Every now and then, different terms arise in the world of modern relationships, and the one that has become quite buzzworthy recently is “Situationship.” One could say that it is essentially ambiguous dating, but do you know its essence, pros and cons, or even its similarities with a traditional relationship apart from ending with “ship”?
If not, then dive straight into this article to know all about this non-exclusive arrangement and whether it’s the thing you have been looking for or just a stone in the path of your true love.
What is a Situationship?
Situationship is one of the most trendy terms you can see thrown out a lot on the internet today. But what is it? We can describe it as a relationship without any labels. Dr. David Tzall, a licensed psychologist practicing in Brooklyn, defines it as:-
“A situationship is a romantic relationship that lacks clear definitions or commitment. It is a no-strings-attached relationship or emotional/sexual bond without a title. Partners won’t define their relationship, place it into a category, or set clear boundaries.”
There’s an uncertainty that comes with this sort of relationship. You are with a partner in a situation that’s between a casual fling and a committed relationship. It can go on for months or even years in comparison to a casual fling that only happens for a few days or weeks.
Situationships vs. Traditional Love
It’s important to know the stage where your relationship stands with your partner. If you want to experience the whole shebang of being in a timeless love, great; if you don’t want to be attached to somebody, then that’s also great. Both options work for different people. But it’s super important to know the gray area where they fall. Because if you are unclear, situationships can get in the way… Here are points where both of these relationships differ:
Labels
Situationship: You don’t have to label anyone in situationships. No boyfriend, partner, or anything. They can be just your friend.
Relationship: A relationship is based on defined labels, where the couple is each other’s partner.
Commitment
Situationship: Generally, people are free in their situationships, and there is no commitment between the couple, and they can pursue others.
Relationship: You are committed to your partner in a defined relationship.
Time
Situationship: Situationships generally last for only a few months or years.
Relationship: Relationships can transform into something more and even become long-lasting, where you become each other’s life partners.
Emotional Attachment
Situationship: Since ambiguity is on the surface, the parties maintain boundaries and try not to get emotionally or mentally attached.
Relationship: There is a big impact on emotions in a relationship where, if it may end, it can take days, months, or even years for a partner to come out of it.
Future & Expectations
Situationship: The future of situationships is undefined. It can go as long or as short as the people want. Both parties discuss the potential for development.
Relationship: It progresses and leads to the next stage of a relationship. For example, from a new fling to engagement.
What Are The Pros Of A Situationship?
As much as we all like and want our lives to have a fairytale romance and thus support the traditional classic love, there are some pros to situationships that are, in fact, the right answer for some people. Some situationship advantages include:-
Flexibility
Situationship is a great option for people with a busy schedule who want freedom and flexibility in their lives. As much as great timeless love is, relationships take a lot of work to uphold, so if the couple has come together with set boundaries, then they can enjoy each other’s company without doing much work.
Exploration
With ambiguous dating, you can get to explore the people of the world since you are not tied to your partner. This is among the most common situationship advantages and why people prefer it.
Low Pressure
If you do not work nicely with the pressure and emotional baggage of a committed relationship, then a situationship can be just the thing for you; it doesn’t have labels or expectations.
What Are The Cons Of A Situationship?
The Danger Of Really Falling/ Mangled-Up Feelings
Even though people can enter into a situationship, they may develop feelings because, well… we are all humans at the end of the day. Even after knowing all these “rules,” the lines can get blurred. The boundaries may be set, but the mind may not rule over the heart.
And that’s actually the biggest situationship disadvantage. When one person thinks they want to take their relationship further, the other is just happy in their situation (ship).
Lacks Emotions
The terms clear enough of how things would work in this scenario can look right at the start, but lacking emotion would be a situational disadvantage in the long run. Mark Travers, Ph.d, an American psychologist who’s the lead psychologist at Awake Therapy, a telehealth company, quotes:-
“Situationships are often based on a superficial connection despite the physical intimacy. There aren’t many talks about deep and meaningful things, and you don’t rely on each other for emotional support.”
Create Complexity
With no clear rules to guide a couple through, both partners may think they are at different stages in their situationship. This can further complicate their feelings. Dr. David Tzall quotes:
“Keeping a relationship as undefined denies the opportunity to navigate complex emotions and experiences.”
Similarities Between Committed Relationships and Situationships
As different as these two types of relationships come out to be, there are still some parallels between them. Some of them include:-
Creation Of Memories
In traditional dating and a situationship, the couple can go on to create a magical time. They get to create from different experiences.
Potential For Growth
Even if you are in a committed relationship, there’s a fifty-fifty chance that you will grow together with your partner, or the relationship may end. Similarly, situationships also have the potential to evolve into something more.
Both Can Become Toxic
In both types, you have to watch out for red flags. We cannot only pinpoint that to modern situationship disadvantages. Dating can turn ugly, no matter what name you give it.
Parting Words
There are both pros and cons to a situationship. For some, it is just the ideal thing where they are not tied up with anyone. For others, it can be a detour as they seek true love. But one thing is required in any relationship and situationship: you guys should be able to communicate and know where you stand.
