New relationships are always exciting times, but they do have to be navigated carefully. The joys of a budding romance can often lead you to thinking what could be and getting ahead of yourself, rushing into things and then it all comes crashing down before it’s even really started.
That can be incredibly destructive, particularly for your mental health and can bring all kinds of issues. Issues that could have been avoided by taking things slow.
There are many reasons why it can be useful to take things slow in a relationship, particularly if it is the first relationship since something major has happened in your life, for example a divorce or having gone through addiction treatment. In instances like this, people have to tread carefully, as further heartache or stress can really knock people back. In fact, according to UKAT.co.uk and their experts, a breakdown in relationships is one of the most common reasons for relapse.
Therefore, “taking it slow” can be absolutely crucial. So, how do you do it?
Be upfront about it
If the person you have met is special, then they are going to be supportive of your decision to want to go slow, and if they aren’t, then perhaps they aren’t what you’re looking for anyway.
Your partner needs to be on the same page as you for your relationship to blossom at the right pace and an honest discussion will go a long way to ensuring that happens.
Keep your emotions in check
Of course, you’re likely going to think this person is wonderful. And chances are, they probably are. But this can often lead to falling hard for them very quickly without really having too much thought about it.
By keeping your emotions in check, you’ll be able to keep that little bit more distance and get to know a person over a longer period of time, and essentially avoid getting hurt by getting too involved too quickly. While love is unfathomable, try and think practically about the situation.
Schedule time to see each other
If you both consciously want to take it slow, then schedule in the time you see each other. Seeing each other every day can escalate things quite quickly, so if you are wanting to take things slow, schedule in time, so perhaps meet once per week and give each other space the rest of the time. Then as you see each other more, you may feel the time is right to increase that time to allow it to blossom into a fully committed relationship. But only when the time is right.