Dating and Relationship Advice

How do you know someone you met online is truly into you? What if it’s nothing but a textationship? Sometimes we put too many expectations on online dating that we’ll do anything to make it work.

But before you invest more effort into it, let’s get to know what is this texting relationship all about and how to make sure you don’t just waste your time.

Definition of Textationship

Just like a “situationship”, there’s also this thing called “textationship” in dating.

A textationship is a relationship that is conducted entirely through text messages - nothing else. It is a type of virtual relationship that may involve exchanging flirty or intimate messages with someone, without ever meeting them in person. Textationships can be difficult to define, as they can range from casual and playful to more serious and emotionally involved. They have become more common in the age of online dating and social media, and while they can provide a sense of connection and intimacy, they can also be fraught with uncertainty and miscommunication.

To navigate a textationship successfully, it's important to establish clear boundaries, communicate openly and honestly, and be mindful of the potential pitfalls of virtual relationships.

While there’s no doubt that the connection feels real, you can’t build a true relationship if it’s all based on virtual communication. This happens a lot in a dating app where singles think it’s okay to stay in a textationship.

It might sound fun for a few weeks with the non-physical relationship but you’ll face some real problems if your goal is to settle down and be in a serious relationship.

Characteristics of Textationship

There are many characters in this only texting relationship. And the earlier you catch the sign, the better decision you make.

  • The whole relationship can feel shallow at times because there’s only so much you can do over the text.
  • You don’t feel like you can trust them fully yet. Let me remind you that trust is the main foundation of a relationship. Sadly, this textual relationship won’t let you work on that part.
  • There’s limited intimacy you have— even if you’ve been sexting with this person a lot. You’ll reach a point where it’s not enough.
  • Communication isn’t always smooth. There are many understandings from both ends. It’s also harder to build a strong connection in a virtual relationship. Sometimes it can lead to dry texting in a relationship.
  • Virtual communication can only feel fun for so long until it drains you mentally. Because in a textationship, the activity happens almost 24/7. And after a while, it’ll be hard to have deep conversations with them.

How to Spot a Textationship

The easiest way to spot a textationship is by asking the other person what they actually want in the future. Do they want to meet you in real life? Or do they want to keep it as a textual relationship forever?

I hope the answer isn’t the latter because it’ll then fall into one of the 3 kinds of textationships  — the are-we-ever-going-to-meet-up relationships.

I know it’s hard to find someone you can genuinely connect with in this modern dating. I’ve had many friends who’ve been in a textationship. It’s a complicated process to end a textationship especially when you’ve been in it for months. Sometimes, people decide to treat it as a long-distance situationship because they don’t think they’ll find another love. But it’s far from the truth.

Fortunately, on the Iris Dating app, you don’t have to waste time investing in the wrong people. Iris makes sure to help you find someone who’s as serious as you do in looking for a true partner.

You don’t have to spend months swiping and trying to make textationship work. Iris’s priority isn’t just to keep you inside the app but also how to build a long-lasting relationship outside of the app.

So, if you’ve been in a textationship, it’s time to take a step back and ask yourself, “is this worth my time?” Because yes, you can always find someone new who can love you in person - not just over the phone.

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