An almost relationship can sometimes feel like the worst thing in the world. There are very few experiences in the world that are more disheartening than being so close to getting something that you want, but not being able to go all the way. It’s like when you’re at a restaurant, and you’re just waiting for your food to come. You wait for so long and then suddenly; you see the waiter approaching your table with a tray of delicious food. But then, at the last second, he changes direction and serves the food at another table.
It’s disappointing. You get close. You are almost there. But then, it’s not entirely yours. Almost relationships are the worst. However, being the healthy human being that you are, you try to extract lessons from any situation that you are in. As a result, you come out stronger and smarter than ever before. Sure, being in an almost relationship sucks. But you only let it defeat you if you don’t allow yourself to learn from it.
Here are a few things that you can learn from being in an almost relationship:
1. A person who pursues you doesn’t mean that they’ll stay with you.
You have to stop assuming that a person who pursues you is someone who is going to want to be with you forever. That’s a leap of faith that you’re making. And even though leaps of faith are necessary for love, you don’t want to be too reckless about it. After all, you never want to be getting your hopes up over nothing.
2. Don’t be afraid of asking questions early.
You shouldn’t be afraid of asking questions early in a relationship. A lot of the drama and toxicity that comes in an almost relationship can be avoided by setting things straight out early on. If you can be on the same page soon, then you can manage your expectations better.
3. Timing is essential in any relationship.
Timing is always going to be important in any relationship. You may meet someone who is going to be entirely your type. The two of you might be perfectly compatible. However, none of that is going to matter if the timing is just off. You might have an almost relationship, but you’re never going to go all the way.
4. You need to demand what you want in a relationship.
It’s essential that you can demand what you think you are deserving of in any relationship. If you start to feel that your partner isn’t delivering, then you need to be honest and upfront about it. You shouldn’t be settling for anything that you feel like is beneath you.
5. A person who genuinely likes you is going to let you know about it.
Indeed, you would never have to guess second someone who is sincerely and genuinely in love with you. On the flip side, it’s only those whose feelings about you are shaky, wherein you should start to feel worried. Don’t be obsessing over someone who you might feel doubtful about. You have to look out for your own best interests. That means only attaching yourself to someone as close to being a sure thing as possible.
6. Patience isn’t always going to pay off.
A lot of people are going to tell you that patience is a virtue. And for the most part, that might be true. However, it isn’t always going to be the case, especially when it comes to love. At the end of the day, if you’re not meant to be, it just isn’t going to happen. It doesn’t matter how long you wait. Sometimes, it only doesn’t pay off.
7. Closure might be out of the question.
Just because you manage to break away from an almost relationship doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re going to get closure out of it. A lot of the time, you’re going to have to be content with the fact that you’re not going to get closure on this matter at all. And that’s okay. The closure isn’t a prerequisite to moving on.
8. Never let your desperation blind you.
Never allow yourself to become so desperate for love to the point that you start settling for being with someone who doesn’t deserve it. You always have to maintain a sense of dignity and self-worth. This means that you have to fight to be treated and loved a certain way.
9. You can’t force love, no matter how much you want it.
In love, you’re never going to be able to make things work by sheer will alone. Of course, it helps to be determined and strong. However, if the two of you don’t have what it takes to make things work, then it isn’t going to work.
