Dating Vs. Relationship: What’s the Difference?
By Kaci Baez
In today’s era of digital noise, situationships, throuples, responsible non-monogamy, online harassment, and side chicks, dating to end up in a real relationship can seem out of reach. While the options for online dating are now endless, dating app users have reported increased frustrations with dead-end connections and catfishing. Many potential matches struggle to even move past the “just talking” phase.
According to Pew Research, 15% of U.S. adults report being single and looking for a committed relationship or casual dates. Among them, most say they are dissatisfied with their dating lives. The level of frustration in today’s modern dating world continues to build. Many women have given up on dating entirely because a good chunk of single men have no interest in being serious. The good news is that with open communication, trust, boundaries, and realistic expectations from the start, relationships can flow more smoothly after the dating phase.
Are We Even Dating?
This dating phase is very casual. It is more than “just talking” though. It’s an intentional “getting to know you,” test out the waters type of situation. This phase can involve dating many different people at the same time. And, yes, it is possible to end up in frustrating “situationships” when one or both partners are not ready to fully commit. The transition from dating to a committed relationship often happens when both individuals agree, very clearly and without question, to move beyond "testing the waters" and become a real partnership.
Transitioning to a True Relationship
It’s that step of agreeing to be officially in a committed relationship that many people get stuck on. A dedicated official relationship focuses on building a future together and connecting with increased honesty, while dating is more about having fun. That’s why building trust, having boundaries, and communicating openly about deal-breakers early on is so critical. If you want to have kids and your date doesn’t, that is information you need to know early on, for example.
You won’t know you are fully committed and in a relationship unless you actually have that conversation. Many times, things do progress naturally and that conversation is very easy to have. When two parties agree to prioritize each other and be exclusive, that is when you know you are in a relationship. Until then, it can often be anyone’s guess. That’s why it is critical to use tools like the Harvest dating app to better clarify relationship goals and values from the start.
