A relationship is on a routine phase when you’re way past being comfortable with each other and things become “same old-same old”.
There are bouts of boredom and communication between you and your partner becomes less in terms of quality and consistency.
There’s a reason why some relationships get monotonous.
It is important to understand that relationship stems from attraction. And attraction comes from all the curiosity we have towards that person.
That “mystery or curiosity” is what draws two people together in an attempt to get to know more about each other and determine how far their connection would take them.
When you’re way past the “mystery” stage and you become way too familiar with your partner, that’s when things become a routine in a relationship.
How to Determine If a Relationship Is On a Routine Phase
Once the mystery is all gone and the cards have all been turned, that’s when couples enter a comfort level which is quickly followed by the routine phase.
In this phase, it may seem like there’s nothing more to look forward to and to learn about your partner. Everything has gone monotonous and part of a routine.
Things have also become unexciting and predictable.
For most couples, once the excitement dies down, everything else becomes part of their routine. They become too complacent with each other and being physically present becomes enough.
The relationship becomes some sort of a companionship or security blanket – having someone around and having a person right beside you.
As a result, communication becomes ineffective. Both parties may lack the eagerness and energy to share the highlights of their day.
They see things as “same old-same old” with nothing new to share or nothing worth sharing. Having fun conversations become a struggle.
The Upside and Downside of Entering the Routine Phase of Relationship
To some couples who manage to maintain a connection, this is a good thing because developing a routine with your partner accounts to stability and security in the relationship.
Even though things are no longer as exciting as before, it is during the routine phase that you can actually start to visualize your future together.
In this phase, you get a taste of the reality and what lies ahead in your relationship.
You suddenly develop a sense of certainty and confidence whenever you manage to work things out regardless of how predictable things are.
However, this is not always the case. “Same old-same old” situation does not always work for everyone. For some couples, the routine phase marks the end of the fun.
After knowing their partner completely and developing a routine with them, they lose interest and start to realize that there are actually many other fishes in the sea. And that they deserve more than what they’ve already got.
Breakups could potentially challenge the situation.
It’s a sad thing, yes, but part of being “secure” in a relationship is realizing if you’re with the right person or not; and if your heart is in the right place.