If you’re new to dating, casual dating is a great way to learn what you want in a relationship. It doesn’t have to be a commitment, and you can call it off if you’re not feeling it anymore.
However, casual relationships can also be very complicated. For example, if you’re in a casual relationship and they start to have sex with other people, it could cause a lot of pain.
1. Get to Know Each Other
Casual Dating is a Way to Learn What You Want in a Relationship as a First Step
If you’re new to dating, casual relationships can help you figure out what you’re looking for and whether you want a serious relationship. This type of dating removes the pressure to make commitments, which can help you focus on getting to know the other person and learning more about their personality.
But casual dating can also be a bit confusing and frustrating, especially if one person is starting to get feelings for the other. This can be particularly difficult if the other person doesn’t feel the same way about you, which is why it’s important to be open and honest about your feelings when you’re casually dating.
This is a good time to make sure that both parties are on the same page about their intentions, says Lovehoney scientific advisor and social psychologist Dr. Justin Lehmiller.
The two parties should clearly state how they intend to proceed with this relationship, including what their expectations and boundaries are. This will help ensure that they’re on the same page and avoid any misunderstandings later on in the relationship.
Additionally, this will prevent anyone from getting involved with someone who isn’t right for them. It will also ensure that both people stay happy and don’t end up with a toxic partner who doesn’t fit their personality or interests, according to Battle and Henry.
Finally, it’s important to establish some limits and boundaries when you’re casually dating so that both parties aren’t overwhelmed with sex or other emotional intimacy. These limits can help both parties remain safe and protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases (STIs).
Moreover, being open and honest about your feelings is a great way to avoid resentment or hurt feelings later on in the relationship. It’s also a great way to avoid falling in love with someone who doesn’t feel the same about you, according to Tallon-Hicks. This is especially true if you’re a woman who tends to go into relationships with too much caution and has trouble dealing with feelings of jealousy or disappointment.
2. Learn About Yourself
Casual dating is a great way to get to know yourself and what you want in a relationship as a whole. It can help you to understand what your needs are and how they affect your romantic relationships, says certified relationship coach and matchmaker Dr. Casandra Henriquez.
You’ll also be exposed to new people and places — which can open your eyes to things you might never have considered otherwise. You might try something you’ve always wanted to try, or meet someone who has similar interests as you.
Another great thing about casual dating is that it allows you to have a lot of fun with people you’re interested in without having to worry about commitment. This can be especially helpful for people who have just broken up with a long-term partner or aren’t sure they want to get serious in the future.
It can also be a good idea to try out a casual relationship before getting too involved with someone, according to matchmaker and relationship expert Izzy Tallon-Hicks. By trying out different kinds of relationships, you can learn what makes you feel happy and what doesn’t, she tells The Cut.
When you date without a commitment, you can really let go of any expectations that might be holding you back from finding the relationship that works best for you. That’s why it’s so important to be honest and upfront about what you’re looking for when you begin to date.
If you’re not sure if casual dating is right for you, it’s a good idea to talk to a mental health professional or therapist before starting one. They can help you explore the reasons that you might have a reluctance to date casually and can offer you ways to overcome those barriers.
You might be able to learn what you’re truly looking for in a relationship from casual dating, so be sure to have open conversations about what that means to you and how it could influence your relationships. It’s also important to be honest about the risks and rewards of casual dating.
3. Have Fun
Casual dating is a great way to get to know someone without making any commitments. It can help you figure out who you really want to spend the rest of your life with. It can also help you decide who has a strong connection to you and who might be more interested in pursuing a more serious relationship.
If you’re in a committed relationship, it’s easy to become wrapped up in all the things that go into that relationship—the housework, the work, and all those other aspects of your life that can start to overlap with each other. When you’re in a casual dating situation, it’s all about getting away from those things and enjoying time with the person who you’re seeing.
As a casual dating relationship progresses, it’s important to check in with each other about what’s going on and how you’re feeling about it. If there’s a big change in what you like or don’t like about your partner, it’s critical that you let them know.
Another thing that you need to do if you’re in a casual dating relationship is make sure that the other person knows what your expectations are and respects those. If you’re casually dating a person who’s into sex, it’s important to be upfront about what you expect and ask for their honesty.
This is especially important if you’re in a casual relationship with someone who has a hard time letting go of jealousy. If they’re having sex with other people while you’re in a casual relationship with them, you may feel hurt or betrayed.
One of the benefits of casual dating is that it allows you to see a lot of different people in a short amount of time. You can meet people who aren’t related to you or who you wouldn’t normally meet because of your social circle, and it’s a great way to learn what types of people you like.
However, it’s crucial to remember that if you don’t enjoy casual dating, it’s okay to break up with that person and find someone who is more compatible. It’s not worth it to put yourself through a painful breakup just because you don’t want to commit to a relationship with someone.
4. Stay Honest
One of the greatest advantages of casual dating is that it can give you a chance to see a lot of different people in a short period of time. That can be a good way to get more familiar with the types of people you’d like to meet in a relationship, and it can also help you find out what you don’t want in a partner.
Another thing that casual dating can teach you is that it’s important to be honest with your partner and yourself. This means talking to them about your feelings and what you’re feeling without making assumptions or shaming them for their opinions.
Keeping an open line of communication is especially helpful in casual relationships, because it can help you get to know each other better and avoid misunderstandings. It also makes it easier to communicate your expectations, says certified sex and relationship therapist Chanta Blue, LCSW.
The more you and your partner are communicating about what you both want in a relationship, the better prepared you’ll be for when it’s time to start taking things seriously. In this situation, it’s best to set clear boundaries and make sure that you’re respecting your partner’s needs, advises licensed therapist Jodie Henry, LMFT.
This will prevent any potential conflicts down the road and help ensure that you’re both happy in your relationships. It’s also important to keep your expectations realistic so that you don’t end up in a situation where you feel trapped.
As a result, it’s important to be honest and upfront with your partner about where you want to go sexually and what you’re willing to do in order to ensure that the relationship is going to work out for both of you. Moreover, it’s a good idea to make sure you and your partner get tested for any sexually transmitted infections before engaging in any physical intimacy.
This will not only help you stay honest with your partner, it will also allow you to have more fun together! Plus, it can help you avoid stepping into a serious relationship that doesn’t fit your personality or lifestyle.
