Stages of Relationship – What Stage You Are At?

April 27, 2011 | Leave a Comment

All couples undergo different stages at various speeds and will move back and forth from one stage to another, but each party will mainly be or has to be in the same stage for a relationship to work. Here are the stages of relationships.

Romance Stage. Just about all relationships start with this particular stage. The need fulfilled here is love and belonging. This level is characterized by its dream like characteristics, fantasies, desires the future, all the opportunities and the asking of “what if”. At this stage, things are great, lovely, and exhilarating.

Power Challenge Stage. The personal need fulfilled this stage is control over the other and freedom. There’s a realization now that you are different from one another but the idea stays that differences could be unhealthy.

Balance Stage. Freedom and choice are the needs fulfilled in this stage. You both are now conscious of one anothers world rather than your own and the difference seems to be alright. It’s then clear you will not try to reshape your other half. Boundaries then are established.

Commitment Stage. The stage where there is indeed a willingness to get married. Though some are already married in the romance stage, it’s unfortunate for when they get to the power challenge stage, they ponder what hit them. In this stage both of you are mindful, making clear decisions for both of you, based on personal differences and the things you share.

Co-creation stage. You are a couple who have chose to be a team moving out into the world in this particular stage. This world can include building a family of your own, kids, or even embarking on a joint business venture.

These stages are certainly not one straight line process, but a cycle. It is a circle spinning upwards so in the event that you hit a particular stage in the power challenge it will become much more easier. Now at this point in your relationship, can you tell what stage you are at?

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Posted by Candice | Filed Under Relationship