Relationship Stages That the Majority of Couples Will Experience (Updated for 2023)

Last updated: Sep 8, 2022
Relationship Stages That the Majority of Couples Will Experience (Updated for 2023)

Relationships frequently get stronger with time, and if both parties put in the effort, excitement and passion can rise. Here are a few typical phases that relationships go through and tips for maximizing each one.

Being in a relationship is thrilling because, because relationships change over time, they probably won't be the same a year or even a month from now. Knowing the stages of a relationship will help you anticipate what to expect if you're beginning one.

Couples who have been dating for some time could experience a rut and believe there is a problem in the relationship when, in reality, it is just the typical waxing and fading of passion. Knowing the phases of a relationship will help you maintain your love strong throughout each stage and stop you from becoming overly frightened if this occurs.

Relationships can change in positive and negative ways. Relationships frequently get stronger with time, and excitement and passion can rise if both parties put in the effort. Here are a few typical phases relationships go through and tips for maximizing each.

Different Relationship Stages

How many phases does a relationship go through? Although there are certain common stages, they will differ from partner to couple.

Honeymoon

The honeymoon period is typically mentioned when discussing the first excitement in a relationship that frequently wanes as time goes on. This period occurs when two individuals get to know one another and build a connection, usually during the first six months to two years of a relationship. Because everything is brand new, it's typically an exciting moment.

Longer-married couples can recapture some of the excitement of the honeymoon period by taking travels, enjoying adventures, and spending time apart.

Phase of Attachment

After several years of getting used to one another, two people develop what psychologists refer to as an attachment. An attachment is a strong bond characterized by mutual expectations of ongoing communication and support. People frequently have a more intense love for their lovers during this period. The Crisis Phase Five to seven years into their relationship, a long-term couple often experiences a crisis, whether brought on by infidelity, a contentious argument, challenges with parenting, or another issue jeopardizing the partnership. The strength of a couple's relationship in the future will be largely based on how they handle crises. Therefore it's critical to develop effective listening and communication skills.

The phase of Deep Attachment

Couples that can endure a crisis after seven years frequently experience a strong bond with their partner. This deep love results from shared struggle, attraction, and compatibility. If your relationship has progressed to this point, there is a good probability that it will endure forever.

Crucial Elements of Each Stage

What makes each of these stages so crucial is outlined below.

Honeymoon

This stage could start as people still use dating websites to meet various new people. When you experience this infatuation may be tempting to erase your dating app profiles, but delaying marriage will allow you to enjoy the honeymoon period.

Phase of Attachment

The thrill may be waning, so it's crucial to continue developing your relationship and discovering new things about one another. Use one of the top relationship apps to communicate with your spouse in fresh ways if you want to recapture some of the excitement of getting to know each other for the first time.

The Crisis Period

How they act under pressure may teach a lot about your relationship. It doesn't mean your connection failed if you don't make it through this stage; rather, it just means you've learned what works and doesn't for you.

Knowing what you've learnt from the relationship and how you'll apply those lessons to your next one will help determine when to start dating again. You may always utilize apps like Zoosk or Elite Singles to find your next spouse if it doesn't work out.

couple

The phase of Deep Attachment

Your relationship will be steady, and you will have been through a lot throughout the deep attachment phase, but that doesn't mean you should stop working on it. Aim to keep learning about one another, attempting new things together, and improving your relationship.

Who Typically Withdraws from a Relationship Early on?

Some people are curious about which gender tends to withdraw the most at the beginning of a relationship. The truth is that attachment style how a person creates bonds—has more to do with the propensity to draw away than with gender. Our early interactions with our parents, carers, siblings, and peers shape our attachment style. There are four primary varieties, equally represented by each gender.

Dependable attachment

Secure attachment style individuals typically believe in their capacity to build enduring partnerships and don't fret over losing a companion excessively. They may express love, communicate emotions, and still find time and space for themselves.

Tense attachment

People with an anxious attachment style frequently worry that they will lose the people they care about and will do whatever to maintain them. These people could find it difficult to say "no," and they might put their own needs second to a partner's. 

Reluctance to attach

People who resist attachment are concerned about being overly dependent on others. As a result of the unpredictable nature of relationships, they frequently prefer to spend time alone. They may also drive potential partners away to avoid being pushed away themselves.

Haphazard attachment

These individuals exhibit both anxious and avoidant attachment behaviours. They might chase their mate at times, and they might also flee. As you might anticipate, individuals with avoidant or disordered attachment patterns frequently withdraw at the start of a relationship. They can be concerned that someone will hurt them if they approach them. They can also attempt to appear unconcerned by increasing their sense of power. If this describes you, be aware of the times you might be avoiding your spouse or suppressing your emotions and try to be open and approachable even if it scares you.