00:00 (upbeat music)
00:02 During the first couple of dates
00:08 and the time between these meetups,
00:10 the days seem to rush by
00:11 in a blur of passion and excitement.
00:14 We're so caught up in the thrill of meeting someone new
00:17 that we can't even step back and process what's going on.
00:21 Although we might feel lost in this whirlwind of emotions,
00:24 our relationships usually stick to a pretty common formula.
00:28 Here are a few stages that almost
00:30 all relationships will follow.
00:32 The first stage, attraction.
00:34 Our relationships first begin
00:37 when we set eyes on our new partner.
00:40 Although we haven't started dating yet,
00:42 we feel an undeniable pull
00:44 towards this enchanting new person.
00:46 At this point, you might walk up and introduce yourself.
00:49 Who knows, you might even start flirting,
00:51 dropping a compliment here and there.
00:53 And in 2019, this initial stage
00:56 might not even take place in person.
00:58 Many people meet someone new on social media
01:00 or through a dating app.
01:02 The second stage, learning more about them.
01:06 Once we're attracted to someone,
01:07 we usually feel a desire to learn more about them.
01:10 Sometimes we discover more about this person
01:12 through conversation,
01:13 and sometimes we learn more about them
01:15 after checking out their social media profiles.
01:17 Better yet, we might even ask mutual friends
01:20 for more juicy details about this new person.
01:23 All of this new information helps us decide
01:25 whether or not they're a good fit.
01:27 The third stage, building comfort and trust.
01:31 In an article published by Oxford's
01:33 Department of Experimental Psychology,
01:35 comfort and trust was identified
01:37 as a major stage in all relationships.
01:40 This is when both partners start to let their guards down,
01:43 testing the waters to see if the relationship
01:45 might be stable and sustainable in the future.
01:48 During this stage, it helps if partners are honest,
01:51 non-violent, and forgiving.
01:53 Interestingly, Oxford researchers stated that
01:57 physical touch is incredibly effective
01:59 when it comes to building trust.
02:01 The fourth stage, actually going on dates.
02:06 At this point, we go on dates regularly.
02:08 In previous stages, we might have been
02:10 a little unsure about our partners,
02:13 but now we've settled into a comfortable rhythm of dating
02:15 and consistently enjoying each other's company.
02:18 As we date more and more,
02:19 both partners build a stronger connection
02:21 based on mutual interests, trust, and attraction.
02:25 By the end of this stage,
02:26 we're comfortable with being vulnerable around them.
02:29 The fifth stage, seduction.
02:32 According to that same Oxford study,
02:35 seduction is one of the final stages of a relationship.
02:39 This is where we truly open ourselves
02:41 to the possibility of passionate intimacy.
02:44 According to Oxford researchers,
02:46 women need more time to develop this emotional connection
02:49 when compared to men.
02:50 When we reach this stage,
02:51 we stop thinking of ourselves as singular beings.
02:54 Instead, we start to become one with our partners.
02:57 We feel their emotions and understand their experiences
03:00 on a deeper level, as if they were our own.
03:03 The sixth stage, the honeymoon phase.
03:08 Most of our viewers are probably familiar
03:10 with this phase of a relationship.
03:12 In the first six months or so,
03:13 everything seems new in a relationship,
03:16 and this could be explained by scientific studies.
03:19 Researchers tested nerve growth factors
03:21 and cortisol levels of couples
03:23 within the first few months of a relationship.
03:25 These levels were very high,
03:27 resulting in feelings of euphoria and reduced stress.
03:30 But when they tested those same levels
03:32 12 to 24 months later, the levels had returned to normal.
03:36 This suggests that relationships are only truly tested
03:39 after the honeymoon stage is over
03:41 and the physiological love cocktail has worn off.
03:45 The seventh stage, the doubting phase.
03:49 This is the make or break stage for relationships.
03:52 Doubts usually start to creep in after a few years,
03:55 and making it this far is a real accomplishment,
03:58 but the biggest hurdle is yet to come.
04:01 You need to overcome all of these doubts
04:03 if you want the relationship to succeed.
04:06 Partners might start worrying about the unknown future,
04:08 their individual career paths and interests,
04:11 and whether or not their partner fits into all of this.
04:14 If it's not meant to be,
04:15 it'll become obvious during this stage.
04:18 In this current age of social media,
04:19 it's very easy to start comparing our own relationships
04:22 to other perfect couples we see online.
04:25 This makes the stage of doubts
04:26 even tougher to get through in 2019.
04:29 The eighth stage, commitment and stability.
04:35 Once you reach this stage, you're home free.
04:38 After many, many years,
04:39 you're completely and unconditionally
04:41 in love with each other.
04:43 You know each other better than any other person on earth,
04:46 and you regularly find yourself
04:47 predicting each other's actions
04:49 and knowing what to say to comfort your partner
04:50 during stressful times.
04:52 Most importantly, you don't take each other for granted.
04:56 You're happy with the direction of the relationship,
04:58 and you might even start building projects
05:00 and creating things together.
05:02 Who knows?
05:03 Maybe a family?
05:05 Let us know if you agree with our eight stages of dating.
05:07 If we've left anything out,
05:09 be sure to let us know in the comments below.
05:12 (upbeat music)
05:15 (gentle music)
05:17 (gentle music)
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