The Pros and Cons of an 'Explorationship' in Dating
Briefly

The Pros and Cons of an 'Explorationship' in Dating
"An explorationship is when you and someone else are exploring the possibility of a committed relationship. You've gone a little-or maybe a lot-beyond the just-going-out-on-dates-with-each-other phase. There may already be kissing and holding hands. There may already be couple-ish things that you do together. There may even be a little bedroom rodeo stuff or a lot of it. But you still aren't quite ready to call each other a significant other yet-even though the two of you are giving such a possibility significant consideration."
"An explorationship is when you and someone else are exploring the possibility of a committed relationship. It can extend the non-committal dating phase and, thus, reduce the pressure to rush into things. It can lead to misunderstanding and resentment, especially if it ends up being a "situationship" in disguise. For it to work, the two of you have to be on the same page, openly communicate, and truly be cool with it."
An explorationship is a dating phase in which two people actively explore whether to form a committed relationship, moving beyond casual dates but stopping short of official partnership. Physical intimacy and couple-like behaviors may already exist while the pair considers long-term potential. Naming the phase can reduce pressure by extending the non-committal period while signaling an intended endgame distinct from fleeting nanoships and ill-defined situationships. Risks include misunderstandings and growing resentment if expectations diverge or if the arrangement functions as a situationship in disguise. Success depends on both partners aligning expectations, communicating openly, and genuinely accepting the exploratory status.
Read at Psychology Today
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