Feeling like you’re walking on air and your new relationship is just too good to be true?
Enjoy it while it lasts!
The intoxicating honeymoon period does have an expiration date.
If you want to find out how long your newfound bliss could endure or when real life might set in again, this article will clue you in on what to expect after the roses and rainbows fade.
Gain insight into the science behind the honeymoon phase and how you can extend the magic as long as possible.
What Is the Honeymoon Phase of a Relationship?
That candy-coated new relationship glow serves up some sweet beginnings for couples.
You know the honeymoon period we’re talking about—it’s when you and your new boo are oh-so blissfully smitten.
Everything feels easy, emotional, and electric. You can’t peel your eyes (or your hands) off each other!
This dreamy phase of heightened romance, connection, and passion typically kicks in after the first few weeks of dating.
Scientists attribute this to surging neurochemicals and natural relationship progressions.
Some signs of the honeymoon phase include:
- Butterflies in your stomach—You constantly feel excited, euphoric, and even anxious around your new partner. The infatuation is intense.
- Rose-colored glasses—You idealize your new partner and ignore or minimize their flaws. Everything seems perfect through your besotted lens.
- Constant Contact—You want to talk, text, and hang out with your sweetheart 24/7. You can’t bear to be apart!
- Oversharing—You immediately open up to your partner, bonding through deep emotional conversations. Caution and restraint get tossed aside.
- Tunnel Vision—You become obsessed and can think of little else besides your beloved. Hobbies, friends, and everything else falls by the wayside.
How Long Does The Honeymoon Phase Last?
So, when does the honeymoon phase end? The passionate, euphoric stage of a new romantic relationship typically lasts about three months.
During this time, feelings of attraction are intense; couples want to spend all their time together, and flaws tend to be ignored.
The rush of emotions and connection are fueled by heightened dopamine, oxytocin, and other neurochemicals.
While the initial infatuation starts fading after about 90 days for most couples, elements of excitement and sentimentality can continue for up to 2 years.
As relationships progress, deep affection evolves but looks different from the love high of starting out.
Partners build history, and devotion replaces constant attachment.
9 Things to Consider During the Honeymoon Phase
Basking in the glow of a new relationship? While enjoyment should be the priority, keeping some practical matters in sight allows you to build a healthy foundation.
This list highlights key relationship milestones, communication essentials, and more tips for making the most of this special time together.
Related: 13 Realtionship Contract Templates
1. Define the Relationship
Are you casually dating? Monogamously paired off? The talk doesn’t have to be awkward—discussing relationship status openly leads to less confusion down the line. Have an honest chat about what you both want to provide clarity on expectations. This prevents assuming you’re on the same page by default.
Set parameters for intimacy levels, social media postings, contacting exes, etc. Get into specifics so you know where you stand. Defining the dynamic early allows affection to flourish within mutually agreed-upon boundaries.
Co-creating those relationship guardrails together fosters trust and understanding—two pillars for every robust bond. You might find yourselves revisiting definitions as connections strengthen.
2. Meet Each Other’s Inner Circle
The buddy test can make or break new love. Begin to integrate your sweetheart into your friend group and vice versa. This merger illuminates more dimensions of your personalities, providing a window into how you each handle social dynamics. Bonus: your squad’s feedback helps you view the relationship through a clear, objective lens.
Vetting out each other’s nearest and dearest illuminates day-to-day dynamics beyond the two of you. Pay attention here for red or green flags. Notice how your partner acts around others—are they charming and engaged or closed-off and aloof? The interactions reveal a lot about compatibility. If your inner circles vibe well, too, that bodes beautifully.
3. Establish Shared Values
The honeymoon phase can obscure potential differences in worldviews and principles between partners. Have explicit conversations about the most important values to each of you regarding family, career, spirituality, politics, and other meaningful areas.
Getting to know your respective stances and priorities allows you to build a strong foundation of understanding to navigate future issues. If you discover opposing viewpoints, directly address them rather than avoiding difficult discussions. This prevents misunderstandings from escalating over the long run.
When differences arise, lead with curiosity over criticism—first, seek to genuinely understand your partner’s perspective before reacting defensively. Making efforts to discuss positions non-judgmentally can help diffuse conflicts and find workable compromises. Establishing these good communication patterns in the first few months fosters a more resilient bond.
