The Relationship Process

This is the first installment of an eight part article that I will be posting in segments over the next few weeks.  Eventually links will be provided to the various stages as I complete the posts, but please bear with me for now.

So, you want to be in "a relationship." ;)

I can help you with that.  You can be in a relationship with me!  In fact, you already are.  Our relationship is probably not a romantic relationship, but as you read you are deciding whether or not to trust me.  At this point you either think I'm funny or a total creep, but I'm both so hear me out.

Consider this: you are in a relationship with everyone you know.  This includes your online interactions too, which is likely why you're reading these words.

This is The Relationship Process:
Stage 1: Being Alone --> Stage 2: Hanging Out --> Stage 3: Casual Dating --> Stage 4: Exclusive Dating --> Stage 5: Engagement --> Stage 6: Marriage

We spend most of our lives developing relationships in stage 2.  I would invite you to take time to develop your relationships, not just with someone you're interested in dating, but with everyone in your life.  Instead of worrying about what others think of you, worry about how you think of others.  I have to say, you probably wouldn't worry about what other people thought of you if you would take the time to be their friend.
 

 

"You spend your whole life trying to get people to like you, and then you run over one person with your car. And it's not even one of the popular ones, and everybody gets on your case. Doesn't make any sense..." - Michael Scott

If you want friends, be a friend.  If you want someone to talk to, talk to someone.  We can't just sit around and wait for someone to love us.  Well, we can, but its a lot more depressing to do it that way.  Someone has to start the friendship, so why not you?

I guarantee that you will have more enriching experiences in stage 3 and stage 4 relationships as you put more effort into your stage two relationships.