Casual relationships are a popular way for people to meet new people. They are also a great way to build trust and establish friendships.
However, it is important to remember that not all casual relationships are created equal. In fact, some can be more complex than others and lead to emotional harm.
1. Identify Your Goals
Whether you’re using a dating app or meeting someone in person, it’s important to communicate clearly about your goals when it comes to casual relationships. Otherwise, you may end up with misunderstandings and hurt feelings, eharmony relationship expert and therapist Minaa B tells Elite Daily.
It can be hard to say no, but it’s important to keep in mind that casual relationships aren’t permanent. You’ll want to check in with your partner from time to time, to ensure you both are getting what you need and that the relationship is still working for both of you.
Another thing to consider is whether or not your partner is willing to pursue a serious relationship with you in the future. If they’re not, it might be best to cut your losses and move on, says Battle. If you’re not sure, it might be a good idea to talk things over with a friend or family member before you make any decisions.
You also want to be clear about what your expectations are for the relationship, explains Lovehoney scientific advisor and social psychologist Dr. Justin Lehmiller. This includes what you expect the relationship to be like and what your boundaries are.
If you’re in a casual relationship, it’s also important to set up some limits for your relationship. Maybe you only see each other a few times a month or limit your dinner dates to the weekend.
A casual relationship can be a great way to explore different types of relationships and meet new people. It’s a great place to build emotional ties and get to know a person before you decide to date them more seriously.
However, it’s important to remember that a casual relationship can lead to serious heartbreak if it doesn’t work out. For this reason, it’s important to identify your goals before you start dating and communicate them clearly with your partner.
2. Decide on a Date
If you are looking for something different than a traditional relationship, casual dating can be a great way to get to know someone without making a commitment. However, it is important to be cautious and make sure that you are choosing a date that will work for your needs.
If a date doesn’t meet your expectations, you should be able to communicate that with the person you are seeing. This will help avoid hurt feelings and miscommunication in the future.
Another thing to consider when it comes to casual dating is your own mental health. “Casual relationships may have fewer positive effects on your mental health than committed relationships, so you should be careful before taking them seriously,” says love coach Francesca Hogi.
The mental health effects of casual dating also depend on the people involved, as well as their circumstances and beliefs. If you are experiencing any negative effects from the relationship, such as anxiety or depression, you should seek professional help to address these issues.
Likewise, if you’re experiencing any emotional or physical pain, you should also be honest and clear about how you’re feeling. This will ensure that you can avoid further misunderstandings and avoid any unnecessary distress or hurt feelings in the future, according to Lovehoney scientific advisor and social psychologist Dr. Justin Lehmiller.
If you have a crush on someone who isn’t in a casual relationship, it can be difficult to limit time with them when they’re not. This can result in feelings of jealousy, which can lead to a lot of conflict and pain later on.
As a general rule, it’s best to limit the amount of time you spend with someone when you’re not in a serious relationship. This can prevent feelings of jealousy and can help keep things more relaxed and fun.
3. Communicate Your Needs
When it comes to casual relationships, it is important to communicate your needs and boundaries. This is especially important if you are not sure whether or not a relationship is going to be more than just friends.
A casual relationship is often seen as a free-for-all, but that does not mean that it has no rules or expectations. “Casual relationships need to have some sort of rules and boundaries,” love coach Francesca Hogi says. These can be related to safer sex practices, the amount of time spent together, or how much emotional intimacy is allowed.
For some people, a casual relationship may be ideal for them because they are not ready to commit to a serious relationship yet. This is especially true for those who are entering their 20s and need to focus on building a career before diving into a more serious romance.
Another reason why a casual relationship may be ideal for some people is that it can be more convenient than trying to maintain a traditional dating schedule. For example, if you have a busy work schedule and cannot take a date with you to the gym, you can meet up with your casual partner at a later time.
However, you should be aware that it is also possible for casual relationships to become unhealthy and abusive if you are not careful. For example, if you are casually dating someone and they are also involved with other people, it can be very easy for jealousy to arise.
If you are not sure if a casual relationship is right for you, it is best to seek professional help. A therapist can help you navigate these types of relationships in a healthy way. They can give you advice on how to communicate your needs and set boundaries with the person you are dating, so that both of you can move forward in a healthy manner.
4. Be Honest
When it comes to casual dating relationships, it’s important that you and your partner are both completely honest with each other about what the relationship is — and isn’t — about. This way, you can be sure that you’re not entering into something you don’t want to.
This is especially important when it comes to casual relationships online — where you may not be able to sit down and talk about your expectations in person. Keeping it transparent is critical to making the most out of this type of relationship and helping you avoid disappointment, says Yana Tallon-Hicks, couples and relationships therapist.
In fact, she suggests that you set clear goals for the relationship and communicate them clearly to both your date and yourself. You’ll also want to make sure that you set boundaries, whether they’re physical or emotional, so that you can avoid any problems down the road.
It’s also important to be upfront about the length of time you want this relationship to last. Some people find that they only want to see someone a few times a month or for dinner on the weekends, but others like a deeper connection and would prefer to see each other more frequently.
Another crucial part of being honest with yourself and your partner is ensuring that you aren’t spending more than you should on this relationship. That means avoiding home activities that aren’t meant to be casual, such as watching movies on the couch or cooking meals at your partner’s house.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy yourself and be happy with the person you are with, but it does mean that you should prioritize your friendships and other important aspects of your life over your dating relationship. That way, you’ll be able to enjoy the experience of casual dating without having to worry about what might happen next.
5. Check In With Yourself
If you’re thinking of pursuing casual dating, it’s important to know exactly what you want from the relationship. Some people may find it difficult to communicate their needs and boundaries, which can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings.
For others, casual dating can be a good way to meet new people and try different things. It can also help you discover new interests and hobbies, as well as people with whom you share common values.
But if you’re looking for a long-term commitment, it’s better to go with traditional dating. That’s because casual relationships are often a short-term commitment and may not last forever.
You can always end a casual relationship when you decide it’s not working out. For example, if you’ve been dating someone for a few months and they’re not showing any signs of moving forward with you, it might be time to consider ending the relationship.
Another thing you’ll need to check in with yourself about is whether you’re actually falling in love with your casual partner. It’s easy to get into a casual relationship and not notice that you’re starting to develop feelings for your partner. If you’re waking up with thoughts of them and dreaming about them, it’s likely that you’re starting to feel romantically attached.
Likewise, you’ll need to be alert to whether your casual partner is taking advantage of your affections. If they’re sexing with other people or talking about their hookups, it could be a sign that they’re moving in the wrong direction.
You’ll also need to make sure that you’re sticking to your boundaries when it comes to physical and sexual intimacy, as well as your health and safety. That way, you can keep your casual relationship safe and ensure that it stays as healthy as possible.
