When is it the right time to take your relationship to the next step?

1. 60

   Alya roseposted 13 years ago

   When is it the right time to take your relationship to the next step?
   
   I have no clue what I'm doing and I don't know what to do!lol help!

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2. 78

   dashingscorpioposted 13 years ago

   There is no easy way to take a "risk" to find out if a person wants the same thing you want especially if you are becoming emotionally invested.
   
   If a person is uncomfortable with bringing up "our relationship status" the best thing to do is (ask him/her if they are dating other people.)The answer to this question will let you know where you stand.
   It also allows both people the opportunity to state if they want to date exclusively. You might also ask (where do you see us 5 years from now.) If there is any hesitation you'll also have your answer.
   
   What does "the next step" mean?
   A 18 year old who has been dating someone since they were 16 should not be thinking egagement/marriage is the "next step".
   
   With regard to marriage it's not about "time" as much as "who" "where" and "Why".
   
   The "who" (is this the person you really want to spend the rest of your life with?) Do you share the same goals?
   Are they financially stable, mature, honest, trust worthy, attentive to your needs...etc
   
   The "where" ( Are you in the right place at this point in your life to take on all of the responsibilities that come with marriage and a family?) Have you completed your education, began to build a career, paid down your debts, have enough life experience to know YOURSELF and what you truly want in a mate.
   
   The "Why" (If things are great the way they are what do you think will improve by going to the "next step"? What will the step after that one be? You don't go to the next step simply because you want a "new title" or you've been dating the same person for a certain amount of time, all of your friends are getting married...etc
   Marriage is not the be all end all.
   Too many people think once  they're married they can "relax".
   They stop doing most of the things that caused their mate to fall in love with them. Marriage requires the same effort as dating.
   Commitment does not mean it's ok to take someone for granted. In any relationship we are either neglecting or nurturing. It's easier to maintain a fire than it is to reignite a spark.
   Don't think that by going to the "next step" life gets easier. A happy marriage is a real "labor of love."

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3. 60

   Alya roseposted 13 years ago

   I am in no way thinking marriage I'm too young for that^_^thank your for answering^_^

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4. 87

   nochanceposted 13 years ago

   When it feels right. If you're only 17 then you really don't need to worry about that. Just keep doing what you're doing. The next couple steps along your line would be living together and then engagement, then marriage. That's all the steps there really are. You don't really have to know what you're doing. You're young. Just do what feels right. If you're uncomfortable then step back for a little bit.

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