Situationships are a phenomenon that have become increasingly prevalent in today’s world of dating. They are essentially relationships without commitment or labels, often perceived as something that is “undefined.” There are many different types of situationships, ranging from purely physical connections to arrangements out of convenience.
And let’s not forget the infamous nearly-a-relationship-but-not-quite situationship. This can be a stressful and confusing situation for all parties involved.
Understanding the different types of situationships is key to navigating these ambiguous waters. So let’s get into it.
13 most common types of situationships
Situationships come in all shapes and sizes, and there are 13 main types that people find themselves in.
1. The Convenience Situationship.
The Convenience Situationship is often based on convenience or lack of time rather than any real emotion or connection. This is the kind of situationship where both people will both see each other if they happen to be free on a given evening. But they’re both busy people, and they have full lives. In a Convenience Situationship, people don’t rearrange plans to make time for each other.
2. The Passionate Situationship.
The Passionate Situationship is when two people have an intense connection but, for whatever reason, aren’t willing to move forward into more serious territory. This could be because one person isn’t ready for a commitment or because both parties are simply too busy with their own lives at that given moment. It could also be because the passion is largely physical or that they know their lifestyles aren’t compatible. In this type of situationship, you’re never short of chemistry.
3. The Friends-With-Benefits Situationship.
The Friends-With-Benefits Situationship is when two people have each other as a shoulder to lean on and someone who they trust to be there for them. It’s a unique crossover between friendship and something more sexual. This type of situationship involves regular communication. Both parties enjoy spending time together and often do things together outside of the bedroom, such as going out for dinner.
4. The One-Sided Situationship.
The One-Sided Situationship occurs when only one person wants to take things further while their partner doesn’t feel the same way. One person is often clinging to hope that things will eventually change, while the other pulls away from the relationship. This type of situationship can be difficult to navigate as it can leave you feeling hurt and confused. You might not always tell the other person that you want to take things further out of fear of rejection or ruining what you have together.
5. The Purely Physical Situationship.
The Purely Physical Situationship is one where two people are solely focused on their physical connection, and there’s nothing else in the equation. It’s a no-strings-attached kind of situationship that allows both people to have their own lives outside of this arrangement. The Purely Physical Situationship is often a short-term arrangement, and it’s usually based on the location of both parties. But it’s still more than a one-off hook-up because it’s maintained for a certain period of time.
6. The Almost-Relationship Situationship.
The Almost-Relationship Situationship is one where two people have reached a point that is close to a committed relationship. However, they’re still not quite there yet, and they haven’t agreed to make it official. This could be because the timing isn’t quite right yet or because both parties need to work through some past baggage before they can move into something more serious. But these situationships often turn into real relationships eventually.
7. The Drunk-Dial Situationship.
The Drunk-Dial Situationship is one that often happens after a night out with friends. This type of situationship involves two people who don’t normally spend time together, but they do make the occasional late-night phone call or text to catch up. It’s usually purely physical and not based on any real emotion or connection. But it’s an arrangement that works for both of them because it’s simple and easy, and there are no strings attached.
8. The Office Situationship.
The Office Situationship is one that often occurs between two people who work in the same organization. This type of situationship usually occurs because of professional proximity and because it’s convenient to meet up. This type of situationship is often kept on the down-low because it could put careers at risk if it ever got out. Depending on your working relationship with each other, the Office Situationship can be complicated, particularly if things end badly.
9. The Comfortable Situationship.
The Comfortable Situationship is one where two people already know each other’s wants and needs. There is a certain level of familiarity in comfortable situationships. They’re the kind of arrangements where you’re both happy chilling in your pajamas watching Netflix. You don’t expect anything more than that, and it works out well for both parties. In a Comfortable Situationship, there’s no overthinking what you do and say. It’s all just easy, relaxed, and…comfortable.
10. The In-Denial Situationship.
The In-Denial Situationship occurs when two people like each other but are afraid to admit it. They may refuse to acknowledge the feelings out of fear of rejection or commitment. This type of situationship can lead to confusion and frustration, as neither one has the courage to take the first step. Despite their reluctance, both parties are clearly drawn to each other, and usually, their feelings eventually become too strong to ignore. However, until they confront these emotions and communicate openly with one another, the relationship will remain stagnant and unclear.
11. The Commitment-Phobic Situationship.
The Commitment-Phobic Situationship is one where two people avoid making any kind of commitment to each other. In this type of situationship, the unwillingness to commit stems from a fear of getting hurt. This also means that they may be less likely to communicate their feelings openly and honestly for fear of vulnerability. Depending on the extent of the commitment phobia, it may or may not be possible to progress the situationship.
