There are many names given to a relationship that is considered casual or sexual; one such name is situationship. A relationship that does not have a defined label and is purely based on fun meet-ups, casual hanging out, and friends with benefits is considered to be a situationship.
However, this kind of relationship has its own set of pros and cons. So let’s see if you are meant to be in one or not.
What is a Situationship?
A situationship meaning can be defined as a relationship that is merely based on physical intimacy and hook-ups and doesn’t have any labels. It isn’t a committed relationship and both parties do not know each other intimately and only meet for sexual affairs.
Both parties do not talk about their interests and usually have other partners as well. This relationship is mostly for a quick booty call. Although any age group can engage in such behavior, it is mostly seen in emerging adults, as they are not fully developed emotionally and are not able to handle the intricacies of a committed relationship.
Especially in today’s culture, new adults wish to explore their options first before they can settle down with someone they can spend the rest of their lives with.
So while people think situationship has its share of disadvantages, it also comes with its own set of advantages.
Examples of Situationship
To understand this dynamic, here are some examples of situationship:
- A post-break-up rebound that you see just for sexual affairs
- A casual relationship with a person whom you meet for hook-ups or for partying
- Not being exclusive with the person you are seeing
- Seeing more than one partner
16 Signs You May Be in a Situationship
A lot of times, you might be in a situationship and you wouldn’t even know about it. It can be hard to decipher this kind of relationship as the lines are not defined properly and everything seems to be quite messy.
So, now that you have understood what’s a situationship, here are 16 signs that can tell you are in one:
1. There is no label
You and the person you are seeing do not believe in labels. This might be a sign of having commitment issues, but it can also mean that you do not wish to get serious and want to keep the relationship as casual as possible.
2. There is no growth in the relationship
When you are in a committed relationship, you see growth and evolution happening in the relationship and within yourself. However, in situantionship, you do not see any evolution or growth; it stays stagnant and often gets boring.
3. You do not talk about the future
You and your partner do not see any potential future in the relationship, which shows that you are not serious about it. In a committed relationship, the couple usually plans their future goals and is sure that they wish to spend their lives with you; however, it isn’t the same at all in situantionship.
4. Seeing other partners
The biggest sign of being in a situantionship is seeing other people and not being so open about it. It is taken as an obvious sign that if you are in a non-serious and casual relationship, you will be seeing other people. So if you are someone who is not exclusive with anyone and is on a dating spree with a bunch of other people, it is a situantionship.
5. Their friends or family do not know anything about you
Mostly, when you are in a serious relationship, your partner makes you meet your friends and family. However, in a situationship, you or your partner won’t even talk about this with anyone, let alone meet them. They keep it personal and do not wish to make it exclusive by making you meet with important people.
6. No emotional intimacy
When you are in a situantionship with someone, you do not share any emotional intimacy with them. You both only meet for sexual affairs and share a physical relationship with them.
7. There is inconsistency and instability in the relationship
You do not see any consistency or stability in the relationship; it is quite messy with lines not quite defined properly, and you both do not wish to think seriously about the relationship either.
8. You only talk dirty
The only conversation you both share is dirty talk or small talk with each other. There is no healthy communication between the two of you and it is more on the lines of the physical intimacy you both share.
9. There is no spark
You do not feel any kind of spark with each other; the incentive is to only meet your sexual desires and get disconnected from worldly problems for a while.
10. Their company doesn’t add to your life
The person’s company might not add any kind of benefit or value to your life. If they leave or end things, it won’t affect you as such, and you will move on from it pretty quickly rather than go through a whirlwind of heartbreak.
11. You do not feel anything for them
You aren’t attached to them or feel anything for them in particular. You have your priorities straight when it comes to coming into a casual relationship, which is that you wish to get your sexual needs met and have a little bit of fun in life.
12. You don’t feel like telling them about your personal life
When you are in a situantionship, you do not feel like telling them about your personal life, struggles, or anything that leads them on and makes them feel that you wish to be in a committed relationship. You have your boundaries intact and do not get close to them so easily.
