant surprises will also keep the element of mystery, cooperation, and novelty in the relationship alive. Go ahead, be unpredictable, offer flexibility as you explore new activities, new places, new cuisines together with openness to make the most of your time.
9. Make sure your world doesn’t revolve around them
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It is natural to give time and attention to a new relationship, but make time for your friends, family, career, and interests as well. The person you like can be an essential part of your life but do not make your life revolve only around them. Figuring out the right balance is the key. Invest time in making your life better, too.
Point to consider10. Avoid fixating on the person
Being in a new relationship gives you a heady feeling. The attraction for each other is apparent, and the desire to be a part of each other’s lives is strong. Sometimes, the infatuation can turn into an obsession. Before you know it, you may be stalking their social media pages, incessantly calling/texting them, giving them late-night calls, and constantly thinking about them.
The fixation might negatively impact your life and scare your partner away. So, pull the plug on unhealthy behavior and let the emotions flow naturally as a teamwork.
11. Be mindful of your relationship’s direction
It is good to take a relationship slowly, but you should also keep in mind where and how you want it to go. Do you want a casual partner who shares similar interests, or are you looking for a long-term relationship that culminates into marriage? It could take a while to reach a particular point, but it is essential to take baby steps in the direction where you want it to go.
12. Wait before introducing them to your family
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When you are not 100% sure of your relationship, wait for a while before introducing your partner to your loved ones. In the early stages, you are in the process of getting acquainted, and having more people involved in the equation might put extra strain on the budding relationship. It might even scare your partner. Such a big step is too premature since it is too early to tell how the relationship will progress with time. So, enjoy your time together and leave the introductions for another time.
13. Refrain from becoming too controlling and possessive
When you wish to take the relationship slowly, you might not be meeting your partner every day. In such a situation, there is a possibility of feeling insecure. It may lead to possessive and controlling behavior. Such behavior could be harmful for any relationship.
In a healthy relationship, it is essential to support and respect each other’s boundaries. Every partner needs breathing space and time to do other things. If you try to control your partner’s life and interfere in every aspect, it might suffocate them.
14. Avoid revealing everything about yourself too soon
Revealing everything about your life at the beginning could be counterproductive when you are trying to take a relationship slow. It would even take the mystery and anticipation out from your bond. Sharing crucial information about your personal life might also make you vulnerable in front of your partner too soon.
So, do not put all your cards on the table as soon as you enter the relationship. Instead, give yourself enough time to determine if your partner is trustworthy and has your best interest at heart before divulging too much personal information.
15. Wait before you move in
During the honeymoon phase of the relationship, your feelings are so intense that you wish to be together 24/7. You might even get the idea of moving in. However, before you go ahead with this, take a step back and think.
Moving in together is a big step in any relationship. It involves a lot of adjustments and could be complicated too. It is important to spend quality time together and understand each other with empathy before making such a choice. Otherwise, there is a chance you might get too involved, and it would be painful if the relationship doesn’t work out.
Reasons To Slow Down In A Relationship
You may consider going slow in a relationship for several reasons, but the following are often the notable ones.
1. You will get to reveal your authentic selves
Going slowly with your bonding will allow you to show your true selves. This increases your chances of encountering genuine and vulnerable moments with your partner. For instance, they may discover what movies make you cry, or you may learn what experiences delight your partner.
2. You can test your compatibility
Exciting dates are a must, and fun but mundane activities reveal compatibility. Going slow with the pace of your relationship allows you to do ordinary activities together, such as shopping or even filing taxes. These moments will help test your compatibility on crucial matters, enabling you two to know whether a long-term relationship will work out.
3. It will lead to long-term happiness
Slowing down in your relationship and experiencing moments at their own pace will enrich each moment, letting you focus on the quality of each moment you spend together. This will set mutual happiness and synchrony as the foundation of your relationship, making it lasting and satisfying.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it good to take things slow in a relationship?
Yes, taking things slowly may be the best thing for your relationship. It is a lot better than rushing into a relationship and regretting it later. You will get to know the person deeply and know your compatibility when you take things slow.
2. What does taking a relationship slow mean?
Taking a relationship slowly is when you see the potential for a long-term union with your partner. This means not rushing into a relationship, not having sex right away, or not seeing each other every day. It’s about working your way up and building the relationship gradually.
3. Can moving too fast ruin a relationship?
There is no assurance that moving too fast can ruin a relationship. However, it is important to be sure of your feelings and understand your partner before committing to avoid heartbreaks.
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When you choose to go at a slow pace, you will be able to enjoy the thrill of your love and affection for longer, and you will have more time to build a stable and lasting relationship. You should, however, understand how to take a relationship slow in the right way. It could help to be upfront from the start that you want a slow and steady relationship. Further, keep things relaxed and don’t fixate on the person. If you’re worried that taking things slow may cause your partner to lose interest, explain your reasoning and maintain a mutual respect to give them time to decide whether they are on the same page.
Infographic: Why Do Some Couples Want To Take It Slow?
You may have heard your friends in a relationship talking about how they haven’t kissed or thought about starting a family even though they have been together for some time. So what is it that makes them want to take it slow? If you are contemplating the same idea, this infographic will help you understand why some couples want a slow-paced relationship. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- A new relationship brings new sentiments and excitement and may become a dream of your life.
- However, since hurrying into a relationship may lead to unexpected problems and heartbreak, it is advisable to take it slow.
- Keeping emotions in control and avoiding overthinking can help you progress slowly and steadily.
Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Three reasons you need to slow down your relationships;https://medium.com/curious/three-reasons-you-need-to-slow-down-your-relationships-8dce69744f22
