Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Does the Honeymoon Phase Feel Like?Signs the Honeymoon Phase Is OverThe Post-Honeymoon PhaseHow to Create Lasting LoveFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Does the Honeymoon Phase Feel Like?
Signs the Honeymoon Phase Is Over
The Post-Honeymoon Phase
How to Create Lasting Love
FAQ
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The honeymoon phase marks the time in your relationship when sparks are flying and your stomach’s full ofbutterflies. You probably believe that the other person can do no wrong. You’re less apt to get into an argument or snap at each other, you might easily overlook some quirks or frustrations, and everything feels like it’s smooth sailing.
“The honeymoon phase is the very beginning of the relationship when two people are first getting to know each other and everything seems very carefree and happy,” explains Beth Gulotta, LMHC, founder ofNYC Therapeutic Wellness.
She says it’s mostly present insecurely attached relationshipswhere both partners feel confident and sure about each other’s feelings and desire to pursue the relationship. In other words, there’s less second-guessing about what the other’s thinking or feeling, and both parties are excited to get to know each other better.
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They don’t call it the honeymoon phase for nothing. Gulotta says, “This phase feels exciting and exhilarating. You talk often and feel like you want to be with this person all the time. You get excited when you see their name pop upon your phoneand find little ways to bring them up in conversation to your friends.”
You might also miss them as soon as they leave, think about them often, and feel like your time spent together is carefree and easy.
Other signs you’re in the honeymoon phase include feeling hopeful about your future together and feeling very connected in terms of physical and emotionalintimacy.
You May Miss Red Flags in the Honeymoon PhaseAs wonderful as the honeymoon phase is, be mindful that the infectious and sometimes all-consuming “good” feelings are not blinding you to potentialred flags.“When we are in this phase and enamored with someone, it can be easier tooverlook or disregard important characteristicsabout them,” notes Gulotta. “Stay clear about who the person is in front of you. Do not idealize them or overlook things because you are feeling all the feels.”
You May Miss Red Flags in the Honeymoon Phase
As wonderful as the honeymoon phase is, be mindful that the infectious and sometimes all-consuming “good” feelings are not blinding you to potentialred flags.“When we are in this phase and enamored with someone, it can be easier tooverlook or disregard important characteristicsabout them,” notes Gulotta. “Stay clear about who the person is in front of you. Do not idealize them or overlook things because you are feeling all the feels.”
As wonderful as the honeymoon phase is, be mindful that the infectious and sometimes all-consuming “good” feelings are not blinding you to potentialred flags.
“When we are in this phase and enamored with someone, it can be easier tooverlook or disregard important characteristicsabout them,” notes Gulotta. “Stay clear about who the person is in front of you. Do not idealize them or overlook things because you are feeling all the feels.”
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How Do You Know When the Honeymoon Phase Is Over?
The honeymoon phase can last anywhere from six months to several years depending on the couple. When the realities of life start to creep in, andhard conversationsstart to bubble to the surface, you’ll naturallytransition out of the honeymoon phase. This doesn’t mean the blissful feeling is completely gone, but rather that day-to-day life just starts to become the norm instead.
Over time, the intensely strong feelings andinfatuationyou have for your partner beings to naturally decrease. What you once found an adorable quirk mightdrive you batty, and you may find yourself being less intentional about spending quality time together or doing nice things for the other in the same way you might have done early on.
When the realities of life start to creep in, andhard conversationsstart to bubble to the surface, you’ll naturally transition out of the honeymoon phase.
“As the honeymoon phase dies down, you and your partner likely become more of your authentic ‘day-to-day’ selves, and we begin to recognize the flaws in one another,” saysLeanna Stockard,LMFT at LifeStance Health. “During this time, we need to assess how we are feeling in the relationship and make the decision if we can continue on in our relationship with our partner—flawsand all.”
She adds that it’s also important to not compare the other person to how you saw them during the honeymoon phase given that you likely saw a more idealistic version of them. Rather, it’s a time to be reflective and to have conversations about what your future together looks like.
If you decide to move forward in a healthy relationship, what comes next can be just as—if not more—beautiful than the honeymoon stage.
Making a True CommittmentHere’s where you commit wholly to each other and build an unwavering foundation that can withstand life’s greatest challenges.