12. The Rebound Situationship.
The Rebound Situationship is one that usually occurs after the end of a long-term relationship. People in this type of situationship are often looking for something to fill a void that’s been left in their life. It can be dangerous because the recent breakup can cloud their feelings. In addition, your actions can end up coming from a place of desperation and lack, which can be damaging to both parties in the long run.
13. The Long-Distance Situationship.
The Long-Distance Situationship is common these days, thanks to travel becoming more affordable and technology making it easier to keep in touch. In this type of situationship, two people may be thousands of miles apart, but one person visits the other person’s town or city on a semi-regular basis. More often than not, this type of situationship fizzles out when the person stops visiting for whatever reason. The Long-Distance Situationship can be fun while it lasts, but there is a relatively low chance that it will turn into something more serious.
So these are the 13 different types of situationships that people encounter. How many of them have you experienced?
It’s important to recognize that a situationship can sometimes be a positive thing, and it can also be a great learning experience. But if you don’t feel comfortable, or if it’s causing you to feel stressed and anxious, it’s important to let the other person know.
Types of Situationships FAQs
Let’s take a look at some common FAQs about types of situationships.
Can the type of situationship change over time?
Yes, the type of situationship can change over time, and it’s common for this to happen. As people learn more about each other, their feelings can grow and evolve, leading to different types of relationships.
For instance, a Friends-With-Benefits Situationship may become an Almost-Relationship Situationship over time. Or a Long-Distance Situationship may evolve into a Comfortable Situationship if one of you moves closer to the other. to the other.
Whatever the case may be, it is important to talk to each other openly on a regular basis, so you both understand where each other stands regarding the situation. That way, all parties can make an informed decision about how they want to proceed.
Can you fall in love in a situationship?
Yes, it is possible to fall in love in a situationship. Just because a relationship is not labeled as a committed relationship does not mean that the people involved cannot form strong emotional connections with one another.
For some, these connections can be just as deep and meaningful as those formed between couples who are formally defined. Situationships can allow two people to get to know each other without expectations, which can be a great thing. In some situations, this can eventually lead to feelings of love, but it’s definitely not guaranteed.
Certain types of situationships are more likely to lead to love than others. For example, The Friends-With-Benefits Situationship and The Almost-Relationship Situationship have a higher chance of leading to something more serious than The One-Sided Situationship or The Purely Physical Situationship.
How does a situationship end?
A situationship can end in a variety of ways, depending on the people involved. In some cases, they simply just fizzle out. This can happen when one or both people decide to prioritize other things in their lives. They might suddenly get hit with a huge project at work or go away for the summer. Whatever it is, if they decide that the relationship is no longer a priority, you can end up drifting apart.
Alternatively, if one person begins to develop deeper feelings and wants a more committed relationship, it’s possible for the other person to feel the same way — or not. When this happens, both parties will need to sit down and have a conversation about it. This will help them to make an informed decision as to how they want to proceed with the relationship. In general, this involves either progressing the situationship to a committed relationship or ending it entirely. We have a blog post about situationships, which includes a guide on how to have the situationship-to-relationship conversation.
Why is it hard to let go of a situationship?
It can be hard to let go of a situationship because of the level of familiarity and comfort that has been built up between two people. A situationship gives individuals a sense of companionship, even if it is not an official romantic relationship.
In some cases, the emotional connection shared by the two individuals is often strong, and sometimes, there are feelings of love that develop over time. These feelings can make it difficult for one or both people to accept that their relationship must come to an end.
Situationship breakups can hurt more than relationship breakups. It all depends on the level of connection shared between two people. An added factor is that people often end up mourning the loss of what could have been. When healthy relationship breakups occur, you can take some satisfaction in knowing that you tried, but it didn’t work out. But with situationship breakups, there is no such closure — it can feel like a missed opportunity.
Is a situationship a talking stage?
While they both don’t involve labels, a situationship is not the same as a talking stage. However, there can be an overlap between the two. In general, the talking stage comes before a situationship. This is a period where two people get to know one another and decide if they want to become more involved.
A situationship tends to occur when two people are already involved and are seeing how things go without making it official. The key difference is that a situationship is more likely to involve an intimate connection of some kind, whereas the talking stage is just about getting to know one another.
Final thoughts on types of situationships
It is clear that there are many types of situationships. Each one presents its own unique benefits and challenges. It’s important to pay attention to feelings, communication, and commitment levels in order to ensure the best outcome for everyone involved.
No matter the situation, taking time to understand each other’s needs and expectations will make all the difference. Ultimately, being honest and open with your partner will lead to healthier relationships – both emotionally and sexually.
