Dating and being in a relationship are two different things, and understanding the difference between them is key to having a successful relationship. Dating is about getting to know someone romantically, while being in a relationship implies that couples have already committed to each other and intend to cultivate their connection. One of the main differences between dating and being in a relationship is having your own idea about what the two of you are. While relationships are based on mutual agreement and trust, dating is not the same thing.
For some, casual dating isn't mutual. The idea of exclusivity while you're with someone may differ. Some people like to date each other exclusively, while others like to date other people and don't want to commit to just one person. The main difference between dating and being in a relationship is a level of commitment, and generally, an honest and open chat with your partner. It might seem like there's a fine line between a relationship and dating, but there's much more to it than that. Exclusively going on dates means that you and your partner have talked about your future and have agreed to go out just for the time being.
It's also a time to explore what life would be like together, go on dates, try new things, and be vulnerable with your thoughts or concerns. It starts with the online texting stage, the first date and then deciding if one wants to continue with this or not. You may not know the person well enough after a month and a date or two, or you may feel like you know the person well very quickly. Going on dates exclusively means that the two of you have decided to take your relationship one step further and agree to only date each other for a while. They go out to find out if there is a possibility for them to enter into a serious and committed long-term relationship with each other.
But how to truly love someone in a relationship? Instead, a relationship is based more on sacrifice and commitment. In the first, both of you have decided not to date anyone other than each other, whereas, in the latter, you have decided to take things seriously and move forward to staying together or being alone together. Even if you're the type of person who knows whether or not they want to continue seeing someone after the first date, it can be an awkward balancing act between showing your feelings and trying to play it cool. So at what point does the difference between dating and relationship stop mattering because they become one and the same? When do you know that this is it and now there is nowhere to go but up in this relationship? Even if there are sparks on every date and you have incredible chemistry between the sheets, it's not necessarily a guarantee that you're getting past the stage of just seeing each other. The difference here is that you choose to date someone exclusively by investing more energy and time with them.