Making a True Committment
Here’s where you commit wholly to each other and build an unwavering foundation that can withstand life’s greatest challenges.
“As you go deeper with your partner, you learn more about their ins and outs, and you can appreciate and value your partner in a way beyond the surface levels you may feel during the honeymoon phase,” Stockard says.
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6 Ways to Thrive After the Honeymoon Phase Ends
A 2022 study explored reasons why sometimes positive feelings in a relationship fade away after that initial intense honeymoon phase. It found that factors such as stress, boredom, and life’s demands start to impact the quality of your bond.As such, it’s important to work against these points of friction in order to nurture a fulling relationship.
Here are some ways you can do that:
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhile many relationships do enjoy that initial lovey-dovey honeymoon phase, not every couple may experience it. However, this isn’t necessarily a sign that something’s wrong.Stockard says that it probably just indicates that your relationship didn’t start off with strong feelings of infatuation toward the other person and that the attraction and connection built slowly as you got to know each other better.The feelings that you hold for someone early on in your relationship are valid. And if you feel love for your partner then, you can fully embrace that. However, those feelings may not last forever as you begin to settle into a routine with your partner. So, it’s still important to make the effort to really get to know your partner so that you can ensure you’re compatible and share similar life goals.The foundation of a healthy romantic relationship is trust, connection, open communication, physical intimacy, and love. If you have those things in your relationship, then that’s what matters most of all.
While many relationships do enjoy that initial lovey-dovey honeymoon phase, not every couple may experience it. However, this isn’t necessarily a sign that something’s wrong.Stockard says that it probably just indicates that your relationship didn’t start off with strong feelings of infatuation toward the other person and that the attraction and connection built slowly as you got to know each other better.
While many relationships do enjoy that initial lovey-dovey honeymoon phase, not every couple may experience it. However, this isn’t necessarily a sign that something’s wrong.
Stockard says that it probably just indicates that your relationship didn’t start off with strong feelings of infatuation toward the other person and that the attraction and connection built slowly as you got to know each other better.
The feelings that you hold for someone early on in your relationship are valid. And if you feel love for your partner then, you can fully embrace that. However, those feelings may not last forever as you begin to settle into a routine with your partner. So, it’s still important to make the effort to really get to know your partner so that you can ensure you’re compatible and share similar life goals.The foundation of a healthy romantic relationship is trust, connection, open communication, physical intimacy, and love. If you have those things in your relationship, then that’s what matters most of all.
The feelings that you hold for someone early on in your relationship are valid. And if you feel love for your partner then, you can fully embrace that. However, those feelings may not last forever as you begin to settle into a routine with your partner. So, it’s still important to make the effort to really get to know your partner so that you can ensure you’re compatible and share similar life goals.
The foundation of a healthy romantic relationship is trust, connection, open communication, physical intimacy, and love. If you have those things in your relationship, then that’s what matters most of all.
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2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.When the loss of positives feels negative: Exploring the loss of positive experiences in committed couples. (2022).Current Opinion in Psychology,43, 166–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.07.015Kardan-Souraki M, Hamzehgardeshi Z, Asadpour I, Mohammadpour RA, Khani S.A review of marital intimacy-enhancing interventions among married individuals.Glob J Health Sci. 2016;8(8):74-93. doi:10.5539/gjhs.v8n8p74
2 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.When the loss of positives feels negative: Exploring the loss of positive experiences in committed couples. (2022).Current Opinion in Psychology,43, 166–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.07.015Kardan-Souraki M, Hamzehgardeshi Z, Asadpour I, Mohammadpour RA, Khani S.A review of marital intimacy-enhancing interventions among married individuals.Glob J Health Sci. 2016;8(8):74-93. doi:10.5539/gjhs.v8n8p74
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
When the loss of positives feels negative: Exploring the loss of positive experiences in committed couples. (2022).Current Opinion in Psychology,43, 166–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.07.015Kardan-Souraki M, Hamzehgardeshi Z, Asadpour I, Mohammadpour RA, Khani S.A review of marital intimacy-enhancing interventions among married individuals.Glob J Health Sci. 2016;8(8):74-93. doi:10.5539/gjhs.v8n8p74
When the loss of positives feels negative: Exploring the loss of positive experiences in committed couples. (2022).Current Opinion in Psychology,43, 166–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.07.015
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