4. Define Communication Styles
Do you prefer calls or texts? Mask frustrations to avoid tension? Conflicting communication styles frequently trip up fresh unions. Early on, deconstruct your approaches: are you a call-me-constantly crusader or an inscription devotee? Extroverted? Passive aggressive? Knowing where the other party stands sets standards for navigating noise.
Address head-on how you handle disagreements so you can troubleshoot reflectively moving forward. Frame complaints constructively and reply with empathy. Preemptively plot how you’ll tackle obstacles as a team—perhaps you abstain from slamming doors or agree not to debate via text. Defusing clashes as soon as possible prevents resentment pile-ups.
5. Monitor for Red Flags
When infatuated with a new partner, people often ignore red flags and warning signs. However, acknowledging your concerns as you notice them helps to address issues before they escalate.
Regularly assess any habits you find annoying or problematic in your partner, like consistent lateness or seeking attention on social media that bothers you. Voice your grievances gently to get them on track rather than allowing small differences to turn into major turn-offs over time.
Healthy relationships should promote mutual growth and vulnerability without domination or power imbalances. Make sure affection and effort feel reciprocal from both parties. If you observe more serious troubles like aggression or manipulation from your partner, you must address these problems immediately by setting boundaries or seeking help.
Nipping problems in the bud can help you avoid ongoing relationship damage. Recognizing deal breakers early and having difficult talks is essential, even in the rush of a new romance.
6. Discuss Long-Term Goals
Will one move for the other’s career? Do your 10-year visions mesh? Envisioning a shared future solidifies bonds today. Float fantasy blueprints for your futures, and discuss dreams surrounding marriage, babies, home ownership, and dream jobs. Does the imagery sync up?
Getting insight into each other’s endgames can prevent painful detours. If your ambitions diverge drastically, examine whether compromise makes sense. Can a bicoastal situation work? Would alternate visions require sacrifice from one of you? Dash hopes early on that don’t align, so your expectations are realistic, then plot your united path based on what you each need to build your partnership.
7. Allow Time With Friends
Avoid becoming isolated as a couple and neglecting other relationships and activities. Make sure to nurture connections with friends, dedicate time to individual hobbies and interests, and prioritize self-care. Allowing your separate identities to erode and solely focusing on your partnership can be unhealthy long term.
Building a foundation of trust means allowing each other freedom as well. Keep consistent with commitments you make to friends and personal endeavors. Don’t make your partner feel guilty if they want solo time apart—some independence strengthens bonds for the future.
Regularly scheduling one-on-one recreational plans without your significant other maintains your broader support networks. Prioritizing all facets of your lives will lead to better relationship dynamics.
8. Temper Impulsive Decisions
Making major life decisions during the height of a new romance can often lead to future regrets. When feeling euphoric and caught up in relationship excitement, your judgment and objectivity become impaired. However, choices that seem ideal in the moment may not stand the test of time once the infatuation fades and perspective returns.
Before signing a joint lease, making a big move across the country, or other serious commitments, you should carefully consider them before moving forward. Allow the initial passion and intoxication of new love to settle before evaluating whether giant steps truly align with your long-term vision.
9. Discuss Deal Breakers
The blissful buzz of a new romance can obscure potential relationship dealbreakers. Talking together about future lifestyle factors in the first months of the relationship can help avoid painful conflicts later. Discuss any political, religious, or cultural differences that may cause friction long-term. Air out clashing timelines surrounding marriage, children, or geographical moves before deeply committing.
Hashing out completely incompatible stances or visions at the outset saves wasted energy for both of you. For example, if you expect monogamy forever but learn your partner prefers open relationships or polyamory, it’s best to surface the contradiction quickly rather than years down the line.
Even when wearing rose-colored glasses, critical scrutiny on touchy topics allows you to either work through issues successfully together or rip the band-aid off a doomed dynamic before deep heartache sets in.
How Do You Know When the Honeymoon Phase Is Over?
The dizzying infatuation that kicks off a new relationship can’t last forever. But when does the so-called honeymoon phase typically draw to a close? The timeline varies slightly for every couple, but there are telltale signs the initial magic is morphing. When the captivating chemicals start to dissipate, an enduring companionship emerges on the other side.
