Marriage Counsellor and Psychologist Shivani Misri Sadhoo

Ready for the Next Step in Your Relationship? Indicators to Transition from Situationship to Relationship

In the world of modern dating, the concept of a “situationship” has become increasingly common. A situationship is a gray area between casual dating and a committed relationship. While it can be exciting, it often lacks clarity, leaving people wondering where they stand. If you’re in a situationship and questioning whether it’s time to take the next step.

What are the key indicators to switch from situationship to relationship?

Here are some key indicators to help you decide as explained by leading relationship expert and couples therapist Shivani Misri Sadhoo.

Consistency in Communication

One of the strongest signs that your situationship might be ready to evolve is consistent communication. Are you both checking in on each other daily or discussing topics beyond surface-level small talk? If your partner initiates meaningful conversations and shows genuine interest in your life, it signals emotional investment—a foundation for a serious relationship.

Shared Future Plans

When the person you’re seeing stars involving you in their future plans—whether it’s a weekend getaway or attending a family event—it shows they’re thinking long-term. Situationships often focus on the present, while relationships require planning and aligning life goals. If discussions about “us” replace casual “me” or “you” plans, it’s a strong sign of progress.

Introduction to Friends and Family

Introducing you to their inner circle is a major step. Friends and family often act as sounding boards for significant decisions. If they’re making an effort to integrate you into their personal life, it shows they view you as someone important and are moving away from a casual dynamic.

Emotional Vulnerability

Relationships require trust and emotional openness. If your partner is sharing their fears, dreams, and vulnerabilities, it indicates they feel safe with you. This level of intimacy goes beyond the surface and demonstrates a desire to connect on a deeper level—a key ingredient in transitioning to a committed relationship.

Mutual Effort and Balance

In a situationship, the dynamic might feel one-sided or sporadic. However, if both of you are putting in equal effort to spend time together, communicate, and support each other, it’s a sign that you’re moving towards a partnership. Relationships thrive on mutual give-and-take, so noticing this balance is essential.

Exclusive Behavior

Have you stopped seeing other people? If both of you naturally gravitate towards exclusivity without explicitly discussing it, it’s an indicator that the bond has grown stronger. Once exclusivity becomes clear, it’s easier to have a conversation about defining the relationship.

Desire for Clarity

In a situationship, the lack of labels might initially feel liberating. However, if both of you start seeking clarity about “what we are,” it’s a signal that the current arrangement may no longer suffice. Having the “define the relationship” talk can feel intimidating, but mutual willingness to clarify your status is a sign of readiness for the next step.

Alignment of Values and Goals

Relationships require compatibility, not just chemistry. If you find that your values, life goals, and expectations align, transitioning to a relationship becomes more feasible. Shared values create a strong foundation for long-term success and deepen the connection.

When to Pause Before Transitioning?

While these signs can indicate readiness, it’s essential to assess whether both of you genuinely want a relationship. Sometimes, one partner might be ready while the other is not. If there’s hesitation, consider having an honest conversation about where each of you stands.

How to Transition Smoothly?

If the indicators are present and you feel ready, take the leap with a clear and open conversation. Express your feelings, intentions, and hopes for the future. Respect your partner’s perspective, and give them time if needed. A successful transition requires mutual agreement and understanding.

Deciding to move from a situationship to a relationship is an exciting but delicate process. Recognizing the signs of readiness—like emotional vulnerability, consistent communication, and shared goals—can help you make the transition confidently. Remember, relationships are built on mutual effort and alignment. If the timing feels right and both of you are on the same page, taking the next step could lead to a fulfilling partnership.

Love, they say, knows no bounds. But what happens when distance creeps in and love is put to the test? Long-distance relationships are a modern-day testament to the strength of love in the face of physical separation. Even in the most loving relationships, infidelity can shatter trust.

Finding out that your long-distance partner is unfaithful is heartbreaking, tearing apart the strong connection you share. So, how do you find out if your long-distance partner is being unfaithful? Delhi’s leading relationship and marriage counselor, Shivani Misri Sadhoo shares a few warning signs in this article.

What are some of the terrible signs that show your long-distance is being unfaithful?

