No one expects to lock things down in a serious relationship the minute you start dating someone, but it seems pretty reasonable to expect to make some kind of progress the longer you’re dating. So how do you know if you’re in a dead-end situation with pretty much zero prospects for the future? The signs of an almost relationship are staring you in the face – you just need to pay attention.
- He refuses to be exclusive or call you his girlfriend. This is one of the most obvious signs you’re in an almost relationship in existence. It’s not like you’re asking him to get down on one knee and propose to you. You’re probably not even asking him to be Facebook official. You just want to know that you’re headed towards a real relationship with actual prospects. If he’s not willing to give you that and says he “likes hanging out” or just wants to “see where things go” months down the line, you need to drop this clown.
- He only wants to hang out when sex is on the table. It’s very convenient to have someone around to have sex with whenever the mood strikes. However, real, healthy relationships are about so much more than that. They’re about companionship, love, comfort, and togetherness. An almost relationship is one in which what happens in the bedroom takes top priority and everything else falls by the wayside or simply doesn’t exist.
- You’ve heard through the grapevine that he’s been talking to other women. Another one of those signs of an almost relationship and a total a-hole: he says he really likes you and loves dating you, only you’ve heard from friends or witnessed yourself that he’s still talking to and even pursuing other women. Sure, you’re not exclusive, so he’s not really doing anything wrong, right? This kind of logic is absolutely ridiculous and it’s just another way of him screwing you over.
- He keeps you separate from everyone and everything else in his life. At a certain point, it should be no big deal to run into his friends or for you to be his plus-one to a family wedding or something. After all, you’re dating and things are going well, so this is a natural progression. However, in an almost relationship, you never get to meet his family or friends. You’re never taken to parties or events with him. You exist in a vacuum and that’s just the way he likes it.
- He doesn’t ever consider your feelings. At the end of the day, a supportive partner will always want to make sure you’re okay, that you feel loved and cared for. However, in an almost relationship, your feelings are never enough of a priority to even be considered because it’s all about him. You know what you need to do: walk away right now.
