“What even are we?” That is the question that many poor individuals — including many of my peers — must grapple with when they fall victim to what is known as the modern-day situationship. So I’m here to tell you that it’s time to leave this often toxic idea of romance behind.
A situationship, by definition, is a romantic relationship that isn’t considered to be formal or established. No labels, no authentic commitment. Otherwise known as a talking stage, these kinds of “flings” or low-maintenance connections have become extremely popular in the realm of teenage love. As someone who has witnessed her close friends crash out more than once over guys that they aren’t even dating, I can say for a fact that situationships definitely do not bring out the best in us. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself reposting sad targeted TikToks hoping they’ll see (they won’t.)
The problem with situationships is that they are limited to just that: situations — situations where every interaction (usually over text rather than in person) is ambiguous, and communication seems to always be a missing aspect. Both parties must analyze the other’s intentions behind every “WYD” and interval of delayed response time. Exhausting! Don’t get me wrong — there’s no problem with wanting to have a little fun and getting to know somebody, but there is a problem with not defining clear boundaries in your relationships with people and getting hurt. It’s detrimental to our well-being, our confidence and our understanding of love and connection as a whole.
So in 2026, instead of trying to read another person’s mind, have conversations and come to a common consensus of what you both want from the connection. If taking accountability and setting basic relationship standards scares the other party away, then take it as a sign that your situationship might not be your soulmate. Your life will not end when you drop the person who only messages you at 3 a.m., and for some reason, has still not asked you on a date (it’s been six months). Ω
