Honeymoon Phase 101: Early On Exhilaration With Your Boo

Oh, the honeymoon phase.

It marks new beginnings, strong feelings, and lots of exploration with your new partner. May it be emotionally, personally, or in terms of intimacy. This is a happy time, one wherein most couples would like to stay in for a long time. Because come on, who likes stress?

So, if you want to learn more about this cheerful stage, this guide is for you! We’ll explore its definition, signs, and what indicates that you’ve passed it.  Moreover, we’ll discuss tips on maximizing the honeymoon stage and strengthening your relationship after it.

What is the Honeymoon Phase?

Brides define the Honeymoon Phase as the “early part of a couple’s relationship where everything seems carefree and happy.”

Lasting from 6 months to even 2 years, this phase is filled with intimacy, laughter, and overall positivity. I mean, you’re with a new person. There’s just so much to unveil and learn about them, making each new thing so thrilling. Cupla highlights that it’s also called the infatuation stage, where all these strong emotions strike at you because it’s the first stage of falling in love.

There’s no specific or predicted end to this phase, as each relationship is different. It’s even possible that a couple doesn’t experience this phase, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. Because of that, it’s key to treasure this enjoyable time. To open your heart and take things slow and steady.

Aside from the common way this phase manifests, Cleveland Clinic shares that the honeymoon phase can be re-experienced during big life events, such as getting engaged and/or getting married. For the latter, you’d then go on a honeymoon, hence the same feelings erupting.

This phase can be both a good and bad thing. It really depends on how you call the shots with your partner and vice versa.

What Happens When It’s Over?

One thing you may observe when the honeymoon phase is over is seeing their flaws a lot more clearly. During the honeymoon phase, the happiness masked you from them. Or rather, you haven’t known them that much to pinpoint it as a flaw.

Hence, expect conflict, as we mentioned earlier. Experiencing it is inevitable, yet it paves the way for growth if you both choose to work things out.

And with those trials, it’s how you determine if your relationship is suitable for something more serious and long-term. This is a test!

Overall, it would lead to normalcy and acceptance. Accepting each other’s differences is not so bad. Plus, it’s what makes them unique and gives us a new perspective on life that we may haven’t noticed. You would still very much enjoy each other’s presence and better understand the need for personal space and privacy.

Signs You’re in the Honeymoon Phase

There are many indicators that show that you’re experiencing this phase with your new partner. Keep reading this section to find out more!

1 You are so attracted to your partner.

During the honeymoon phase, you find yourself so smitten and captivated by your partner. You enjoy their company, always wanting to learn more about them, and note down their special quirks. Such attraction may be due to the release of hormones like dopamine and oxytocin here, which encourage trust, bonding, and lots of positive emotions.

You may also feel attracted to them because you share a lot of things in common, strengthening the bond that started to spark. 

2 You have a positive outlook.

Being so infatuated during the honeymoon stage can naturally lift your spirits because it’s as if things are falling into place. Just like how you feel naturally happy and driven when you spend quality time with your best friend or family, the same can be said when you enter a new relationship. You also enjoy their presence, feeling confident in doing whatever you want even if challenges arise.

3 You spend a lot of time together.

When you have a new partner, you want to carve out time to be with them. You’d also make sure to contact them when you can during the day because they’re a priority. And on the days you do see them, it’s always enjoyable and memorable because you embark on activities that you both have a blast in.

4 There’s little to no conflict experienced between you two.

When you and your new partner share a strong connection, which is common during the honeymoon phase, it can topple over any conflict. Or rather, it can be easily resolved because the two of you understand that things are still new and can be fixed when addressed immediately. Another way to look at it is that you two may have different interests, but you don’t let them hold too much worth just yet because there may be more than what meets the eye.

5 You’re focused on their good traits.

A new relationship, a new person, all you can focus on is how great they are. Your hormones may play a significant role here, along with wanting to create a safe environment around them. To show that you appreciate them and nurture the bond that you two show.

6 You daydream about the future with them.

Oh, this trait is a common one! When you have a new boo, you can’t help but imagine all sorts of scenarios about them. Just like how you receive a new gadget and can’t wait to capture every memory you make, those feelings of excitement and optimism also exist during the honeymoon phase. For example, you’ll be thinking about your next summer vacation and how you’ll spend time with your new partner after being single last summer.

There’s so much potential in every new relationship, wherein all sorts of fun plans are thought out during the honeymoon phase.

7 It feels as if you’re in sync with one another.

Whenever you make plans or talk about anything you can think of, it’s as if you’re on the same wavelength. You’d catch yourself agreeing with them and vice versa and even share the same thoughts and intentions as them. It’s always harmonious and easy flowing. For example, you’d talk about this new movie that’s showing over the weekend, and instantly, they would ask you out. It’s all great because you brought the topic up in hopes you would invite them.

