Is this guy/girl the right person for me?What if a better person is out there?Will he/she end up leaving me soon? If these dreadful questions are not bothering you and you are content with the way your relationship is being shaped then it means you are definitely ready to be exclusive. You are not afraid of serious commitment and are ready to give your best to the relationship you share with your partner. Emotionally you are in the right place because of which you are able to invest in your partner and deep down in your heart you want your relationship to work out. Having said that, before you decide when to become exclusive, it is important to understand what being exclusive means.
What Is Meant By An ‘Exclusive Couple’?
Before we move on to the signs which will help you understand whether you are ready to be exclusive or not, we would like you to know what it means to be an exclusive couple and the responsibilities it entails.
A couple becomes exclusive when the partners enjoy each other’s company and have no interest whatsoever in dating someone else.
You become an exclusive couple when you both are on the same page and decide not to pursue any other person romantically. What does exclusive mean to a guy? Though men are infamously known to be reluctant to commit to a relationship, the meaning of the word remains the same. When a guy wants to commit it means he no longer wants to look for other options because he only wants to be with you. If you can tell he is completely content with you, it’s a sign he wants to date you exclusively.
Mutually you all acknowledge that you both are in an exclusive relationship, seriously commit to each other and agree to respect the boundaries set by your relationship.
Exclusive dating also might mean that you are dating exclusively but not in a relationship. Exclusive dating does not mean that you are totally into the relationship but you could be just talking and is in the process of getting committed to each other.
Being in an exclusive relationship means that couple gives long-term commitment to the relationship and decide not to explore any more people.
How Long Before A Relationship Becomes Exclusive?
There is no clear cut answer to this question because it depends on which stage of the relationship you both are in. However, it is advised that you do not rush into becoming exclusive.
If we are talking about the exact time frame, it takes between 10-12 dates to become exclusive but some couples can even take up to 24 dates. Usually after dating for 3 months couples think of making their relationships exclusive.
When you are sure of your feelings and know that your feelings will be reciprocated by your partner then only you should take the next step. Be true to yourself and have a honest discussion with your partner regarding where your relationship is headed. Usually the conversation related to this takes place after a few months or so, but it completely depends on where you both stand as a couple when to become exclusive.
20 Signs You Are Ready To Be In An Exclusive Relationship
Being exclusive can be a big deal for a lot of you because it involves a long-term dedication to your relationship. In the debate between casual dating vs exclusive dating the latter wins hands down. Causal dating, without a doubt, is interesting and fun, however, it isn’t something you can pursue for very long. Soon enough you start to think of the future and “should I be exclusive with him/her.” It gives you the privilege to think about your happily ever after and all the good that can come from it. So do not be afraid to make the leap. If you have a feeling that your relationship is headed in the right direction then you should take the plunge. Here are the 20 signs to know whether you are ready to be exclusive or not.
1. Your relationship is prosperous and healthy
This is one of the most important signs of when to be exclusive with someone is when you both are happy with your relationship. Once you know that you have developed a steady bond with your partner obviously you both can think about becoming exclusive. Trust, security, compassion, love have become the foundations of your relationship. A healthy and prosperous relationship should be made exclusive in order to ensure a great future together.
2. You give priority to your partner’s interests and needs
Every relationship requires some amount of sacrifice and compromise. When you feel that you are ready to make such compromises for the happiness of your beloved then you are surely ready to commit. When you are just casually dating, you can make plans according to your convenience, but when you are decide to put your partner’s needs first, you know now is when to become exclusive. The interests and needs of your partner become a top priority in your life and you always think about him/her first. That’s a very important aspect of an exclusive relationship. Related Reading: 13 Signs You Are The Selfish One In Your Relationship
3. Your partner has met your friends and family members
If you are looking at the exclusive dating meaning then you will see it has many perspectives. If you really love your partner then you will make all efforts to integrate your partner into your family and social circle. When you want the important people in your life to see meet the person you are with, you know you are starting to develop feelings for them. You will make him/her meet your friends and family members and will become elated when you find them getting along with each other. Plus, you will also show interest in meeting your partner’s family members and friends.
4. You celebrate relationship milestones with great fervor
You will make elaborate arrangements and plans to celebrate relationship milestones like your first date anniversary, first kiss anniversary etc. The reason behind this is that the relationship is the centre of your universe and you want to cherish every moment you have spent with your partner. Any special event for your partner becomes special to you as well just because of their happiness. Your desire to join these events and to make them even better for your partner is an clear sign you are questioning “should i be exclusive with him/her?”
5. You find comfort in confiding in your partner
Whenever anything good or bad happens in your life, the first person to know about it is undoubtedly your partner. You feel comfortable sharing your private matters with him/her and you trust them with all your deepest, darkest secrets. They do not judge you for that either, in fact, they also would want to share the most vulnerable parts of their lives with you because they feel safe with you. It’s a different kind of comfort level you enjoy in this exclusive relationship.
6. Little fights and arguments do not bother you
You reach a level of maturity where you let go of small things. Little fights and arguments that you have with your partner do not bother you and you believe that these make your relationship stronger. You will know when to become exclusive with your partner when you have reached a level of communication through which you can resolve a majority of issues by just talking it out. You actually begin to accept your partners with all his/her good qualities as well as flaws.
