If you’re looking for new relationship advice, you’ve come to the right place. Avoid these common mistakes and look forward to a happy love!
There’s nothing more exciting than a new relationship. But, rushing or making a wrong move could endanger seeing where the relationship goes. In that case, you need to learn some new relationship advice to stop you from making the wrong move.
To give a new relationship the best chance possible, you have to take it slow and play by the rules. Then, you’re giving it a chance to blossom over time into a perfect union.
Most young lovers rush into a new romance and want to know everything it has to offer within the first few days.
But entering a new relationship isn’t like tearing the wrapper off a present. You have to take your time to open the layers. [Read: 15 things to do on a first date to make your date fall for you]
New relationships are about exploration
Starting a new relationship is exciting! You really don’t know this person, so you spend your time trying to figure out who they are and what their quirks are. What’s not to love about that? You’re basically exploring uncharted territory.
But what many people don’t realize is how important the beginning of a new relationship is. Yes, you’re exploring, but this is also the time when you’re setting up your boundaries and standards for the relationship. You could say it’s the most important part of a relationship.
That’s why you need some good quality new relationship advice to steer you in the right direction. [Read: How to set boundaries in a relationship – 15 rules for healthy love]
From a new relationship to a good relationship
In a seasoned relationship, keeping the excitement alive may seem like the biggest bummer. But in a new relationship, it’s learning to hold back the excitement that ends up distancing new lovers.
If you’ve just met a perfect partner and don’t want to ruin a perfect start, here is all the new relationship advice you need to take it to the next level. [Read: Healthy relationship – 27 signs, qualities, and what it looks like in real life]
1. Meet often, but not too often
When you’ve just met, you want to spend every waking minute with your sweetheart. It’s understandable, you’re obviously excited. But could you be pushing it too far?
Remember that new TV show you like, that has 7 seasons and hundreds of episodes? You were probably really excited at the beginning, but as the show took more time out of your daily routine, you started getting annoyed by it. It’s the same story with love.
Go out on dates once or twice a week and it’ll keep the love and excitement on a high for a long time. But if you’re both madly in love and can’t keep your hands off each other, then you’re excused to meet each other more often, but with caution. [Read: Timing it right – how often should you meet your boyfriend or girlfriend every week?]
2. Don’t get clingy
As far as new relationship advice goes, this is an important one. Just because you’re dating doesn’t mean you own each other. Shocking, yes, but it’s true.
If you want to know how to have a good relationship from the beginning, learn to give each other space. Especially in a new relationship, you don’t really need to know every little piece of information about each other.
Right now, you’re only a small part of each other’s lives, so don’t give yourself more importance than you deserve. [Read: How to give space in a relationship and grow closer instead of drifting apart]
3. Don’t be lavish with your gifts
Your new lover may be running circles in your mind all day, but that doesn’t mean you should go overboard and buy something for them every time you see something nice while shopping.
Save the spending sprees for later when the relationship has grown over a solid foundation. If you do want to express your love with gifts, then pick something small, personal, and inexpensive at first. [Read: 24 sneaky signs you’re dating a genuine 24-karat gold digger]
4. Don’t push for sex too quickly
In every new relationship, the horny-o-meter pointer may go into overdrive, just like your love-o-meter. But that doesn’t mean you should try and coerce your partner into having sex with you on the first or second date.
Take it slow, and if both of you do end up having sex soon, so be it. But don’t try booking a hotel room or asking your new lover to slide over to the back seat for some heavy petting unless it happens without any preplanning. It could make your partner think you’re just in it for the sex and lead to a loss of trust. [Read: Sex in a new relationship and how to make the first time less awkward]
5. Don’t get possessive
Possessiveness is never a good trait in a relationship. Possessiveness is a sign of insecurity and jealousy, and these are usually big red flags in any relationship, new or old.
Remember that you’re still in a new relationship and can’t order or even request your mate to avoid people or avoid going out by themselves.
