Casual relationships can often be a challenging experience. Although many people choose casual dating for different reasons, it can bring many questions over time, especially if the situation gets more serious.
Experiencing this type of relationship can often make you feel confused as it requires you to go with the flow and stay grounded. However, you may start catching feelings that can lead to a new set of problems in the future.
As everyone has different emotional intelligence and a different way of rationalizing everything that’s going on between you and your hookup, there are some things you should know before you decide to experiment and create a no-strings-attached relationship with someone.
How long should a casual relationship last?
You can’t mathematically calculate or plan the duration of a casual relationship since it has a lot to do with the goodwill of both parties. The answer depends on the two casually dating people and their attitude toward it.
However, remember that nothing lasts forever. Sometimes you must end your casual relationship for multiple reasons. For instance, you, your partner, or both are ready for something more serious, or one of you is insecure, negatively affecting the relationship. One of you might even experience harassment, which is the biggest reason to end things.
The best advice we can give you is not to let it go on for too long. Although casual relationships may seem fun, if you don’t end them at the right moment, they could bring you a new set of problems in the future and potentially get you hurt.
What’s a casual relationship?
Every type of casual relationship can function differently, and it’s hard to define one. However, we can easily say that relationships based on intimacy and having fun are those we call casual or informal.
The chances are you will start a casual relationship with someone you are attracted to but want to avoid the moment where you feel the butterflies in your stomach. That someone can be a long-lost friend, a person you met on a dating app, or a one-night stand.
Being in a casual relationship means that both of you can function in a way that isn’t exclusive. The time you spend together can be infrequent, and you may also experience less personal communication and spend more time through intimacy.
Are casual relationships a good idea?
There is no correct answer to this question, as everyone has their own opinion on informal relationships. Therefore, we can agree that the quality of a casual relationship depends on both individuals and their attitudes towards it.
Casual hookups can be a good option for people going through a post-breakup phase and looking for a rebound. Also, people who feel lonely but aren’t ready for commitment choose this dating style. That’s why casual relationships are so popular nowadays.
On the other hand, casual relationships can often emerge into fully committed relationships in days or months. Since it’s difficult to control our emotions, it’s not easy to determine whether you’re making the right decision.
What are the benefits of casual dating?
Although casual dating can be a stressful experience for some people, others enjoy the informal approach and the idea of having fun with someone without being emotionally involved. Therefore, there are many benefits casual dating can bring you.
One of the biggest reasons people choose to date casually is the ability to be with someone and not get emotionally attached to them. The leisure part of it is what makes it casual and informal.
You might experience fun times with them and learn what type of person can suit you best intimately. Also, you might learn something new about yourself and the approach you want to have for any future informal or formal relationships.
What are the red flags to look out for in a casual relationship?
As casual relationships can bring you both good and bad things, you need to acknowledge some of the red flags you may see from the beginning. If you don’t pay attention to those red flags, you won’t have a good time in the future.
One of the basic red flags you can acknowledge is your partner’s overly aggressive behavior, acts of jealousy and possession, and vulnerability. You may also experience different types of covered-up harassment.
Therefore, you should always keep an eye out for the types of people who can hurt you in any way possible. If you think that they can hurt you and feel like they’re harassing you, we advise you to contact your local authorities and share your problem with them.
Can casual relationships become serious?
The answer is yes – casual dating can turn into a committed relationship, and it may be good refreshment for people who have a hard time dating regularly. The odds of a casual relationship becoming a serious one are high.
However, not all relationships turn out to be “happily ever after.” Some people are just not ready to fully commit to someone and would rather spend their time having fun. Also, many people enjoy casual relationships just for the sake of the benefits of not being emotionally involved.
Many excellent relationships started as casual hookups and are still thriving today. Although those relationships weren’t serious at first, they can undoubtedly make you fall in love with someone fast. Something about not being fully committed can make a person open up and catch feelings for the other.
How can you know if casual dating is right for you?
Casual dating isn’t for everyone. Some people may feel uncomfortable spending time with someone they’ve just met. Also, many people experience difficulties when having a more leisurely relationship with someone, especially if they’re new to casual dating.
If you wish to give casual dating a try, we recommend you fully understand the concept before getting into it. We also advise you to communicate and see what both of you would like to get out of that experience.
