Okay so here’s the deal. People date and people are in relationships, everyone knows that, right? But here’s what people don’t know, or what they don’t understand, there’s a difference. That’s right, dating and being in a relationship is totally different. Bet you never thought about that, did you? Well, my friend, it's time to start thinking about it and taking into consideration the truth about being in a relationship vs. dating.

Let me break it down for you.

Being in a Relationship. A relationship, by definition, means a romantic or passionate attachment. So if people are in a relationship, they are typically in love with each other and they want to spend their time together. In relationships, you have to keep your focus on the right things to make it work. If you love someone, you try your best to win this person over. You’re committed to that one person and you spend time together and go on dates.

Dating. Dating, by definition, is to do an activity with someone you have might have a romantic relationship with or to go on a date or several dates with (someone). Dating is when you aren’t committed to one person, you can go out and have fun with your friends or, if you want to, you can go out on a date. The date can be with anyone you want. You can go with one person one night and another the next night if you want to simply because you aren’t committed to someone.

People confuse the two so often simply because when you’re in a relationship you go on dates, so people consider that dating. People who are in relationships will walk around telling everyone about how they and their boyfriend/girlfriend are dating. But the simple truth is, you’re not dating, you’re in a relationship. If you're dating someone, and I mean actually dating, you're just going out on a casual basis and having some fun. It can be with whoever you want and you can go bowling, out to dinner, go see a movie, etc. And you don't have to explain it to anyone, you know why? Because that person, whoever it is, is just a friend and you're just having fun.

Now that you know the truth and the difference between being in a relationship and dating, go out on a date with your significant other if you have one. If you don’t have one, go out with whoever you want, whenever you want, wherever you want. Have some fun while you're young. You're only young once and you need to live it up while you can. Soon it won't be so easy anymore.

But the most important thing is, whether you’re in a relationship or dating, make sure you’re putting yourself first and making yourself happy. You deserve it.