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The 6 Stages Of Dating In Your 20s
Though they don’t necessarily happen chronologically, here are several undeniable stages we all cycle through at one point or another.
By Heidi Priebe
Let’s face it: our 20s are an incredibly strange time to be looking for love. We are smack-dab in the middle of trying to figure out who we are and at the same time we’re supposed to be getting to know somebody else and working out how they might fit into our lives. As a result, our love lives take a lot of strange turns. Though they don’t necessarily happen chronologically, here are several undeniable stages we all cycle through at one point or another.
1. The empowered/independent stage.
You’re young, you have a bustling life of your own, and you couldn’t care less about settling down. Sure, there are guys or girls you meet at bars who turn into the occasional romp but it’s not a big deal if you ever see them again. You have a thriving career, a busy social calendar, and enough sex appeal to stop anyone dead in their tracks. You avoid relationships because who has time for that drama? You’re loving your life and it’s loving you right on back.
2. The serious stage.
Okay, something happened. Maybe your best friend got engaged. Maybe your fuck-buddy grew persistent. Or maybe the honest-to-God love of your life just walked through the door and made you re-evaluate everything. But somehow you ended up here: In serious relationship land. And chances are you couldn’t be happier.
The first serious relationship you have in your 20s is invigorating because you get to play house. Nothing feels more grown-up than picking out living room furniture with a significant other or telling you’re parents “We’re coming home for Thanksgiving” rather than “I’m.” You encounter the terrifying realization that you’re actually old enough to get married and have babies and though you’re in no rush, you play around with the idea for a while. It feels like something that grown-up-you could do. Maybe even with this person who lives in your bedroom and has sex with you regularly. That wouldn’t be so bad. It’s a surprisingly comforting thought.