The best way to find out whether casual dating is right for you is to try it. Only by experiencing it firsthand will you understand that the quality of the casual relationship you may have depends on the person on the other side.
Also, you can always talk to someone who has experienced casual dating in the past. Pick their brain, get expert advice, and learn from their mistakes.
How should you act in a casual relationship?
It’s essential to establish an attitude towards the relationship, especially if you don’t know the person well. That can make you have double thoughts on your decisions, your approach, and how you act.
However, you should always know that you should be yourself and let the situation move its natural course. Things like playing hard to get and acting like someone you’re not can drive someone away from you.
On the other hand, we advise you to keep your head high and stay grounded and emotionally stable. Also, don’t forget to be careful when getting into a new casual relationship, especially if you haven’t met the person before.
What should you do if you start catching feelings?
Since we’re all emotional beings, catching feelings when casually dating is not uncommon. It often happens in informal relationships, and it can be challenging to control your emotions, especially if you’re falling in love with someone.
If that does happen, you may feel confused and unsure whether you should come clean about what you’re feeling or suck it up and say nothing. Most people choose to let the feeling go and continue their casual dating format.
However, we think that being in a casual relationship with someone you have feelings for can turn out to be a painful and stressful experience.
We advise you to talk to the person you’re dating and try to come up with a solution. Maybe they feel the same way but are afraid to say it because they don’t want to lose you. You won’t know until you speak up.
What if your partner starts catching feelings?
Feelings in casual relationships represent a tricky ground for both parties. As it can be uncomfortable for you to catch feelings for someone, it can also be awkward being on the other side and learning that someone started having feelings for you.
If that person shares how they feel about you, we recommend you listen to them and find the best solution for the problem together. The answer also depends on your feelings for them and your approach to your relationship.
If you aren’t interested in moving your relationship to the next level, you must share your opinion openly and honestly. Try to explain that you aren’t interested in starting a serious relationship and want to continue dating casually. If informality no longer works for your partner, go your separate ways before someone gets hurt.
Can you get hurt in a casual relationship?
As we’ve previously mentioned, many casual relationships can turn into serious relationships when both sides feel the same way. That could lead to different types of problems you may come across.
However, the odds of you getting hurt depend on your approach and your feelings toward the person you’re casually dating. If you let your guard down and show your vulnerability, there’s a big chance you may get hurt along the way.
There are some ways to keep your emotional stability at a high level. Try to have a clear head when making any decision regarding your relationship. You can also keep your fears to yourself and try not to take your casual relationship too seriously.
Can casual relationships change your attitude toward dating?
Being in a casual relationship can affect your opinion on regular dating, especially if your relationship lasts for too long. Having a no-strings-attached experience with someone can make you lose the feeling of what it’s like to be in a normal relationship.
On the other hand, some people can manage to tell the difference between dating both casually and formally and be aware of the way they should act in both cases. You must have an unbreakable character and a clear head to avoid mixing the two.
So, make sure you know what both casual and serious relationships can offer you. Getting emotionally involved and risking getting hurt can make you lose interest in future dating. Because of that, we advise you to keep your head high and don’t lose hope.
Communication is key
One of the most important things that keeps a casual relationship functional is the communication you have with another person. As many problems can come up along the way, you should be able to talk about them and try to find the best solution to your problems.
Open and honest communication can also help you meet someone better and learn what they want and how they feel about your relationship. The better you communicate, the better the relationship between you.
It’s also crucial to communicate in cases where you are uncertain whether you should continue seeing each other or not. Sometimes, an honest talk about ending it all can be a better option than sticking to the first plan and experiencing difficulties because of your choices.
Conclusion
Being in a casual relationship may seem pretty straightforward. However, it can be a double-edged sword. It can be challenging to determine whether casual dating is the right option for your needs, but you can never know if you never try.
As many questions regarding casual dating may pop into your head, we advise you to be natural and make decisions according to how you feel. If you feel like the casual relationship you’re in doesn’t affect you in a good way, maybe it’s time to step back and consider other options.
We hope we’ve helped you find everything you wanted to know about casual dating. Remember to always stay true to yourself and never let any relationship determine who you are and what you want, whether it’s a committed or a no-strings-attached relationship.