If you just started a new relationship with your partner, chances are you are still in a euphoric, getting to know each other period in the relationship known as the "honeymoon phase".
As the term implies, the honeymoon phase is similar to the euphoria experienced by newly married couples. Typically, couples experience the honeymoon phase at the onset of every relationship.
It comes after a period of awkwardness with the other person in the initial stages of the relationship. There are some cases, however, where couples do not experience this phase at all.
In the honeymoon phase, you never run out of excitement for each other. Everything just seems carefree and happy, and feelings of attraction, curiosity, and lust for each other are at their peak.
The duration of the honeymoon phase in every relationship can last for weeks, months, and in some cases, even years. This phase in the relationship comes and goes, but it is not at all impossible to revisit this period of excitement again.
While this period typically happens at the start of any romantic relationship, partners can make ways to rekindle the honeymoon spark once again at any stage of the relationship.
Why do couples experience the Honeymoon phase?
Most experts would explain that the reason behind the emotional high couples experiences during the honeymoon phase is the fact that they do not know each other well enough to be aware of the other person's undesirable traits and behaviors. Hence, they still view each other in perfect light.
For them, the person they are freshly in a relationship with is extremely fascinating and flawless. In this period, couples are more prone to focus on the potential of having a perfect relationship, focusing less on the ugly truths about the relationship.
Do all relationships undergo the honeymoon phase?
Experiencing the honeymoon phase and how long it can last vary from one relationship to another.
While some couples can experience a considerably lengthy honeymoon phase, some couples have short-lived honeymoon phases, and some couples don't experience it at all.
Whether you experience a honeymoon phase in the relationship or not shouldn't be much cause for concern.
Undergoing the honeymoon phase is not detrimental to the success of the relationship. In fact, you can still have a healthy relationship even without it.
As mentioned earlier, people who experience the honeymoon phase may project an unrealistic perception of their significant other and the relationship they share. This gives them a clouded perspective about what kind of person their significant other truly is, hindering the relationship from moving forward.
On the other hand, couples who have not experienced a honeymoon phase in the relationship may potentially have a longer-lasting love because not experiencing the honeymoon phase can allow them to have a more realistic perception of their significant other and the relationship.
However, it is important to remember that chemistry is supposed to grow over time in order for a romantic relationship to truly work.
Further, a relationship has more chances of working if attraction and interest is more evident than simply pure lust and longing for each other.
How long does the honeymoon phase last?
The length of the honeymoon phase in a relationship typically lasts from six months to two years, and it varies from one couple to another. Some honeymoon phases are short-lived, while other couples get to experience and enjoy this phase for years.
How long this phase lasts generally depends on the overall compatibility with your partner and how the relationship began to stir.
Other factors such as personal life events, individual traits, and characteristics, as well as how long it took for both persons to fall in love, can affect how long couples can experience the honeymoon phase.
Related: How Long Does Infatuation Last
How to tell if you are still in the honeymoon phase?
The basic rule of thumb to tell if you and your partner are still in the honeymoon phase is if everything in the relationship still seems dreamy and perfect.
Pay attention to how you see your partner and your feelings, whether you are with him or not.
Below are just a few questions you can ask yourself to know if you and your partner are still experiencing your honeymoon phase in the relationship.
- Do you perceive him to be someone without any fault?
- Do you believe that the two of you are a hundred percent compatible with each other?
- Do you seldom have bad days in the relationship?
- Do the two of you never run out of intense and passionate sexual energy for each other at least 90% of the time?
Moreover, couples in the honeymoon phase are more compromising and tolerating of their partner. You always want to be in each other's presence, and you miss them right away if they have been gone for just a few seconds.
How to make the best out of the honeymoon phase?
- Make sure every moment is worth it.
You can never be entirely sure how long the honeymoon phase can last in the relationship. This is why the best thing to do is to make sure that every moment is worth it.
Use this happy, peaceful phase in the relationship to your advantage. You can go on many dates or try out new things with your partner and simply enjoy each other's company.
- Take time to get to know each other better.
You can also use the never-ending excitement in the honeymoon phase by getting to know your significant other better. Make sure you understand each other more profound than the surface level.
It is also a great time to make meaningful memories together that doesn't have to be too grand.
- Just relax and avoid making big decisions.
Even if how enjoyable and perfect your time together is, do not make the mistake of making significant decisions that can drastically change your life.
If you are still in the honeymoon phase in your new relationship, avoid making big life decisions like moving in together or purchasing a new car or place.
Being in the honeymoon phase, you may feel the need to make decisions to show your commitment to each other, but this shouldn't be so.
Instead, take your time and relax. Focus your energy in making sure that the future you want to spend with your new partner is truly a worthwhile one.
Related: 100 Reasons Why I Love You
How to tell if the honeymoon phase has ended?
Several signs tell whether a couple has just got out of their honeymoon phase.
- You begin to see your significant other's flaws.
From having an almost perfect perception of your partner, you now realize they are not that perfect at all. You now see how annoying they can be at times.
- You aren't as tolerating as before.
From having an as little argument as possible about matters in the relationship, you begin to notice that you tend to argue more now. You notice and begin to call your partner out to address a concern in the relationship.
Although, this is entirely normal in any relationship. It can help partners build a stronger and healthier relationship as it allows them to take relationship concerns into light and address it.
- Your sexual energy levels for each other have decreased.
If you initially began the relationship with considerably high sexual energy levels for each other, you would notice that the sexual passion is not as peaking as before.
There is still sexual energy for your partner, but the frequency of making love to your partner has decreased compared to how it was before.
- You begin to doubt if the relationship is solid.
While this can initially sound like a bad thing, these kinds of changes are entirely normal in a fresh romantic relationship. In fact, a relationship must experience these kinds of setbacks for the relationship to flourish.
Whenever you and your partner experience this kind of setback, you must mutually decide what must best be done for the relationship to work for both of you.
Typically, the end of the honeymoon phase is the beginning of experiencing hardships in the relationship. Most people would think the relationship has ended because they no longer feel that extreme excitement for each other.
However, a relationship is meant to undergo its different phases, and the honeymoon phase is just one of these. Just because couples experience hardships in the relationship doesn't mean that they're no longer compatible with each other.
Having occasional disagreements and doubts about the relationship can be advantageous for the relationship in some instances if both partners commit to working their way through their hardships together.
In fact, the period after every honeymoon phase is a period where couples get the chance to build a stronger long-term relationship that can overcome whatever life may bring to them in the future.
What to do after the honeymoon phase ends?
Think of the end of the honeymoon phase as a period of getting to know your significant other on a more mature and deeper level. Familiarize yourselves with each other's wants and needs, as well as fears and doubts.
The excitement level would depend on which aspect of the relationship both partners will take into priority.
If you want to continue having the same sexual energy levels for each other as you did in the honeymoon phase, couples must consciously and constantly prioritize it in the relationship.
You can even try setting a sex schedule that is mutually decided upon to ensure that your sex life remains to be active.
Takeaway
The honeymoon phase, like any other relationship phase, comes and goes. Just as any season in the relationship, it offers an opportunity for mutual growth, be it in a personal or a relationship context.
Couples are supposed to make the most out of it while it lasts and never fear its end. Having a certain level of awareness that the relationship you share with your significant other can experience its highs and lows can help you value each other and the relationship more.
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