The Shortcomings of “Situationships”
Situationships might seem appealing in movies or on TV. But, in the real world, they can be pretty problematic. The idea of having a “no strings attached” relationship with someone often causes confusion and can lead to an emotional roller coaster and even mental health issues. Needless to say, there’s nothing romantic about a situationship. While they might be fun for a while if you feel like you’re not ready for something serious or committed, it’s important to know the shortcomings of these “relationships” before you let yourself get too involved too quickly.
Let’s take a closer look at “situationships” and the problems you might start to face if you’re in one.
What Is a “Situationship?”
Again, a situationship is, essentially, a type of no-strings-attached relationship. Some people get into this kind of relationship by choice. They just want a “fling” or they want to enjoy an emotional or physical connection with someone without having to deal with the commitment of a serious relationship.
It’s a popular Hollywood trope. There have been plenty of movies about it, and it’s entertaining to watch other people on screen deal with the shortcomings of their “agreements,” but what happens in real life is often much more serious.
Some people find themselves in situationships without actively choosing it. If you think you’re in a relationship but your partner isn’t fully committed to you or you’re not sure of your relationship’s status, you could be lacking boundaries within your partnership, and that could end up leading to heartbreak.
Signs of a Situationship
Not sure whether you’re in a situationship? Some of the common signs include:
You don’t have a label on your relationship
One of you is seeing other people
You don’t make long-term plans together
Their emotions are unclear
There are some short-term benefits to situationships. Some people just aren’t ready for commitment, and this type of relationship can provide a social, emotional, and physical connection.
What Are the Drawbacks of a Situationship?
Situationships really only work for a short time, even if people enter into them by choice. They are often unstable, don’t have much communication, and can leave both people involved feeling confused.
Unfortunately, that often leads to stress, doubt, worry, and even anxiety. Situationships can drain your emotions and make you feel like you’re not good enough for a committed relationship. You might start to question your worth, and your self-esteem could be damaged.
How Does a Situationship Impact Your Mental Health?
Again, the stress caused by a situationship can lead to anxiety and a lot of doubt. Because most situationships also last structure and are so uncertain, they can also cause you to struggle with depression.
The negative feelings that sometimes come from a situationship can be even worse if you’re a sensitive person or if you already deal with self-esteem issues. You might start to think you aren’t worthy of being loved or that no one would ever want to be in a relationship with you. That leads to a vicious cycle of depression and might even cause you to act out in unhealthy ways.
What Should You Do?
Situationships work for some people — at least for a short time. But, both have to be 100% on board. A situationship that makes you doubt yourself or that exists because one person is putting in effort and one isn’t is something unhealthy and unsustainable.
Now that you know some of the common signs of a situationship, don’t hesitate to evaluate where you are. If you want a real, committed relationship, that’s exactly what you deserve. Don’t let a situationship make you feel like you can’t be loved and appreciated. If you’d like to discuss your situationship, reach out to us today.
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