Even if you do feel jealous about your lover’s partying habits or the amount of time they spend with a group of friends, learn to suck it up and hold it in. [Read: Why am I so jealous? The real reasons why we feel it and how to fix it ASAP]
6. Accept each other’s habits
When you fall in love with someone new, you fall in love with a person who’s unique, not a spitting image of your dream lover.
Instead of trying to change them to fit your requirements, learn to adjust to their habits. By restricting a lover or trying to change someone at the very beginning, you risk the chance of losing them forever.
Whether you’re in love or otherwise, you can’t really change someone’s personality. If you find your new lover incompatible, end the relationship instead of suffering a nervous breakdown from frustrations or insecurities. In terms of new relationship advice, this is key. [Read: Avoidable habits that will change your life for the worse]
7. You don’t have to say the L word
Just because you’re in a relationship with your new lover, it doesn’t mean you have to start saying those three magical words to each other as soon as you decide to go out with each other.
By saying it out loud first, you’re subtly coercing your partner into saying it back. And whether your new love says it back or not, it’s only going to lead to awkwardness in the air because it’s all happening so fast.
Take it slow and wait a while, maybe a month or so before you say it out loud – whatever feels right. [Read: When should you say “I love you” for the first time?]
8. Don’t introduce your date to your friends too soon
When you’re in a new relationship, you’re still exploring each other and learning about each other. Don’t call your friends over when your new lover’s with you or plan a group date just to show off your new catch.
Though it’s not a bad thing to do, overwhelming your new lover with too much information at once can seem like too much, too fast.
This piece of new relationship advice is an important one because when someone feels pushed into a corner, they’re only going to run. [Read: Signs your friends are ruining your relationship]
9. Talk to each other
When you’re in a new relationship, bodily exploration may be the high point of every date that ends in a cozy corner or in one of your beds. But that doesn’t really help create a good relationship. Communication does.
Try to sneak in a long conversation every now and then and learn about each other, likes, dislikes, interests, and all.
Doing this, it’ll help you figure out the romantic compatibility and also help bring both of you closer on a level that’s beyond sexual attraction. [Read: 50 easy questions for a new relationship to predict your romantic future together]
10. Always be honest
This is one of the most important pieces of new relationship advice, in fact, any relationship, not just new ones. If you can’t be honest right off the bat, then your relationship isn’t going to last.
You need to be honest with this person right from the start of your relationship. This is usually the hardest part, but if you’re true to yourself, you’ll be true to the relationship. That’s what will keep you together through thick and thin. [Read: How to be vulnerable and grow closer in a relationship]
11. Always remember that slow and steady wins the race
When you really like someone, you really want to speed things up. It’s completely normal. But this is the mistake that we always make, and what happens is that the honeymoon phase fizzles out quickly. Instead, why not enjoy it?
This is the moment when you’re supposed to be going on exciting and fun dates, having sexy sleepovers, and truly getting to know each other. [Read: How to slow your new relationship down and prepare for happiness]
12. No fights over text
Please, oh please, before you angrily text your partner, think about it. Are they really going to read this message the way you want them to? Of course not.
You need to talk about any issue with them face-to-face. This time in the relationship is crucial for establishing communication. You need to create a standard that will continue throughout your relationship.
13. Leave your exes out of it
Many people are very guilty of this but it’s not going to help you. Don’t bring exes up in conversations when you’re talking about funny situations from the past.
We know that you can’t help that they were there, but honestly, you need to keep them out of the conversation, or else it looks like you haven’t moved on. [Read: How to talk about a past relationship with your partner]
14. Don’t stop seeing your friends
We cannot express this enough and as far as new relationship advice goes, it’s vital. It’s easy to become wrapped up in a relationship and ignore the people who’ve been around for years.
You need to spend no more than half your time with your partner because you need time with your friends and family.
Not only is this a good piece of new relationship advice because you’re not smothering your partner, but you’re also maintaining your own life and social connections, which is oh-so-important.
15. Establish your boundaries
If you don’t do it now, you’ll have a hard time establishing them later on. Everyone has their personal boundaries, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
But you need to express them and let the person know where the line is. These boundaries could be about anything such as who pays for what, PDA, and personal time alone. The earlier you do it, the easier it will be. [Read: New relationship boundaries and lines all couples must draw early on]
16. Don’t change for anyone
When we like someone, it’s easy for us to change our opinions to better suit our partner. We do this because we want to feel a connection with them, but it isn’t the way.
