The honeymoon phase of a relationship generally lasts from a few months up to about two years, with many experts pointing to 6 to 18 months as a common timeframe, though it varies greatly by couple and circumstances like daily stressors. It's a natural period of intense infatuation and idealization where "feel-good" chemicals are high, eventually transitioning as reality sets in and deeper connection, trust, and commitment are built.
Honeymoon fading: you still want regular closeness, sex, shared activities, and emotional intimacy, although less constantly. Not in love: you avoid intimacy, rarely initiate contact, don't miss them when apart, and prefer being alone or with others.
Relationship expert Dr. Laura Berman discusses the romance advice once again going viral: the 2-2-2 rule. The rule says committed couples should go on a date once every two weeks, spend a weekend away every two months and take a week-long vacation every two years. This segment aired on KTLA 5 Weekend Morning on Aug.
Each of the three numbers—three, six, and nine—stands for the month that a different common stage of a relationship tends to end.
Key Takeaways. The honeymoon phase is a blissful early stage in a relationship lasting six months to two years. Not all couples experience a honeymoon phase, but skipping it might lead to a stronger relationship. Once the honeymoon phase ends, couples often face challenges but can build a lasting bond through them.
The 7-7-7 rule for couples is a guideline for maintaining strong connection by scheduling dedicated time: a date night every 7 days, a weekend getaway (or night away) every 7 weeks, and a longer, kid-free vacation every 7 months, all designed to fight drift and routine by ensuring consistent, intentional quality time, though flexibility is key.
The three-month rule is a timeframe that many people in the dating world use to evaluate the potential of a new relationship. It suggests that within the first three months, you should have enough information and experience with your partner to decide whether you want to continue the relationship or move on.
survived the dreaded two-year mark (i.e. the most common time period when couples break up), then you're destined to be together forever… right? Unfortunately, the two-year mark isn't the only relationship test to pass, nor do you get to relax before the seven-year itch.
Studies have shown that relationships generally end within 3 to 5 months from the day they begin. I can honestly say that before I met my husband most of my relationships ended in, and around, this window too.
Understand that there's no set number of dates before a relationship becomes official; it's unique to each couple. Look for signs like meaningful communication and the desire to spend your time exclusively with each other.
The hardest stage of a relationship may be the power struggle stage, where all your doubts creep in, particularly if you're asking yourself whether these flaws are indeed red flags.
While many factors contribute, many experts point to poor communication (especially criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling) and a breakdown in emotional connection/trust, often stemming from dishonesty or disrespect, as the #1 things that destroy marriages, eroding intimacy and making partners feel unheard and unloved over time. Infidelity, financial stress, and shifting priorities (like putting family/in-laws above spouse) are also major contributors that feed these core issues.
How often should you talk to your partner? While every couple is different, it's common for partners to talk a few times a day. Sending a few texts back and forth and maybe talking on the phone at some point during the day is pretty normal for people in committed relationships.
Signs the spark is gone in a relationship often involve a decline in physical intimacy (less sex, touching, kissing), reduced or negative communication (criticism, stonewalling, no deep talks), emotional distance (feeling detached, irritable), and a lack of shared enjoyment or effort (avoiding time together, no dates, less interest in the future). It's a shift from excitement and vulnerability to routine or resentment, where the desire for deep connection and shared passion fades.
Stages of Relationships by Months
Stage 1: The euphoric stage - 6 months to 24 months (2 years) Stage 2: The early attachment stage - 12 months (1 year) to 60 months (5 years) Stage 3: The crisis stage - 60 months (5 years) to 84 months (7 years) Stage 4: The deep attachment stage - 84 months (7 years) and beyond.
But I will say this, the research says that most couples who get to the attachment phase, have less sex than those in the infatuation stage. Once that honeymoon or infatuation phase ends and those hormone levels drop, you're either going to move to the Attachment Phase or you're going to break up.
The study, which was carried out among 2,000 adults, found a dwindling sex life, sleeping in different rooms and no longer holding hands are among the common signs the magic has gone.
In the early days, your brain is riding high on dopamine and serotonin. This chemical cocktail makes everything feel effortless. But as the novelty wears off, the brain settles down—and so does the relationship. The rosy glow fades, and you begin to see your partner as a full human with flaws, habits, and complexities.
The "65% rule of breakups" refers to research suggesting couples often separate when relationship satisfaction drops below a critical threshold, around 65% of the maximum possible score, indicating distress is too high to continue. While not a formal psychological law, experts use the idea to suggest that if you feel significantly unhappy (e.g., 65% sure the relationship isn't working), it might be time to consider ending it to create space for peace and something healthier, rather than staying in a failing situation.
The first seasonal breakup peak—coined the “spring clean”—goes down in March. But the biggest love purge falls about two weeks before the winter holidays—hence the name 'breakup season'.
The four behaviors that predict over 90% of divorces, known as Dr. John Gottman's "Four Horsemen," are Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling, which erode connection, respect, and safety, leading to relationship breakdown. These destructive communication patterns, if persistent, signal that a marriage is likely to end, with contempt being the most damaging.
The study found that approximately 70 percent of divorces are initiated by women and women are also more likely to end non-marital relationships as well. And while a break-up can often be bittersweet for women – a combination of sadness, and some hopefully optimism for the future, that just isn't the case for men.
So, from three to six months, the honeymoon phase has worn off, you start to learn each other's faults, and small arguments might occur. From six to nine months, the end of the conflict stage brings larger issues and arguments. Finally, if the conflict stage doesn't break you, you land in the “decision-making” stage.
💙 The 369 manifestation method involves writing down your goals three times in the morning, six times in the afternoon, and nine times at night. 💙 While not a proven science, the 369 method may help you boost motivation, clarity, and emotional connection to your goals.
Every 2 Weeks: Go on a date. Every 2 Months: Take a weekend away. Every 2 Years: Plan a getaway together.