The idea of starting a romantic relationship with another person may seem like nothing but a dream come. Going out on dates and doing fun things together, getting to know someone you’re physically attracted to, and being intimate with that person might seem like heaven on earth in theory. A meaningful and loving relationship can seem like a wonderful bit of earthly bliss in your life, but there are a few things you might want to consider before getting involved in a relationship.
You & What You Want
When you consider beginning a close interconnection with another person the first person you should actually think about is yourself. What kind of person are you? How would you describe yourself? Are you outgoing, assertive, or more reserved? Finding the type of person, you think you are is important because if you don’t take who you are into account, you might be more open to getting involved with an individual who isn’t suitable for you. You also have to consider the direction in which your life is going. What do you want out of life? What do you want to do right now in your life? Do you want to pursue higher education, travel for a few years, learn another language, start your own company? What do you want to accomplish in two, five, or ten years? It might be wise to set up a sort of tentative plan and maybe even consider how a serious relationship might affect what you want to do. Beyond contemplating who you are as well as your life’s direction, you should also think about your expectations in a relationship.
In general, everyone expects to be treated well by their significant other in a relationship. Think about what that means to you personally. Does being treated well mean both partners should be honest, respectful, and try to communicate without being hurtful when disagreements or arguments arise? Does it mean compromise, being loyal, or safety?
Intimacy
For many people, intimacy is an essential component of a strong, romantic bond. It is a very precious way of expressing one’s affection or love. It’s important to understand yourself sexually and emotionally before pursuing intimacy in a relationship. Consider what is important to you in terms of your sexual desires. Along with this, it is crucial to know about how to protect yourself from the potential risks involved in being sexually active in a relationship. It is important to get yourself tested every three months or in between every new partner.
Geography and Distance
Before you get swept up in a whirlwind romance while you’re on vacation, traveling or have the pleasure of meeting someone new from another state, country or culture, give some thought to possible issues that could arise. Are you willing to travel to spend time with this person? Are you ready to eventually move to where they are or help them move to where you are? Where do you want to be? Will you have to learn a new language or culture to get along well? These concerns don’t have to become problems if you accept them head on and try to see how things might work out.