So much of our single, pre-relationship time is spent thinking about how a relationship will happen, or with who, or why the world can be so cruel. And then once we meet someone that we actually want to spend time with, all these other unexpected things pop up. Here are some surprising things that happen when you finally reach coupledom.
- Other guys still hit on you. What the what? You always sort of imagined that walking hand in hand with stars in your eyes would send a clear message to onlookers that you’re smitten and taken, but strangely a lot of people aren’t deterred by that.
- Things take on different meanings pretty quickly. You thought you cherished your trashy TV time but somehow this person has unknowingly inspired you to pick up that novel you’ve been neglecting. And it actually feels good.
- Other couples want to hang out. Okay, wait a minute – you’ve known Kendra from the gym for like a year already and now that you updated your Facebook status to “In a relationship”, she wants you guys to come over for dinner. As if you weren’t interesting enough on your own…
- You’re uncomfortable. It’s not that you really thought that the perfect relationship would always feel perfect, but, okay, well, yeah, you sort of thought that. Surprise! Great relationships can be incredibly challenging because they push all our buttons and require that we grow pretty quickly in ways we didn’t expect. Ride the wave.
- People ask you weird personal information. Did that girl at the pool really just ask you guys how often you have sex? Yeah, she seemed a little drunk, but surely that’s considered personal as far as relationship details go? No?
- Introducing him gets so much easier. What on earth are you supposed to call someone when you’re newly dating anyway? Your friend? This person you’ve been seeing? Introductions are just ripe for awkwardness when you accidentally start with “meet my…” and you’re not sure if you can end it properly.
- Your energy levels change. You’re sort of exhausted from spending so much of your time with this new person (and staying up late at night wink wink), but at the same time you’re suddenly taskmaster of the world whittling down your to-do list. What’s happening…
- People react differently to your social media. All those high school friends who have been silent lurkers on your Instagram page really came out of the woodworks when you started posting photos with your boo. Even casual ones, as if nothing else mattered before now. This phenomenon is an unsolved mystery, don’t read into it too much.
- You’re okay with being that PDA couple. You were the biggest hater of mushy couples being adorable in public and now suddenly you’re one of them. In fact, you want people to stare and feel a little jealous of this boyfriend you’ve got smooching on your neck.
- Your habits change. That’s weird, a couple months ago doing the dishes was like your least favorite thing about being an adult, but this week you did it without thinking because it’s just the right thing to do. Huh.
- You get new friends. When you’re in a real relationship suddenly you’re accepted into his friend group as well, which basically doubles the load. Who knew there were so many cool people in this town.
- You’re a girlfriend. Whoa. It’s been a long time coming and it might take a minute to adjust to that word, but you love it.
