Perhaps this story sounds familiar: You’ve met someone cool. (And not on an app!) You’ve been seeing them for weeks, months, maybe you’re coming up on a year. And yet, the question persists: “What are we?” Hate to break it to you, but that sounds like a situationship. And unless you’re gunning for one and love it, that’s probably frustrating. But thanks to TikTok’s 333 Rule, you can set some boundaries so that you can get out of the gray area and be full-blown official. (Or realize it’s time to say, “Thank u, next.”)
TikTok’s 333 Rule Will Keep You Out of a Situationship
It’s time to DTR
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Published Nov 5, 2024
IMDb
How the 333 Rule Works
TikTok creator @shadierecinos’s viral dating tip is simple: three dates, three weeks, three months. In this time, he says, you should be able to determine whether or not you see long-term potential in a partner.
- After 3 Dates: “It shouldn’t take you guys more than three dates to figure out whether you guys are actually attracted to one another,” he says.
- After 3 Weeks: At this point, you’re probably communicating a little more and have gone on a few more dates. This should help you see whether there’s real potential and chemistry between you. Ask yourself: Could you potentially envision a future with this person? If the answer is yes, then continue. Otherwise, here’s a handy guide on what to text after the second date (or fourth).
- After 3 Months: “It should not take more than three months to figure out whether you guys are getting into an actual relationship or not,” Recinos says. If you’re both in agreement, make it official. If not, part ways amicably so there’s no stressful guesswork. (Because otherwise you may find yourself doom-searching “what to text after being ghosted” at 2 a.m.)
Of course, relationships aren’t cookie cutter, and the 333 Rule isn’t hard and fast. “Give or take, some people may move faster, some people may move slower than that,” Recinos acknowledges. “But at the end of the day, what matters the most is that you guys can communicate that to each other, whatever your needs are, whatever your timing may be. Get out of your comfort zone and learn to have those tough conversations.” Indeed, the video’s comments aren’t in unanimous agreement, proving that this is far from science. But what it will do is give you a clear goal and timeframe to assess if you think the relationship is still worth pursuing. And hot tip: If he has fantasy football commissioner energy, the answer is, hell yes.
