What To Expect In A Six-Month Relationship: How Close Will You And Your Partner Be?

Many of us yearn for a long-term, committed relationship. You may not know what milestones to expect as a relationship progresses naturally over time. While every relationship is unique and there is no single, clear-cut timeline to follow, in this article we’ll explore a few things that may happen after a couple has been together for six months.

What to expect after six months: Milestones, issues, and topics that may come up

Everyone is going to define a long term relationship differently. Some people may only consider a relationship long term if it lasts a certain number of months while others may not consider the relationship long-term after a particular month anniversary, but rather a year or more. That being said, there are certain milestones you can begin to see during the first six months of a relationship that might set it apart from shorter, more casual dating.

After six months together, you and your partner will likely have a solid number of memories together. You and your partner have gone through different stages of dating. You’ve likely watched movies together, have had meals together many times, and you may have met at least part of each other’s friends or family. Maybe, you’ve gone camping out in nature together, have been on a road trip or two, or have been on other adventures with one another. You’re likely growing more comfortable with your partner by the day, and you’re starting to see the little quirks that you might not have seen before.

At the six-month point, you have also probably overcome many hurdles. Even in the healthiest relationships, there can be challenges. You have probably learned a lot about your strengths and weaknesses in the relationship. You see how you click, and what gets on the other person’s nerves. At the six-month mark, you can take a look at your partnership, and evaluate if any factors can be improved. 

Below are a few things that may happen during these six months:

Whether or not you’ve met their friends and family 

One thing to take inventory of at the six-month mark of a relationship is if you’ve met your partner’s family and friends or not. If you two are in a situation where it would be difficult to meet each other’s friends or family for some reason, that is one thing, but if your partner seems to be hiding you from all of their friends and family, that is not a good sign. In a healthy relationship, you typically want to introduce this person you love to people who are significant in your life. If you haven’t met your partner’s friends or family and it would be reasonable to do so, that may be concerning. 

Additionally, pay attention to how your partner introduces you. If you are in a relationship, you likely want them to feel proud to show you off and call you their significant other. While there is no month milestone specifically for titles, If there are any signs that your partner is trying to pass you off as “just a friend” or keep the relationship concealed, that can be a red flag. 

If you’re truly compatible 

Is there a lingering feeling that you and your partner aren’t truly compatible? If so, it’s crucial to explore why that is and if it’s something that can be resolved. Compatibility doesn’t mean that everything about you is the same; it means that your major goals fit together and that you have a healthy connection, whatever that means for you. Disparities between you and your partner when it comes to the big things you want in life, such as having children and raising a family, are something that you likely want to address at the six-month mark in a relationship. For example, if it bothers you that you’ve always wanted kids and your partner is adamant that they don’t, it’s probably time to have a conversation. It doesn’t mean that either one of you needs convincing or changing; it’s okay that you want to have kids, and it’s okay that your partner doesn’t. It’s just something to keep in mind if you’re in it for the long haul. If you have a dealbreaker and that dealbreaker comes up, it’s something to consider and start a conversation about at the very least.

In contrast, you may know that you are very compatible and things are going well if you get along well with your partner, love spending time together, and express love for each other in the love language of your choice. The relationship is going smoothly, and you are looking forward to more milestones ahead together. 

Handling disagreements

All couples will disagree from time to time. You are different people, and as a result, you’ll have different opinions at some point. As long as you love each other, respect each other’s opinions, and work together well, you don’t have to be the same.  

What it comes down to is how you argue and how you resolve those disagreements. Do you both feel heard after a disagreement is over? Can you talk it through in a levelheaded manner and take a breather if you need to? Are you able to compromise? Do both of you feel respected? If you find that you can’t work through your problems healthily, or if you feel misunderstood and frequent arguments are causing you stress, one option is to go to couples therapy. 

Considering if the relationship is for the long-term

After six months, you probably know your partner fairly well. You may be confident with the progress you are making in your relationship, and you have likely had a taste of both the ups and downs of the relationship. You have likely seen how you two handle conflict, how you love and support each other, and how you manage difficult situations together. At this point, many couples may want to discuss where the relationship is headed and ensure that both people are on the same page regarding the future. When it comes to the future, it may be helpful for each person to reflect on this on their own and then discuss it together. 

How couples counseling can help

Whether you’re in a six-month relationship or one that’s been going on for much longer, a couples therapist can help you find ways to strengthen your connection. They can help you work through conflicts, improve communication skills, and identify relationship goals.  

If you’re in the first few months of a relationship, you may have a lot of thoughts and concerns popping up at random times—wondering if it’s too soon to introduce your partner to family or struggling with the first big fight you had. With online therapy through Regain, you can reach out to your therapist at any time using in-app messaging, and they will respond as soon as they can. 

And a growing body of research has demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy for relationship concerns. For instance, one such study examined the efficacy of a behavioral couples therapy program conducted through videoconferencing, and it found that “the results indicated improvements in relationship satisfaction, mental health, and all other outcome scores over time.”

Counselor reviews

“Sessions with Natalie are very insightful and give practical advice on implementing new habits and changes. Be prepared to engage and be challenged to think in a different way. I know that my partner and I can already see improvements in our relationship and feel more positive about working through our issues together.”

“With Cassandra’s help, we’ve been able to bring our relationship to a new, healthier, and much happier level, working through painful situations, growing as individuals and as a couple, and with tools to stay on this path. She’s very responsive, and it has been great to have her facilitate our messaging through the app all week. I highly recommend Cassandra. She’s skilled, supportive, and down-to-earth. We feel totally comfortable with her.”

Takeaway

If you have been in your relationship for about six months, you may be wondering what to expect at this point. While every relationship is unique, you can consider some of the thoughts above about what may happen in a relationship throughout this time together. If you would like support in your relationship, you and your partner can connect with a relationship counselor online.