Not sure if you're in a "situationship"? Look for these signs 🤔

Do you like spending time with another person, sharing reels, and swapping playlists?

Do you find yourself thinking, "This is definitely something...I just don't know what!"

And let me guess: when friends ask, "Are you seeing anyone?" you're not sure how to answer.

If this sounds familiar, your "ship" might be sailing on"situationship"waters!

Spotting situationship signs can be confusing — let's take a closer look at what's happening.

Situationships are quite popular in modern dating.

So popular that the word "situationship" has now made it into the Cambridge dictionary! It's defined as "a romantic relationship between two people who do not yet consider themselves a couple but who have more than a friendship."

It can come with many perks of a traditional relationship, like affection, romance, or physical intimacy, while still giving both people a sense of freedom and flexibility.

What sets it apart is that this relationship has no clear and formal label or definition. Because of that, the level of commitment tends to be light.

Think of it as an "in-between" stage where you're more than friends but less than partners. The freedom can be enjoyable, but sometimes, having no clear label can lead to confusion or mixed expectations.

People can find themselves deep in a situationship without even realising it. But the signs are usually right in front of you — you just need to know what to look for.

Here are a few simple situationship signs to look out for:

You're floating in the grey zone.

• You haven't had the DTR (define the relationship) "talk".

• One or both of you are avoiding labels or clear expectations from one another.

• You're unsure if the other person is seeing someone else.

Telltale situationship sign 💡

When someone asks, "So… what are you two?" you're not sure how to answer.

You don't talk about the future.

• Conversations mostly revolve around the present.

• One or both of you is vague about future plans.

• One or both of you don't take the connection beyond the "right now".

Telltale situationship sign 💡

You might plan for tonight or maybe the weekend, but not for a trip or concert next month.

Your personal lives aren't synced.

• Your wider worlds don't really overlap.

• You mostly spend time together privately.

• You're not visible in each other's social circles or on social media.

Telltale situationship sign 💡

You spend a lot of time together but haven't met each other's friends or family yet.

You keep things light.

• Conversations stay on the surface level.

• One or both of you avoid personal questions or deeper topics.

• A strong emotional connection hasn't developed, despite your chemistry.

Telltale situationship sign💡

You may talk about topics like movies and foods, but not about your dreams, hopes, or personal goals.

You're still in the same place.

• Your relationship hasn't grown or changed over time.

• Your routine together is pretty much the same as when you started hanging out.

• You don't talk of new roles, commitments, or responsibilities.

Telltale situationship sign 💡

You don't move from casual hangouts to deeper talks, planned dates, or shared activities.

Communication is inconsistent.

• You talk a lot on some days and barely at all on others.

• Most of your plans together are spontaneous.

• You meet when it's convenient rather than putting effort into planning.

Telltale situationship sign 💡

You plan to meet if a sudden gap appears in your schedules or another plan doesn't work out.

Lara and Clark met in economics class. They quickly went from being study partners to texting and hanging out often. They're having a lot of fun together!

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Which of these signs could hint that they're in a situationship? Select all that apply:

A. Lara has dodged her friend's question about her relationship status four times.

B. Clark asks Lara if she wants to go to his best friend's wedding with him.

C. They plan fun hangouts together that only involve the two of them.

D. Their conversations usually revolve around video games and TV shows.

A situationship isn't "good" or "bad" —it's a relationship that sometimes needs a little clarity.

It can feel easy, fun, and low-pressure, but the uncertainty can also be confusing or distressing for one or both people involved.

What happens next depends on what you want from it.

Once you've identified situationship signs, these simple steps can help you navigate and decide your next move:

#1. Be clear on what you want.

Take a moment to check in with yourself before talking to the other person. Ask yourself:

• Do you want something casual or more defined?

• Are you comfortable in the current dynamic?

• What is and isn't working for you?

#2. Have an honest, low-pressure conversation.

Talk openly about where you both stand — this doesn't have to be a big DTR ("define the relationship") talk. Even a simple chat can help you understand if you're on the same page. Share with each other:

• How you feel about the current setup.

• If you're both happy continuing this way.

• If and when you want to chat about it again.

#3. Set simple boundaries together.

Decide on clear boundaries mutually. It is healthy to protect each other's feelings, even in a casual setup. Discuss:

• What feels okay emotionally and physically.

• How often you want to stay in touch.

• Whether you'll be seeing other people or not.

#4. Choose what supports your well-being.

Be honest with each other and discuss if your needs are fulfilled. Remember — it's normal for feelings to shift over time. Share:

• How you're both feeling about how things are going.

• If both of you want the same things in the short and long term.

• What feels better — adjusting the relationship or moving on.

Recently, Lara and Clark had a great time together at Clark's best friend's wedding. A couple of weeks have passed and nothing has really changed in their relationship.

What would be the most helpful next step for Lara?

A. Keep things as they are and wait for Clark to bring up the relationship when he's ready.

B. Assume their relationship will become more serious over time since they attended a wedding together.

C. Have a low-pressure conversation with Clark to understand where things are going.

Now that you've learned how to spot situationship signs, you'll have a better idea of the waters you're sailing on and what you may want to do next.