Why Your Relationship Status Matters and What Each One Means

So what is a relationship status? Put simply, it’s where you stand when it comes to romance. Whenever someone wants to know if you’re taken or single, the answer you give spells out your relationship status. You could give several different answers, and the right one isn’t always obvious (sometimes it truly is complicated).

Your status shapes the dynamic between you and your partner. Picture yourself at a social event when someone calls you and your casual date “a cute couple” — and an awkward silence follows because you two haven’t had that talk yet. Being on the same page makes life so much easier.

Define the relationship for yourself, not to meet societal norms or your family’s expectations. Labels aren’t a bad thing. Stay relaxed about it, though, since there’s no point in naming your partnership until you’re ready for it.

The Different Relationship Statuses

To start, here are the common relationship statuses people and couples use to describe their dating lives. These labels help others grasp your situation, and they make communication with your partner a lot clearer too.

Single

When it comes to relationship status, we all begin as single. Being single tells secret admirers and would-be suitors that the coast is clear.

Single life gives you the freedom to flirt without holding back, since you’re not romantically tied to anyone.

Being single has plenty of perks. There’s no limit on how many casual dates you can go on. You can check out your area for fun outings with people. You can simply do you.

Singles have a wide range of dating options and don’t need to answer for the feelings of a significant other.

In a Relationship 

The label “in a relationship ” is common among people in their 30s and older. As we age, the urge to settle down and stop flying solo grows stronger.

If someone’s Facebook status says “in a relationship,” that person is off the market because they have a girlfriend or boyfriend. It’s a clear-cut status that two romantically involved people take on.

Telling people you’re in a relationship lets the world know you’re dating one partner exclusively. Such exclusivity usually means dating one-on-one, communicating intimately, and blending your circles of friends and family.

Being in a committed relationship means you’re serious about staying together and possibly committing for the long term in a way that could end in marriage.

Someone who is polyamorous might have an open relationship while still dating actively. With ethical non-monogamy, a person’s relationship status isn’t a dealbreaker when it comes to dating someone new.

Couples might be in polyamorous relationships in which each is romantically involved with other partners. So keep in mind that you can’t judge a book by the status on its cover.

Engaged

Being engaged signals a deep commitment and a promise about the future. When someone tells you, “I’m engaged,” it means they plan to get married.

Engaged couples have moved past casual dating and even serious dating. They’ve signed up for the long haul. An engagement means planning a wedding and starting down the road to married life, as two separate lives start to merge into one.

Going from dating to engagement should be a happy change.

Most of the time, when someone tells you they’re engaged, you instinctively say, “Congrats!”

This status tends not to last long, since it’s a stepping stone rather than a final stop. On social media, you’ll probably spot newly engaged couples in your Instagram feed.

Married

Married is a status for a serious relationship (or, to be more precise, a marital status) that signals true love and staying power between two people.

Marriage is becoming less common among today’s 20-somethings, many of whom are still holding on to their single status.

Being married means you and your partner have moved beyond engagement into a status that’s legally binding and spiritually charged.

Marriage in the U.S. carries its own rights and responsibilities. Married couples may open joint bank accounts, file their taxes together, or share custody of children.

Marriage brings certain shared benefits and burdens, especially where your partner’s health, finances, and work-life balance are concerned.

It’s Complicated

One of the most infamous relationship statuses got its start on Facebook. “It’s complicated” means someone isn’t sure exactly where they stand.

This status is the very definition of a dating gray area. There’s no clear label or answer for what’s happening romantically. And as Avril Lavigne could tell you, that can be pretty frustrating.

Maybe you’re on a break, or maybe you’re friends with benefits. Or perhaps you’ve only just started talking to someone new and don’t know the rules yet. Whatever the situation, your relationship or situationship is hard to explain.

With the “it’s complicated” status, you’ll have to deal with some ambiguity and uncertainty. Brace yourself for awkward questions, and share only what you feel comfortable telling others. Ultimately, it’s your business.

If you’d like things to be more official and less dramatic, you and your partner will need to talk about where the relationship is headed and how you each want it to develop.

What Shapes Your Relationship Status

Plenty of life circumstances can affect relationship status. Nobody has full control over their love story, and outside forces sometimes decide the status for you.

Values

Your values and goals can shape where your romantic relationship goes. Certain cultural or religious beliefs can also affect relationship status.

For some, religion can be the deciding factor in an emotional bond, because sharing the same views matters for keeping the relationship dynamic healthy.

Outside Influences

Your family and friends also have a big influence on your relationship. In the end, we all turn to our community for advice, and what a friend or relative thinks of your partner can seriously affect how the relationship plays out.

Commitment Issues

Sometimes we just aren’t ready for a long-term commitment. You may have had your heart broken before, or maybe you’ve never pictured yourself as someone who settles down.

Commitment issues often stand in the way of relationships. If you know you don’t plan to stick around long-term, make sure your partner understands.

Why It Matters to Know Where You Stand

Knowing your relationship status clearly makes dating a lot simpler. A healthy, stable relationship brings mental wellness benefits, while a toxic one is simply bad for your mental health.

When you’re unsure where you stand romantically, it’s easy to get lost in your feelings. You might start overthinking the rules, what your partner wants, and how to reply to every text they send. Defining the relationship (DTR) relieves a huge amount of anxiety and mental strain.

Take time to decide where you’d like your dating life to go. Reflect on yourself and on the person you’re seeing. Are you emotionally invested, or only in it for fun?

Talking about how you feel and how you’d like to move forward is important. Bring your partner into the decision-making.

Dating someone opens up new ways to grow closer and blend your social circles.

There’s something beautiful about growing together. If you like the person you’re dating and hope to move things forward, it’s worth having The Talk.

Define the Relationship and Find Clarity

Dating is largely about building intimacy with someone and getting clear on your own wants. The way you handle your dating life will define your relationship status.

You and your partner need a relationship status to understand where you are now and where you’re headed.

Titles aren’t what matters, but knowing your status can give you some calm. To know where you stand, you need healthy communication.

Have an open, honest talk with your partner about what you want from your relationship. Discussing your relationship status lets you shape the dating experience you want.