Couples therapist Shivani Sadhoo, says, you may identify via the following things:

Inconsistent Communication

When your long-distance partner begins to dodge regular communication, it could indicate something amiss. While occasional busy spells are understandable, consistent avoidance raises concerns. A shift from frequent calls and intentional planning of dates to fewer interactions or vague excuses hints at potential infidelity. In successful long-distance relationships, consistent communication is vital, and deviations from this norm should prompt investigation into underlying issues or potential unfaithfulness.

Gets angry often

When your partner starts getting easily irritated or annoyed, especially over small things, it could be a sign that something’s up. In a long-distance relationship, it’s important to stay connected and understanding. But if your partner suddenly seems short-tempered, it might mean they’re not happy in the relationship.

It’s like they’ve lost their patience with you, which isn’t normal if they used to be sweet and patient before. This change in behavior could mean they’re emotionally checked out or even looking for a way out. And if they’re not feeling connected to you anymore, they might be turning to someone else for that emotional support. So, when they start acting differently, it’s worth paying attention to what’s really going on.

Frequent Technical Glitches

If your long-distance partner keeps encountering technical issues whenever you try to connect with them, it could be a sign that something isn’t right. Think about it: every time you’re excited to talk, their phone mysteriously runs out of battery, or their internet suddenly becomes unreliable. It’s like they’re always finding an excuse to avoid having meaningful conversations with you. You might notice a pattern where they blame their device for problems like a faulty camera or microphone, making it difficult for you to video or voice call them.

And when you question them about it, they might even claim their account was hacked or is behaving strangely, adding another layer of suspicion. But what if these “accidental” tech issues happen all the time? It starts to feel less like bad luck and more like a deliberate attempt to avoid you. It’s painful to consider, but maybe these constant technical glitches are covering up something deeper – like your partner being unfaithful.

Always Busy

Earlier, your partner used to make time for you effortlessly, adjusting their schedule just to chat with you freely. But now, it feels like they’re always busy, never having a moment for you. It might seem like you’re constantly trying to connect, but they always seem to have something more important going on. When one partner becomes consistently too occupied for quality time together, it can trigger doubts about fidelity in a long-distance relationship.

Contradictory Explanation

Pay close attention to any inconsistencies or contradictions in your long-distance partner’s narratives. If you notice that their explanations don’t align or if you catch them in lies, it could be a clear indication that they are hiding something from you. Trust your instincts and be vigilant about red flags, no matter how seemingly insignificant.

For instance, if a friend informs you that they saw your partner in a compromising situation with someone else, it’s crucial to address the issue. When you confront your partner about your suspicions, be wary if they attempt to change the topic or deflect the question. This behaviour may suggest they are avoiding the truth, especially if they consistently sidestep the issue.

Now that you’re aware of these warning signs, stay vigilant in your long-distance relationship. Consistent communication, understanding changes in behavior, and addressing inconsistencies are key to maintaining trust and addressing potential issues before they escalate.

The role of power plays a crucial role in any relationship. When one specific partner enjoys too much power it often creates disharmony, and imbalance and often becomes the sole cause of the relationship to crumble. Shivani says, that in any marital relationship maintaining the balance in power dynamics helps it to navigate smoothly.

No relationship can blossom when one partner enjoys the power and the other one has little or no say virtually.

India’s top marriage counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo says times are changing and so do the dynamics of power in your relationship. One who better understands this aspect of balancing power in a relationship stands a higher probability of reaping the goods from their relationship. Here are the things that may help you.

Share power

It is pre-eminent to realize that real empowerment of both partners makes for a happier, healthier family. Learn to balance and divide the power and distribute duties amongst yourselves so that none of you feel stressed or burdened. This needs a mindset shift.

Balance goals for both individual and family

Both partners in a marriage need to honour common goals related to the family and respect individual dreams as well. This lessens the major portion of the load on the husband for the finances and a major portion of the load on the wife for caregiving or in other cases, or vice versa.

Try to influence not impose

Imposing your will and views and one-way communication never help in any relationship. It often leads to a deadlock and damaged egos. The skill of positive impact using listening and questioning is more vital than merely demanding or imposing your views. Honest open communication will assist in solutions when both parties feel empowered and respected.

There may always be a soft balance of power in a husband-wife relationship but to make a long-lasting relationship work, both partners require to feel empowered enough to share their power.

For any relationship to last long, the balancing act of power amongst the partners often decides which way the relationship will march on. If you feel that maintaining the balance in power often creates a rift in your relationship. It is better to introspect and try to include the above-said things to see the positive changes in your relationship.