Instead, if you’re too much alike, it can get boring. Stay true to your opinions and feelings because you have them for a reason. [Read: Self-reflective questions to help you stay true to yourself]
17. Be open about sex
For you, maybe the sex would be better if your partner changed the way they went down on you, but they don’t know that because you’re not telling them.
We like to pretend that sex isn’t that important when it comes to relationships, but it’s a huge factor. At the beginning of the relationship, be open about your sexual preferences and vice versa. But always remember to talk about these things in a sensitive way!
18. Go easy with meeting the parents
Listen, don’t rush to meet the parents. They’ll let you know when they’re ready, and it’s best if they meet your family when they express their desire to. If not, you may put them in an awkward situation.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t invite them to dinner, just let them decide if they want to go or not. [Read: Clear signs it’s the right time to meet the parents]
19. Make an effort to get to know their friends
You can learn a lot about another person by seeing who they hang out with. When they introduce you to their friends, make sure that you take the time to get to know them.
You’ll be able to see who your partner likes to spend their time with and why they choose the people they hang out with. It also shows your partner that you’ll fit into their life just fine. [Read: 15 things to talk about in a perfect relationship]
20. Talk about what the relationship is
You may really like them, but if they think this is just a hookup, well, you’re on different pages. You both need to know and talk to each other about where you’d like this relationship to go.
That way, if your partner only wants something casual, you don’t invest emotionally in the relationship.
However, don’t go having this conversation after the second date. You need to wait a while and then try and seek the clarity you need. [Read: When to define the relationship – 20 signs it might be right now]
21. Don’t overthink
When starting a new relationship, we tend to overthink things and look above and beyond into the future. Stop doing that.
The present is happening now and if you’re looking ahead, you’re missing what’s happening in front of you. Try to stay in the present, you’ll enjoy the relationship more.
22. Avoid fantasizing about the future
It’s okay if you’d like to talk about future date ideas and things you can do in the following months. But imposing your fantasies about marriage, kids, or moving in can make your new partner think that you want to move too fast. Isn’t it way too soon for that talk?
What if your partner hasn’t even thought about anything in the future other than your next date?
Whatever fantasies you have about your future together, save it for when your relationship is fully established and stable. This way, you can both share your dreams and work on achieving them. [Read: 60 get-to-know-you questions for a new romance]
23. Keep the details to yourself
Remember this piece of new relationship advice! It can’t be helped when you gush to all your mates about your new beau, but don’t go overboard and share too much.
Your partner too won’t be very pleased when you tell everyone about these things either. Try to resist the temptation to tell people about the little details that should remain between couples like weird bathroom habits, stinky feet, or wild fetishes.
24. Know that obstacles occur
Each relationship reaches its first challenge at different times. But when it’s your turn, don’t let it make you feel like your relationship has become damaged beyond repair.
You must understand that for a relationship to work, both of you must be willing to put in some work.
You can’t just drop everything when you’re starting to feel like things aren’t as perfect as they once were. Remember, challenges make you stronger! [Read: Relationship stages all couples go through]
25. Quit with the unavailability games
Your relationship is new, yes, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be one of your priorities. If you start off by being too aloof, your partner may feel neglected to the point of wishing they had never invested their feelings in you.
The early stages of the relationship are fragile because this is where you’re building your foundation.
Don’t disregard this starting phase because a relationship built on a flimsy foundation will be so much easier to dissolve at the first pitfall.
26. Red flags are there for a reason
Some couples, in their desperation to keep things together, cling to the relationship so much that they’re in denial about its flaws. It’s easy to dismiss the red flags when you really want things to work out.
But if you ignore them for too long, you may one day find that you’ve invested so much in someone who’s been treating you badly for years! [Read: Early warning signs that your relationship is starting to go bad]
Okay, so you want to know things about your significant other that you don’t want to ask upfront. But come on, don’t be the creepy partner who stalks a partner’s pictures from way back in 2008!
