From Affair to Relationship

An affair can be quite relaxing and fun. But it doesn't always stay a casual fling. Before you know it, you can go from affair to relationship.

Often this kind of shift shows itself step by step. These signs are especially common:

- frequent hugs
- more interest in your partner's needs
- more affection during sex

This list could certainly be extended with a few more key points, and there are no blanket judgments you can simply make. A lot depends on the individual case, but the signs above can give you some reassurance. It is usually a longer process, too, and you should by no means rush ahead. Sometimes the other person needs a little time to get used to the new situation. On top of that, during the transition there is still another relationship that has to be ended.

Going From Affair to Relationship and Being Happy Along the Way

In many cases an affair is initially about sexual desire. So there often isn't necessarily any interest in a serious relationship. You simply want to have fun and feel less of the pressure you might otherwise feel in a relationship. An affair is loose, casual and uncommitted, because you don't necessarily tie yourself down. It is entirely possible to keep several affairs going at once. The longer an affair lasts, the more likely it is that you'll go from affair to relationship. Sex can start out with no feelings at all. Over time, though, quite strong feelings can develop, and those feelings very often end up leading to a committed relationship. Some relationships can therefore be seen as a period of transition.

Going From Affair to Relationship Doesn't Happen Often

Even though the scenario described above is quite realistic, it is rather rare for things to play out this way. You should always keep that in mind when you want to make more of an affair. Affairs aren't there to lean on, to feel at home in, or to pour your heart out. Really, you just want to be satisfied, and maybe even to experience a purely mechanical stimulus that ends in a brief but intense feeling. That feeling, however, is and remains a snapshot, so it must not be misunderstood or even overvalued. An affair doesn't even have to turn into a friendship. Sometimes it simply isn't worth much more than a bit of sex. For that reason, many affairs are very fleeting. At some point the desire is simply satisfied, or the fear of getting caught becomes too great.