Let’s consider the Bollywood flick, ‘Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani,’ where Rani wanted her dynamic with Rocky to not progress beyond a fling. However, it created confusion when Rocky started developing serious emotions and wanted their relationship to turn into a serious commitment, that is marriage.
Though Rocky and Rani managed to resolve their issues and get married in the end, real-life situations may not have such happy endings.
Often, the quasi-relationship does not end well if you are seeking romantic or emotional intimacy in addition to physical intimacy.
Don’t know how to steer through the foggy tide of casual intimacy and set sail into uncharted waters? If you are experiencing ambiguity in a relationship and want to sail forth on a satisfactory journey, you need to dive into the dating pool with defined terms.
Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with tips to sail through the friends with benefits (FWB) territory. Let’s explore the question about situationship vs friends with benefits and find out which would work best for you.
Table of Contents
What Is A Situationship?
As the name suggests, these relationships are subject to changes based on the circumstances. It may have a certain essence for you and a completely different meaning for the opposite person.
For example, I once dated a guy, Harsh, and we were seriously committed. Though it did not work out eventually, we continued to harbor strong feelings for each other. It resulted in us getting back a couple of times, only to realize that he does not feel the same way about me as I do about him.
I wanted a serious commitment, but I was merely fine with things that did not have any emotional depth. Once I was honest with myself, I began to understand that it was emotionally draining me, and I had to stop seeing him altogether.
While a situationship may work out if both have the same emotional connection, it causes a lot of chaos if the feelings are not mutual. This undefined zone in a relationship is what a situationship is all about.
In the following section, we’ll discuss some signs that imply you are in a situationship.
Signs That You’re In A Situationship
Are you tired of worrying about where you stand in your relationship? How do you define the blurry boundaries of a relationship? Here are 7 indications to help you understand if you are in a situationship.
- There is no commitment beyond casual physical intimacy and/or friendship.
- Often, the unwanted presence of a male or a female best friend or multiple partners causes tension in the romantic relationship.
- At times, friends or family members get involved, leading to more complications.
- External factors like work pressure may affect the flow of the relationship.
- Falling in love may spoil the relationship if the other person is not ready to commit at the moment.
- You tend to avoid conversations that will establish serious parameters about the relationship in the long term.
- The relationship may have different meanings for both of you, given that you do not communicate openly or honestly about each other’s expectations.
Pros & Cons of Situationships
Being in a situationship proves to be fun and satisfying at times. However, staying in the gray area for a long time can also make things toxic. To help you navigate the connection smoothly, we have listed some pros and cons of a relationship with no strings attached.
Pros
- Gives you adequate time to decide whether you want an emotional connection with the opposite person.
- The benefit of enjoying someone’s company without massive compromises.
- Low emotional investment.
- Scope to learn new things in dating or relationships.
- Somewhat relaxing and, hence, allows you to prioritize yourself.
Cons
- Lack of well-defined boundaries, leading to conflicts.
- Inconsistency resulting in broken promises and disappointments.
- Chances of the other person dating multiple people simultaneously.
- The feeling of being taken for granted.
- A one-sided relationship if you catch feelings and the other person does not.
What Is ‘Friends With Benefits’?
Friends with benefits is a sort of relationship where two people engage in physical activity with each other but do not have expectations of a committed relationship from it. Considering that both parties know the boundaries, a FWB relationship works well if you are open about your needs and desires. However, it can be challenging if one of you develops feelings for the other.
Statistically, a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship does not guarantee a long-term romantic connection.
For an FWB not to end in heartbreak, you have to be emotionally mature sufficiently. You must know that the opposite person might inform you that they have found someone they want to commit to. It is then that you have to bid goodbye to the incredible sex and emotional connection you had with them.
Also Read: 9 Stages of Breakup for a Guy
Signs That You’re Into A ‘Friends With Benefits’ Relationship
How to decipher if you are in a FWB relationship with someone? Here are 5 clear signs that you must note down if you are confused about your relationship scenario.
- No check-in texts or calls.
- Doesn’t involve you with friends or family.
- No conversation about being exclusive.
- Hangouts are always focused on sex.
- Actions and words seldom match.
Pros & Cons of ‘Friends With Benefits’
Before deciding whether a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship is going to work out, you must be aware of its advantages as well as disadvantages.
Pros
- No serious commitments
- Lets you explore wild fantasies in a physical relationship
- Scope to date others
Cons
- Can be emotionally exhausting if differences in desires crop up
- Risks of losing a precious friendship if things go haywire
- May distract you from your life if you are daydreaming excessively about new sexual fantasies
Situationship Vs Friends With Benefits: What’s Better?
There are several differences between being in a situationship vs friends with benefits relationship. Since each has its own set of pros and cons., you should understand which one suits you the best. Here’s a guide to help you choose your dating scenario.
| Situationship | Friends with Benefits |
| Partner(s) may be unclear about boundaries, which may lead to heartbreaks. | Since both partners are usually inclined towards satisfying sexual desires, they do not tend to hold feelings. |
| Chances of unexpected real connections with the partner. | No scope for real bonding due to stipulated conditions. |
| It comes with implied exclusivity. | It involves maximum freedom in the dating field. |
So, if you’re someone looking for full-on emotional commitments, you must decide or define what the scene is going to be like. In this case, FWB is a big NO because it will not lead to a conventional romantic partnership. Contrariwise, you may opt for a situationship if you are looking for something that has the potential to turn into a full-fledged romantic relationship.
Conclusion
Now that you can distinguish between situationship vs friends with benefits, are you all set to venture into the dating zone and find the one who wants to be with you?
Since you are the master of your love life, always act in your interests, have honest communications with your partner, and set an action plan that brings out a good outcome for both parties. After all, neither of you will want to end up with a broken heart, isn’t it?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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