Indicators you’ve exited the Garden of Eden include:
- Spats Increase: Minor annoyances and arguments surface more often instead of glossing over flaws. You start asserting independence rather than attachment.
- Less Effort: You don’t stress over impressing your partner 24/7—cute outfits and eager compliments happen less. Comfort replaces anxious excitement.
- Real Life Resumes: After an obsession with each other dims, you rejoin the real world by picking up hobbies, seeing friends, etc.
- Rose-Colored Glasses Come Off: Infatuation fades, so you see your partner accurately, including positive and negative traits. New revelations can surprise you.
- Genuine Intimacy Blooms: The relationship moves beyond surface vulnerability into deeper territory, revealing genuine growth points for you both.
Rather than mourning the inevitable end of the honeymoon heyday, view it as an opportunity to commit to actively nurturing an evolving intimacy that endures longer term. The real relationship gets built on the other side.
Does the Honeymoon Phase Last Forever?
Not so much. The feeling of intense passion and constant infatuation that characterizes the beginning of a new romantic relationship is widely recognized to be temporary. These emotions naturally peak early and then fade as partnerships progress.
The honeymoon period is fueled by biochemicals like dopamine and oxytocin, which help create bonding behaviors between new couples. As attachment deepens, research shows neurochemical levels stabilize over time.
While the excitement and sentimentality of new love may evolve, relationships often transition into deeper intimacy grounded in commitment, trust, and maturity. Partners can actively nurture growth and affection to sustain fulfilling long-term bonds. But the dizzy euphoria of infatuation lasting permanently is unlikely.
What Should You Do After the Honeymoon Phase?
When that lovesick rush starts fading, don’t panic—your relationship can still thrive. You just need to put in consistent effort.
Talk Openly
Have honest conversations about how your feelings and priorities are evolving over time. Bring up any changing needs right away before resentment builds up. Keep dialogue judgment-free so you both feel safe addressing tricky topics. Updating each other openly allows your partnership to grow in healthy new directions.
Do Exciting New Things
Mix up your usual routines and share novel experiences to restore that spark. Take a pottery class together, go on hiking adventures, and try foods outside your comfort zones. Breaking out of relationship autopilot keeps things fresh and exciting while bringing you closer at the same time.
Spend Time with Other Couples
Hang out with some of your coupled-up friends and observe their healthy dynamics. Getting inspiration from those around you gives you fresh techniques to handle your own disputes smoothly. Plus, double dates are just more fun.
The goal is simple—actively nurture your bond with openness, novelty, and community. This helps you grow together for the long haul.
Work on Intimacy
Now that the puppy love stage is phasing out, direct your energy towards deeper emotional and physical intimacy. Have vulnerable conversations about your inner worlds, childhoods, fears, and dreams. Prioritize non-sexual touch like hugging, hand-holding, and gentle massages just to maintain affection. Make an effort to stay present and really listen without distractions to keep nurturing your closeness.
Learn to Resolve Conflicts
Conflicts are inevitable, but how you argue makes all the difference. You can compromise when needed without compromising values. If things escalate, take a breather and revisit discussions when you are both calm and clearheaded. No matter what, avoid criticism and contempt, which will corrode your closeness. Lead with empathy by seeing each other’s perspectives before reacting. Building this conflict resolution skillset helps nip problems before they spiral.
Share Life’s Little Moments
Text each other funny memes you find, save special memories in a shared photo album, and make breakfast together on weekends. Continuing to share bits of your inner world every day will strengthen your bond. Surprise your partner with their favorite snack after a bad day, or reminisce over an old inside joke to keep your love fortified even as the novelty fades.
Try New Things in Bed
Bedroom time can get boring once the wild passion declines post-honeymoon. But you can rekindle sexual excitement by experimenting with adventurous new activities together. Watch racy movies, use fantasy toys, take a sex ed workshop, and swap massage techniques. Keep communicating openly about your desires and anything off-limits to make sure you both enjoy sailing uncharted waters.
Final Thoughts
While the romantic honeymoon phase eventually ends, your relationship can thrive by constantly nurturing intimacy, communicating openly, and committing to growth as individuals and partners. Stay proactive to keep your connection meaningful. The initial infatuation may fade, but deeper and more nuanced love blossoms in its wake, which can bond your love over a lifetime.