13. You only meet for sexual affairs
You do not meet apart from having sexual affairs with them. There is no mental, emotional, or spiritual connectivity between you both.
14. You feel bored with them
You do not enjoy their company as such; you just enjoy the sex and the feeling it gives you. Other than that, it feels plain boring to be in their company.
15. You don’t want to make it exclusive
You and your partner only share a physical bond, so you both refrain from making it exclusive, as that would mean you both are serious and wish to take this relationship to the next level.
16. You both are each other’s rebound
To know that you are in a casual relationship, you would most definitely be each other’s rebound partner who is trying to get out of their previous relationship by engaging in harmless sex.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Being in a Situationship
Now that you have understood the signs of being in a situantionship, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of being in one. While people may have contrasting views on the same thing, it is up to you to decide which side suits your personality the best.
So here are the advantages and disadvantages of being in a situantionship:
Advantages of Being in a Situationship
Being in a situationship gives you the opportunity to explore, grow, and evolve in a way that helps you determine what kind of partner might suit you best.
You have the freedom to explore different genders or people, along with not having to worry about what your partner might think or say; you are your own person.
It is a great way to have fun, especially for people who have commitment issues or do not wish to be in a long-term relationship. With this kind of relationship, you can have ample joy and meet your sexual needs without any emotional intimacy.
A situationship can help you move on from a certain person and get distracted from their memories. People who have experienced tumultuous relationships can benefit from these kinds of relationships.
Disadvantages of Being in a Situationship
As you do not have any stability or consistency in this kind of relationship, it can become lonely after a point in time. Even though you might be scared to commit to a relationship, situantionship can worsen your inner self by making you escape from feelings that need introspection.
Situationship can make you feel that everything in your life is quite messy and vague, which can deeply affect your other areas of life.
It can fill you with immense emotions that you possibly cannot share with anyone, especially not with the person who is only there for physical intimacy.
Even though it is a situantionship, there can be conflicts between you and your partner as you both do not know each other and at times, human expectations can come in between and play tricks with your mind.
Can a Situationship Become a Relationship?
Yes, a situantionship can definitely turn into a committed relationship if both parties are ready for that kind of commitment. If both you and your partner are ready to let go of your early habits of being in a situantionship and are on the same page to give a committed relationship a try, a situationship can become a relationship.
However, it is important to discuss everything beforehand so there are no misunderstandings once you start dating seriously.
How to End a Situationship
Ending a relationship or even a situationship is never easy. Breaking up with someone you have been with for a long time can either affect you or the other person in the relationship. However, it is important to say it out loud rather than keep things working just because you don’t want to hurt them.
First and foremost, it is important that you are honest with the other person. Even though you both didn’t share much of an emotional bond, it is humane that you break things up with decency.
When you can see if you or the other person want to take this relationship to the next level but cannot because one of you doesn’t want that, then it is important that you save yourself from that or be honest with the other person.
Breaking up is never easy, so just getting done with it by being honest with yourself and the other person is how you can end a situationship.
When Should You Seek Professional Help?
If you feel you are not able to talk to the person about breaking up, taking things to the next level, or simply not being able to understand if these kinds of relationships are right for you or not, then you can seek professional help.
Talking to a professional about all this will help you detangle your thoughts and look at them objectively and with a clear mindset. So when you feel chaotic and like you are not able to understand how to tackle your situation, whether you feel it is big or small, you can talk to an online therapist about it and get all the relaxation your mind needs.
How can Now&Me help?
Our platform, Now&Me, is a safe place that helps you feel lighter by writing out whatever is weighing you down. It helps you understand yourself by engaging with like-minded people and seeking guidance from a panel of qualified experts. Join a community that helps you detangle your thoughts and understand your situationship through online therapy at Now&Me.
When you do not know how to deal with situationship, sign up on Now&Me and talk it out with professional experts. Be a part of a non-judgmental, inclusive, and friendly community. A platform made for you to readily ask for help and let our experts help you with whatever stresses you out.
Download the Now&Me app for free and discuss your inner conflicts with a panel of qualified experts and a loving community.