If you want to know something, ask. It beats sneaking around and jumping to your own conclusions. Also, trust us when we say you’re probably better off not unearthing your partner’s poor fashion choices in the early 2000’s. [Read: Social media and relationships – the rules, etiquette, and where couples go wrong]
28. Avoid imposing your beliefs on your partner
This is something that can be tricky, especially if you’re passionate about something. Bear in mind that you can’t expect your partner to believe every single thing that you believe in, whether it’s religion, politics, animal rights, or whatever you have a firm stand on.
You’re not supposed to be clones of each other, so don’t start preaching if your partner has opposing beliefs. What you can do is be more open to their point of view.
If there’s a big issue that you don’t meet eye to eye on, try to be more understanding or get out of the relationship if you feel like this will compromise your beliefs. [Read: 25 relevant and important questions to ask your significant other]
29. Don’t make your partner choose their priorities
It’s unfair if you’re making your partner choose between you or their friends, their family, their job, or their hobbies. You can’t expect your partner to prioritize you above everything else just yet.
Your relationship is just starting to grow, so you can’t expect your partner to drop everything and be at your beck and call.
Considering your relationship is just starting, you don’t have much of a fighting chance against things your new lover has valued before you came along. Keep this in mind, lest you make your partner choose and they end up not choosing you. Ouch. [Read: Reasons why saying ‘I love you’ too soon just sucks!]
30. Focus on the present, not the past
It’s easy to bring old baggage into a new relationship, but it’s vital that you try and avoid it at all costs.
Your new partner isn’t the same as your ex, and you’re not bound to make the same mistakes or go through the same things as you did before.
The best new relationship advice is to give everyone a fair go and don’t judge them by things you experienced in the past.
31. Are you attracted to the person or the relationship?
Perhaps it’s not the actual person you find attractive, just the idea of being in a relationship. Make sure you’re with the person for them and not because you’re dreaming of being part of a couple. It’s not fair on them and it’s only going to leave you feeling dissatisfied over time.
Some people idealize being in a relationship to the point where they don’t care who it is, they just want to be with someone. Don’t be that person. [Read: Science of attraction – 17 things that are far more sexy than looks]
32. Develop a friendship with your partner
The best relationships are grown from friendships. Even if you weren’t friends before you started dating, that doesn’t mean you can’t develop a friendship in the here and now. It’s not all about tearing each other’s clothes off!
Talk about your likes and dislikes, really get to know them, and each other’s biggest supporters. When you do this, your relationship will be stronger and able to overcome any roadblocks.
33. Don’t repeat past mistakes
It’s not only about not bringing old baggage into a relationship but not repeating your past mistakes too. If you know that you tend to do a certain thing around a certain point of being with someone, stop yourself.
If it didn’t work for you in the past, it’s not going to work now. [Read: Emotional baggage – what it is, types, causes, 27 signs and steps to put it down]
34. Discuss intimacy
What are your love languages? Do you mind PDAs? What about your partner? Perhaps they make them feel cringe and uncomfortable.
It’s important that you talk about intimacy and how you need and want to be loved. When you do this, you’re both able to give one another what you need and your relationship will be stronger for it.
35. Be strong if it ends
We don’t want to end this on a negative point, but as far as new relationship advice is concerned, this one is quite important. Look, not all relationships work out and if that happens to you, it’s important to be strong and work your way through it.
If it’s not meant to be, it’s just not going to happen, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work out with someone else better suited to you. [Read: 36 healing steps to get over heartbreak and deal with the pain of fixing it]
It’s time to go with the flow
Out of all the new relationship advice we’ve given you, perhaps this is the most important – just go with the flow!
Don’t try and force things. If you do, you’ll only make everything move too fast and go in a direction that’s not ideal. Instead, go with the flow, see where it takes you, and remember to enjoy every second.
[Read: Are we in a relationship? How to know for sure if you’re a couple]
This new relationship advice will help you understand how to have a good relationship right from the start. After all, a new relationship, as exciting as it may be, is still fragile and breakable.
