The good news is that there are many, many things to do that don't involve physical intimacy. Enjoy traditional dates like dinner and a movie or get creative with dates like rock climbing. Always talk before taking things to the next level. Communication is vital to any relationship, but it's even more important when you're taking it slow. You and your partner need to be able to clearly and respectfully discuss the boundaries of the relationship.

In other words, you need to be able to have calm discussions about what you're comfortable doing and what you're not comfortable doing. When there are disagreements about this crucial topic, you and your partner need to be able to listen to each others' concerns. When it's possible to compromise on a disagreement, try to do so. However, when it's not possible to compromise without taking the relationship to a level you're uncomfortable with, don't be afraid to stand your ground.

• free online dating friends;
• explain the process of radiocarbon dating;
• Explore Everyday Health.

Don't be too possessive. Taking a relationship slow may seem "old-fashioned" to some, but this isn't an excuse to have old-fashioned ideas about controlling your partner's behavior. Don't try to restrict your partner's time with friends, family, or other people who are important to him or her.

Remember that respect is a two-way street. Don't obsess over the tempo of your relationship. Being in a relationship should make you feel good most of the time. If you find yourself frequently stressing out about whether or not you should take things to the next level, relax. These changes should happen naturally after you've decided that you're ready and you have discussed them with your partner. They aren't "checkboxes" to mark off as quickly as possible on the way to a "real" relationship.

You also shouldn't let your partner do this. It's best to address these problems head-on rather than pretending that they do not exist.

How to Take a Relationship Slowly | Dating Tips

Just because you're taking things slow doesn't mean your relationship has to be boring. Keep things exciting by learning how to flirt and putting your knowledge into practice. With a little effort, your relationship can be a source of great passion, even if you're waiting to get intimate. See our article on flirting for lots of specific ideas. I've been with my boyfriend for almost four months, and we're happy.

Recently we started getting a bit intimate by kissing each other in bed.

We didn't do anything further than that. We both enjoyed it, but is it too soon to do that? As long as you're both comfortable with it, then it's fine. If he does something you're not comfortable with, though, don't be afraid to tell him so. Not Helpful 2 Helpful I would just be straightforward with him and explain that you're both moving a little too quickly. Ask him if he would mind slowing down and having more dates in public places; this ensures that you'll have fewer opportunities to get physical, making it easier to slow down.

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5. I'm quite young 13 , but me and my boyfriend have been together for about 10 months and haven't even held hands! Our friends say we should have by now. Is it bad to take it too slow? Although it's a little unusual, it's not bad at all, as long as you and your boyfriend are fine with the pace of things. It's not up to anyone outside of your relationship to decide its pace. As long as you both respect each other and don't cross any boundaries that the other person clearly isn't ready to cross, you're fine.

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 8.

If you aren't comfortable, don't do it. There is no one rule for relationships and if you aren't ready then don't push yourself to do something.

www.thetalko.com

Not Helpful 5 Helpful I have been with my boyfriend for a couple of months now but he doesn't want to go on dates because he feels it would be moving fast since he just got out of a relationship but we have intercourse. What should I do? Talk to him and explain that you are not happy with it. If he refuses to take you out, you may have to reevaluate your relationship. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2.

If he's still my crush after a year and a half and he knows I like him, what do I do? If he knows he is either not interested or he is too shy to say anything.

To know for sure you will have to talk to him and ask him how he feels. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3. Not Helpful 5 Helpful 7. I've been with my new boyfriend for nearly a week now, but when we started dating I lied about my age. Should I come clean or just keep lying? If you wait and he finds out later, he'll think he can't trust you. If you tell him now after only a week of dating, it will probably just seem like a small white lie and he'll get over it.

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Search form

Already answered Not a question Bad question Other. If you just prefer to take time in a relationship, then communicate with your partner. When Elizabeth Beanland, a senior at University of Massachusetts Amherst, went through this with her relationship, she found that taking a week apart from her partner helped re-do the pace of the relationship. If couples are already finding themselves in fast-paced relationships, I advise them to just spend less time together. Three to four times a week is plenty, and definitely avoid sleeping over every night.

Save it for the weekends! Though this was helpful for Elizabeth, some people may dislike the idea of spending an entire week apart. For people with those reservations, an easier way to go about spending less time with your significant other is to just try and plan more friend time. Whether it be a week or just weekday evenings, spending time apart will allow you to step outside of the relationship bubble. That being said, if your relationship picks up pace again and both you and your partner are into it then go for it.

Relationships are fickle, and what matters most is that the people involved are both on the same page. Zoe is a senior at Western Oregon University. She's the head of a freelance editing company, and the Editor-in-Chief at her University's newspaper.