7. You ignore the advances made by other people
Even if someone better than your partner shows interests in you, you out rightly turn him/her down because you know your partner is the one for you. When you know you have something good with you, why would you want to change that for some random encounter. The idea of preserving your relationship with your partner takes precedence over fleeting pleasure. You no longer seem interested to play along when someone flirts with you because one person who is always on your mind is your partner.
8. You can solve problems with the help your partner
Whenever you face any tough decisions in life or are stuck in a rut then it is your partner who helps and supports you. This means that you both are extremely compatible and will be able to tackle any tough situation whatsoever. As a couple if you both are able to solve issues and you actively look to your partner for inputs in your problems then “now” might be the answer to when to be exclusive with your partner. Related Reading: Sexual Compatibility – Meaning, Importance And Signs
9. You conveniently discuss your future with your partner
You are so confident about your relationship that you actually discuss future plans with your partner which involve him/her. This is a very important aspect that shows that you are heading towards exclusivity. When you are conveniently sharing your thoughts and opinions regarding a future together then it means you are ready to be exclusive and give your relationship a genuine chance.
10. Being with your partner is not just about sex to you
if your relationship started with sexual attraction towards each other, but now the relationship is not just about sex to you, then it indicates you are falling for this person. The mere thought of spending some happy moments with your partner is enough to cause butterflies in your stomach. Having your partner around, cuddling with him/her and sharing your opinions with each other- all these things have become essential to you.
11. You respect your partner’s personal space and time
You know that your relationship will work only if you are able to give enough space and time to your partner. You have become mature enough to understand that being with your partner 24*7 is not important. So you respect his/her time and space and in return, your partner does the same for you. You want to build respect in the relationship and that is an absolute sign that you want to become exclusive.
12. You do not shy away from expressing your love
You express your feelings and say the three magical words to your partner like you really mean it. You do not feel embarrassed to express your love to him/her even if it is in front of friends and family members. You are totally comfortable with each other and when people ask you if you are in a relationship you do not have any doubts when you answer. Because love has touched you and you have seen the signs that he wants to make the relationship exclusive.
13. You become your true self around your partner
Instead of being cautious of what you say and how you behave, you actually become comfortable and embrace your true self around your partner. You never feel weird around your partner because you know that he/she loves you just the way you are. This is the difference between casual dating and exclusive dating, because while doing the latter you do not have to make any efforts to impress anymore.
14. You know your partner’s likes and dislikes
You have spent so much time together that you know what your partner likes and dislikes exactly. Whether it is some clothing or food item, you will be able to tell his/her preferences without any mistakes. Even small things like remembering that they don’t like seafood or that they love clothes from a particular brand shows that you care about their lives on a basic level. This shows that you value your partner’s preferences and he/she has importance in your life.
15. You remain focused and motivated at all times
Since you are satisfied and happy in your relationship, you exhibit high levels of motivation and focus in all the work that you do whether professional or personal. Your partner is the source of such motivation and focus and you become more capable so that your partner can see the best in you. You also know that you have your partner’s support which means you are able to tackle problems with more ease.
16. You openly communicate with your partner
You do not keep your feelings and emotions pent up. Whenever there is anything you want to share with your partner, you do so straightforwardly. You realize the importance of communication in your relationship so you keep the channel of communication open. You might be dating exclusively but still not in a relationship, in that case also communication is your strong point.
17. You indulge in PDA
You truly love your partner that is why you do not feel embarrassed to hold his/her hands in public or kiss him/her whenever you get a chance. We know it can be hard to show emotion to the outside world, especially with so many judging eyes around so when you are willing to show affection openly, it is a huge decision. It shows that you are actually ready to commit to your partner. Not being awkward to steal a kiss in public is an absolute sign that you are ready to be in an exclusive relationship.
18. You give unique names to your partner
Since your partner is an important person in your life, you tend to give him/her names which mean a lot to you personally. These names have sentimental value to you and when you call your partner with such a name it means you have made him/her a priority in your life.
19. You have carved out a place for your partner in your home
There might be a special drawer in your home where the personal stuffs of your partner are kept like the extra outfits, undergarments, toothbrush, comb etc. Nothing says commitment more than reducing personal space to make room for someone else. This means you value their comfort and happiness over your convenience. This is a clear sign that you are becoming exclusive in a relationship. When you make space for your partner it shows that you are ready to welcome him/her permanently in your life.
20. You constantly keep in touch with your partner
Either through text messages or calls, you always keep in touch with your partner and know how his/her day is going, what plans he/she has for the day and so on. Your partner is also quite comfortable with the idea of texting and calling you whenever he/she wishes, without any formality. All early awkwardness is replaced by the comfort of knowing that your partner is willing and happy to communicate with you, no matter how big or small the issue might be. If you firmly believe that your partner is worth keeping and cherishing then it is time you become exclusive with him/her. Why delay the process of nurturing your relationship and making it stronger by not taking the next appropriate step. Talk to your partner about it as soon as possible and enjoy the journey of true love together.
