GRIPE OF THE DAY
Did you know…
The order of events in a romantic relationship can affect how it turns out.
Many people don't know that there's a simple guide to help you through the ups and downs of dating.
If you want to find out what this guide looks like, keep reading.
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE
First, knowing the right steps gives you a clear direction, making you feel more confident about what comes next.
A solid plan also helps your relationship grow stronger, allowing you and your romantic partner to understand each other better.
Plus, being on the same page reduces fights and misunderstandings.
When you and your partner agree on the path ahead, you both experience a sense of calm, contentment and happiness.
However…
If you get it wrong, things CAN AND WILL go south quickly.
Without knowing the right order, you and your partner will have mismatched expectations, leading to consistent disappointment with each other.
Skipping steps or rushing will stunt your relationship’s growth, making it hard for you and your lover to connect deeply.
Lastly, not having a clear direction will make effective communication tough. This will in turn lead to a lot of unresolved issues which will eventually lead to a breakup.
STICKY ISSUES
Imagine this…
You just got into a new romantic relationship and you’re excited.
Things are moving fast.
You spend almost every day with your new partner, sharing secrets, and making plans.
The chemistry is undeniable.
It feels perfect like you’ve finally found “the one.” But as the weeks go by, you notice little things.
Arguments start cropping up over things you thought wouldn’t matter, expectations seem out of sync, and what was once a seamless connection now feels like two people trying to dance to different beats.
What seemed like a dream romance now feels uncertain, and the fear that it could all fall apart begins to creep in.
You’re left wondering, How did we get here?
THE BREAKDOWN
Here’s the truth: Too many people get stuck in the endless dating loop—date someone for ages, break up, rinse, repeat.
That’s not how it’s supposed to work. There’s a natural order to how a relationship should unfold, one that can guide you through the ups and downs of dating and help build a solid foundation for the future.
Here is a breakdown of the key phases of a relationship, so you can navigate yours with confidence and clarity, ensuring that your love story lasts;
Dating: This is the initial selection process. This is the phase when you choose the right person for you. This phase should involve mutual outings, dinners and a lot of observations, NOT SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND MONEY COMMITMENTS. These two things will influence logical thinking and skew your vetting process. Here is also a good phase to test for chemistry.
Committed Courtship: This is the “getting to know you phase”. Here you test and scrutinize your compatibility with each other. i.e. shared values, mindsets, life perspectives etc.
Engagement: This is the phase where you both prepare to get married. Here you check each other’s “relationship resume”. A relationship resume is just a fancy word for testing the presence of hard and soft skills needed in the journey you’re both about to embark on.
P.S.; If you don’t know what soft and hard skills are, check last week’s newsletter issue.
Marriage: This is the final phase of all romantic relationships and the beginning of the rest of your lives together as one A.K.A. Husband and Wife. Each phase comes with its type and level of responsibilities, expectations and commitment. This is why knowing what phase you are in and the next phase on your relationship journey is vital.
YOUR PLAYBOOK
Get to Know Each Other: Plan fun outings and dinners. Skip the sex and financial talk for now. Focus on chemistry and compatibility.
Deep Dive into Values: Have honest conversations about your goals and dreams. Make sure your values and life perspectives align.
Prep for the Long Haul: Create a “relationship resume” to assess your strengths and areas of weakness. Discuss key topics like finances and family planning. Consider premarital counselling if needed.
If you're feeling unsure about how to start or need help effectively implementing what the playbook covers, you're going to love what comes next.
JUST FOR YOU
Check Out My Guides: Dive into my easy-to-use guides to tackle specific issues in your romantic relationship here
Personal Coaching Session: Book a 1-on-1 online session with me. We'll tackle your challenges, reduce stress, and create a clear plan together here
Who do you know will benefit greatly by reading this newsletter issue? Be an agent of positive change by sharing this issue with them by using any of the social buttons above.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
If someone shared this with you, sign up for the spam-free weekly newsletter here
You can support my vision to create and make healthy romantic relationships the norm in society here
Share your unfiltered feedback on this newsletter here
If you found this newsletter valuable, please leave a testimonial here
You can read my medium stories here
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Here are some past newsletter issues that you might find helpful:
Choosing Wisely: The Top 5 Qualities To Look For in a Romantic Partner
Work-Life-Love Balance: Relationship advice for busy couples
To Like Or Not To Like?: Navigating the like button on Instagram for committed couples.
END CREDITS
Relationship Psychologist Sadia Khan shares the importance of picking a good partner in today’s romantic climate
Steve Harvey shares the dangers of being in a toxic relationship
World-renowned relationship coach Matthew Hussey shares the worst and best romantic relationship advice he’s ever heard and received
Thanks for hanging out with me in your inbox this week!
Remember to practice the tips in your playbook or reach out to me for help if you need it.
Stay awesome, and see you next Sunday!