8 You have strong chemistry.

Because you both have intense attraction and emotional connection, it intensifies the chemistry between you two. Every interaction you’d have with them is always filled with sexual tension and fulfillment. This can also translate to having amazing sexcapades with one another due to such strong intimacy towards one another.

9 Being with them feels like a dream.

Everything feels perfect when you’re with them, just like a dream. Happy moments are always present as you spend time and bond with them more. This bubble you’re in that’s the honeymoon phase won’t be burst anytime soon.

10 You’re eager to protect each other.

You’d do anything for one another because you care. You’d do daily check-ins to see how they’re feeling, and perhaps be someone they can vent to when applicable. And vice versa! You’d also stand up for them when someone tries to intentionally hurt them. Because hey, it’s not okay to afflict pain on the people you care about it.

Negative Aspects of the Honeymoon Phase

Watch out for these disadvantages one can encounter during this relationship phase.

1 You’re not seeing any red flags.

Girl, you may want to remove your rose-colored glasses for this one. During the honeymoon phase, you may find it easy to dismiss any behaviors that are deemed harmful in the long-run. Like yes, you want to believe that they can still change and your love for them can conquer it.

However, this may lead to several unresolved issues and challenges that can negatively affect you and your relationship as a whole.

2 You become too engrossed with your idealization of them.

Mind you, your partner is human just like you. 

It’s a given that they have flaws, and you shouldn’t have an unattainable image of them in your head that they’re this perfect idol. It only sets you up to have unrealistic standards and expectations for them, only to get disappointed if the real them doesn’t live up to it. It’s even worse if they’re not aware of the projection you have of them, hurting your relationship.

3 You neglect your needs.

Being so into your partner during the honeymoon phase may result in forgetting your priorities, whether it’s related to self-care, your interests, or non-negotiables. It’s even possible that you put your partner’s needs much higher than yours, potentially leading to a codependent relationship.

4 Your other relationships are compromised.

In line with the previous point, you tend to choose your partner at every given chance there is over your friends or family. For example, for one moment, you’re preparing for a girl’s night, and then when your partner is merely asking if you’re free that night, you cancel your initial plans. Alongside this, you’re seen as a bad companion who’s always choosing their partner any day.

5 You don’t want to be vulnerable with them.

You don’t want to cause any rifts within the relationship, even if there are some things you’d want to fix. Honesty is also off the table, not being able to be yourself and putting up a version of yourself they’d like. Quite like people-pleasing them.

6 You only want to focus on the high.

The honeymoon phase brings in so much euphoria, which you don’t want to end when your relationship gives into normalcy and stability. And with that, it becomes boring. Hence, you put so much pressure on only having good moments, creating so many unrealistic expectations. 

Moreover, you don’t get to fully connect with them when you’re only having fun because you need those stable moments to balance your bond out.

How to Enjoy the Honeymoon Phase

Maximize this lively relationship phase with these helpful tips.

1 Express your affection.

Affection can be expressed physically, verbally, and virtually. In terms of physically, you give each other others hugs and kisses whenever you’re together. You may or may not go ham on PDA, depending on if you’re both into that. But you may prefer being more subtle with physical affection, yet it doesn’t diminish your true, strong feelings for each other.

2 Go on dates!

This tip plays a huge role during the honeymoon phase as this is the time when you get to know each other better. Which in turn can be very exciting! While you can stick to classic dates like dinner, movie, or café dates, you can be more adventurous by trying new things together or embarking on a hobby-related date. For the latter, it can be your hobby or theirs so you can further bond with each other. Bonus points if you have shared hobbies and make it a date, may it be a sport or something creative.

3 Be present.

Practice being in the moment with your partner when you’re together. It helps to avoid using your phones unless it’s an emergency. Focus on the now and how you feel, not ruminating on the past or future.

4 Be patient with one another.

Understand that neither of you is perfect and that you’ll make mistakes as you continue in your relationship. At the same time, embrace any possible challenges with compassion so that they allow you two to grow and find solutions that benefit both of you.

5 Don’t make any big decisions.

This phase is right at the start of the relationship, wherein you are still getting to know one another. For example, don’t think of moving in together instantly when you haven’t seen their apartment or hung out with them there. 

6 Just enjoy the ride.

The honeymoon phase is not permanent, which can lead to possible conflict and disappointment. Those things are inevitable in any relationship, but before they come into play, take a moment to make happy memories and appreciate them wholeheartedly during the honeymoon phase. They’ll even play a strong role in rekindling your bond when things become overwhelming.

So less worrying, more living in the now just like we stated above.

Takeaway

The honeymoon phase is an exciting stage to be in as you learn more about your partner and experience such euphoria around them. Some couples can either experience a longer or shorter period of it; there’s no exact period when it can end. The best way to go around it is to take advantage of your affection, listen to one another, and also prioritize your self-care. Plus, don’t make any drastic life choices yet that include them because that may just backfire.

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