5 Signs You’re Stuck in a Situationship, Not a Relationship
Last Updated:July 22, 2025, 16:50 IST
Situationship is that grey area where you are kind of with someone, but not officially.
It might feel exciting at first, but over time, it can become frustrating, especially if you are looking for something real.(Representative Image)
In today’s world, relationships come in all shapes and forms. And one of the most confusing ones is the “situationship.” It is that grey area where you are kind of with someone, but not officially. There is no label, no commitment, and no clarity.
It might feel exciting at first, but over time, it can become frustrating, especially if you are looking for something real. Here are five clear signs that you might be stuck in a situationship:
Plans Happen Only When It Is Convenient for Them
If most of your hangouts are made last-minute or only when the other person has nothing else to do, that is a red flag. They rarely plan or make an effort to spend time with you.
When you ask about plans, their answers are usually vague, like “let’s see” or “maybe.” You might notice that you are always the one trying to make plans, while they don’t seem too interested.
Conversations Stay on the Surface
Whenever you try to have a deep, meaningful talk about your feelings, past experiences, or your emotional needs, they quickly change the topic or act distant.
Most of your chats are light, playful, or just about day-to-day stuff. If you can’t connect on a deeper level, it is likely the relationship isn’t going anywhere serious.
You Get Just Enough Attention to Stay Interested
This is called “breadcrumbing.” They give you small bits of attention—just enough to keep you around—but not enough to build a real connection. They may show interest here and there, then pull back emotionally.
This kind of behaviour can mess with your feelings, making you hope things will change when they probably won’t. Over time, it becomes harder to set boundaries or step away.
They Keep You Out of Their Personal Life
If you have never met their friends or family, and your time together always stays private, that is a sign they might not want to take things further. They are fine spending time with you in private, but not in public. It may feel like they are hiding you—or just don’t see you as part of their life long-term.
Talking About the Relationship Is Off-Limits
If you bring up what you want from the relationship and they shut down the conversation, that is a problem. They may call you “too needy” or say you are expecting too much. This makes the bond feel unstable, and you might start to doubt yourself.
Over time, this emotional uncertainty can wear you down. If these signs sound familiar, you might not be in a relationship—you’re just stuck in a situationship.
About the Author
Nishad Thaivalappil is a Lifestyle and Entertainment Journalist with almost a decade-long odyssey in the realms of movies, music, culture, food, and travel. He leads the Lifestyle desk at News18.com. Besides ha…Read More
Nishad Thaivalappil is a Lifestyle and Entertainment Journalist with almost a decade-long odyssey in the realms of movies, music, culture, food, and travel. He leads the Lifestyle desk at News18.com. Besides ha… Read More
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