The start of a new relationship can be one of the most exciting aspects of dating. There’s a reason it’s called the honeymoon stage. You’re getting to know this person and all you’re focused on is how exciting it is to finally have someone to call late at night and early in the morning, or to take you to that stupid movie none of your friends will see with you. Or at least, that’s how this stage used to be. Now, there are so many ways we naturally invade each other’s privacy through social media and the ability to constantly be in contact, there’s a whole stage before this one. The dreaded “talking stage.”

This stage occurs from the moment you meet someone, or go on your first date, until the moment you have the talk that defines your exclusivity. It’s by far the most confusing aspect of dating in the 21^st century. Personally, I move its abolishment ASAP. Until then, it takes serious finesse to get through. The whole point is you and this person are starting to get to know each other, mainly via text, and are enjoying the attention while you figure out if you enjoy the person enough to date them. It sounds asinine to anyone born prior to the 1990s, so beware when asking friends and family for help. What makes this stage of "dating", if you can call it that, so confusing is that someone always cares more. There’s always one person pursuing and one person being pursued. At least that’s how it feels. There are so many questions that come to mind: Are we exclusive? Is it weird to send a good morning text? Is it too much? What about a goodnight text? Do I use emojis? Is it too soon? Where is this going? How long does this agony last!? And those are just a handful that come to mind.

The good news? Yes, there is some. In this day and age, everyone goes through this stage, and anyone who says they don’t is either lying or gets married a week in. You should probably talk to someone who has a little impulse control. You have two options: let all the confusion consume you until you just say “screw it”, or you can stop and talk to him. There's a saying that goes “don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game" and few phrases fit better than this one. What is the absolute worst thing that could happen if you just ask him where this is going? He calls you crazy? Well I can tell you he’s not mature enough for a relationship, and you just saved yourself months of heartbreak.

Whatever the outcome of that conversation, at least now you know. Whether he wants a full-blown relationship, wants to take it slow, doesn’t want commitment, what have you, the ball's in your court and you have all the information you need to figure out what your next move is. If you need more information, well the door is already open and you can just ask.