how to end a situationship
Have you found yourself stuck in a situationship that just isn’t working out?
You keep wishing that he would change his mind and agree to a committed relationship, while he is happy with things as they are.
Yeah, I know that dilemma really well. In fact, there was a time when I considered myself a situationship expert.
Luckily, not anymore.
To help you get through this, I decided to share with you how to end a situationship.
What is a situationship?
A situationship is a romantic relationship that has no clear labels or commitment.
It’s like the Twilight Zone between a platonic friendship and a romantic relationship because it includes physical intimacy despite a lack of commitment.
In a situationship, the two people involved act like they’re in a relationship, but without actually defining the relationship or committing to a future together.
Eventually, it gets so confusing and emotionally complicated that it leads to anxiety and frustration.
Check out this post for more signs you’re in a situationship.
How to get out of a situationship
Ending a situationship can be tough. Here are some steps to help you to end a situationship and move on to a more fulfilling relationship.
1. Be honest with yourself
Before you end a situationship, it’s important to take a step back, assess your feelings, and ask yourself some questions.
Are you truly happy with a casual relationship? Are you getting what you need emotionally and physically?
If not, it’s time, to be honest with yourself and acknowledge that the situationship isn’t meeting your needs.
2. Communicate clearly
Once you’ve made the decision to end the situationship, it’s important to have an honest conversation with him.
Be direct and truthful about your feelings and explain why you think it’s best to end things.
It may feel uncomfortable and scary at first, but by the end, you will find that you feel relieved and more confident.
Remember to be respectful and not scream at your current partner.
3. Set boundaries
After the end of a situationship, it’s important to set clear boundaries.
A lot of time it will mean cutting off contact completely to protect your mental health and be able to move on.
Or it may mean limiting communication to a minimum, while your romantic feelings dissipate.
Whatever boundaries you set, make sure to stick to them and prioritize your emotional well-being.
4. Take time for self-care
A situationship breakup can be emotionally draining, so it’s important to take time for self-care and tend to your own needs.
Focus on activities that make you happy and bring you joy, such as exercise or reading. Or spend time with loved ones, like your family members and best friend.
Ideally, refrain from using a dating app or social media at this time.
5. Move on
Once you feel ready and healed it’s time to move on to a more fulfilling long-term relationship.
Whether you decide to actively seek out a new partner or not, make sure to take the lessons you learned from the situationship with you.
And if you feel unsure how to use those lessons to help you in future relationships, get help from relationship experts online.
I’m a big believer in learning from others. Especially when it comes to dating.
Walking away from a situationship can be tough because it makes you doubt yourself. But by following these steps, you can navigate it with more confidence.
Why ending a situationship is so hard
The reason why it takes so long to get over a situationship is that situationships are emotionally complex and confusing.
They often lack clear boundaries and labels, which can lead to self-doubt and low self-esteem.
This can make it difficult to move on from the situationship and can leave you feeling emotionally drained and exhausted.
Additionally, situationships often involve a strong emotional attachment between two people.
Even though the relationship was official or long-lasting, you got emotionally attached to him which can be difficult to break.
You may find yourself longing for the sexual relationship that you had with him, even if the relationship wasn’t healthy or fulfilling.
Getting over a situationship can be hard because you have to let go of someone that you care about.
That’s why it’s important to be kind to yourself and take the time that you need to heal.
How long a situationship should last
A situationship should last no longer than 3 months to avoid catching feelings for the other person and avoid settling for a long-term undefined romantic relationship.
However, it can vary depending on the people involved and your individual needs.
Some situationships last a few weeks, while others may last for several months or even years.
But, it’s important to understand that situationships are not meant to be long-term relationships.
A non-committal relationship or casual hookup situation isn’t designed to go on forever, which is why so many situationships end up being toxic.
Unfortunately, in today’s generation, most relationships start off like that before they eventually turn into more serious relationships.
And without a mutual understanding of the rules of a situationship, they end up lasting too long.