You’ve met someone new, and they make you feel incredible. They’re spontaneous, fun and romantic. From the way your heart skips a beat when you’re near them, you’re starting to wonder whether this could be the real deal. You’re so excited about what the two of you have that the chances are you haven’t thought about any of the practicalities of a new relationship. Yes, new relationships are a lot of fun, but there’s also the practical side of them to think about.
Sorry to burst your loved up, little bubble, but a new relationship can be tricky for many reasons. First there’s the totally embarrassing ‘what are we?’ talk – cue red cheeks and a lot of stuttering. Then there’s the stress of talking about past relationships and your sexual health, and dare we say it, STD’s. Not to mention the fact that, at some point or another, your new beau has to meet your friends and family. See what we mean? A new relationship comes with a lot of navigating.
Getting through those first few months of seeing someone new is hard, but if they’re the one, it’s more than worth the stress. To help you make the start of your relationship a little easier – the ups and the downs, here’s what you need to do:
Don’t stress about labels
It’s easy to get caught up in what you and your new beau are to each other, but there’s no need to. Be realistic, putting a label on what the two of your have isn’t going to make it any better. If anything, it’ll only add more stress to the relationship.
Don’t worry about what to introduce him as, just call him by his name. Let’s be honest about it, “This is Sam” is the easiest introduction to make, and there’s no confusion or stress. You can worry about labels later on, but for now, have fun. The one thing you could mention, if you want to, is that you don’t see other people. To find out more about labels in relationships, check out cyberdatingexpert.com.
Be smart about sex
In a new relationship, it’s easy to hop straight into bed. However, it’s important to be smart about sex. Yes, if you fancy someone it’s natural to want to be intimate with them, but there’s no point rushing it. Believe it or not, there are plenty of ways you can be intimate with one and another without having sex. Hand holding, cuddling and kissing are all intimate acts that will bring you and your new beau closer together.
That being said, if you’ve already had sex, that’s also fine. After all, every couple is different. Some people feel comfortable having sex on the first date while others prefer to wait a while. The most important thing when it comes to new relationship sex is ensuring that you’re smart about it.
Obviously, using condoms is a must, even if you’re using another form of contraception. It’s also a good idea that you and your new partner get a full STD check, just to make sure you’re both healthy. To find out more about this, visit saferstdtesting.com. It might be an awkward conversation to have, but your health is important, so talking about STD’s is a must.
Make meeting friends and family fun stress-free
If you care about your new partner, don’t worry about what he’ll think, invite him to meet your nearest and dearest. If he feels the same as you do, he’ll jump at the chance to meet your friends and family. The best way to introduce someone new is at a large social gathering so that the two of you won’t be the main focus.
Obviously, you can also arrange a more intimate meeting between your beau and your closest friends and family. However, as a first meeting, a busy party or social event is ideal. It makes the first meeting less daunting and stressful for everyone involved.
Don’t move too fast
When you really like someone, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment. However, it’s important that you take things slowly and enjoy getting to know one another before getting in too deep. It’s easy to move quickly, when you have strong feelings for someone, but it’s important to take things at a slow pace.
Sometimes, we mistake lust for love, which is why it’s so important to take time to get to know someone before diving in deep. Before you decide what you want from your new partner, take the time to get to know everything about them.
Talk about your hopes and dreams and what you want from the future. This is important as if you dream of having a big family and he doesn’t want kids, this is a major issue. It’s better to find out about these type of things sooner rather than later, hence why getting to know each other is important.
Divide your time
Don’t be the girl who goes AWOL as soon as she meets a new guy. Your friends have been there for you through thick and thin, and if you treat them right, they always will be. To find out how to split your time fairly, visit seventeen.com and have a read. If you value your friendships, it’s important to make time for your friends as well as your new beau.
Aim to spend no more than half your free time each week with your new partner. Else, you’ll end up not making time for your friends. You might want to be with him 24/7, but if you want your relationship to be a healthy one, you need to set boundaries.
Have fun together
Make the most of the time you have together by planning fun activities and days out. Sometimes, it’s nice to stay in, but don’t spend all you time snuggled up in bed together. Get out and do things together; explore a new city, go to the beach, have a fancy dinner. If you want your relationship to last, you need to make it fun and interesting.
As well as hanging out just the two of you, plan day dates with your friends. Group activities and days out can be a lot of fun as it gives you a chance to spend time with him as well as your friends.
There you have it, the ultimate guide to navigating the ins and outs of a new relationship.
