At the same time, you are not sure if you should bring this into the conversation for fear that the other person might think you are trying to move things too fast. Here are some ways to see which stage your relationship is in without having to have any big discussions.
Relationships are Exclusive While Dating Doesn't Have to Be
The very first thing that differentiates a relationship and dating is the level of exclusivity between the partners. When you make the step from casually dating to exclusive dating, going on a casual date with someone else or talking to people online is out of the picture.
When you are simply dating, you might have agreed to only go on dates with one another or the other person might want to date multiple people. They might even want to be sexual with other people and not just you.
This shows you the difference between dating and a relationship and unless you have both agreed on an open situation, you are definitely still in the dating stage. Dating does not entail exclusivity while a relationship unless it is an open one, is much more exclusive.
You Actually Don't Want to See Anyone Else
At the stage where you are exclusively dating, right before you enter the serious relationship stage, you will see that you really don't care about dating anyone else anymore.
This is something that both partners need to be on the same page about and usually happens organically when the relationship progresses. This is a middle ground between casual dating and a serious relationship, where you are dating exclusively the other person and don't want to see anyone else.
This is a normal and healthy step that can show you a lot about the other person, how they perceive the situation between you and whether they are the right person for you.
You Prioritize Each Other's Company Over Other People
One of the things that shows you that you and your boo are serious is that you would rather have a movie night than meet out with other people. Enjoying each other's company and staying at home together shows you are comfortable with one another and have fun together. This is a great sign that the relationship is moving forward.
People in a committed relationship are much more likely to enjoy doing fun activities together like going on dates or even spending time at home. This person is your best friend, lover, and partner and you know that when you can see all three in them you are in a defined relationship.
You Have Expectations About Many Different Things
When you start having expectations from the other person, this is another sign that you are passing on different stages of the relationship. When you are just dating, you wouldn't necessarily expect them to remember birthdays or other important dates.
When these things start becoming important to you, and you see that they also put effort into keeping up with important dates and other events, you know you have moved on from the dating stage. Relationships oftentimes hang by the details and many partners expect to remember the little things.
When you are dating someone without knowing how long you will be around this person, you most likely won't put the effort into planning a birthday surprise or attending an important event with them.
The point is that you are not afraid to show your commitment to one another and you feel comfortable being there for important occasions. When you start to expect your partner to care about these things, you are definitely in a relationship.
It's Not All About Sex Anymore
Casual dating usually involves a lot of sex and depending on the situation, this might not be exclusive. After some time of dating someone, you become comfortable being around one another and have fun spending time in each other's company.
When your interactions stop centering around sex and you enjoy the intimacy that is forming between you, you know you are no longer just dating. On the flip side, not being too interested in sex with a partner you have only been seeing for some months can show signs that a relationship is near its break.
Intimacy grows when the people involved in romantic relationships start to get to know each other better, communicate openly, and show trust. This is a great foundation for a long-term partnership that can flourish on love and care for one another.