What is 'Textationship' and everything you need to know about it

After 'Benching', Stack Dating', 'Love Bombing', and a plethora of other Gen Z dating terms, we explore 'Textationship'. Some say, it is a birthchild of the pandemic while some label it as the precursor of a 'Situationship', but in simple terms, it is a relationship that is entirely premised on texting with negligible to no zero in-person interaction.

A 'Textationship' usually starts off through social media or dating apps and persists at that stage without moving forward or meeting, as it would suggest emotional involvement or physical intimacy. People usually refuse to take things forward because they find a sense of solace in sharing their intimate thoughts, feelings, and occasional banter online rather than developing the courage or putting in the effort to see someone in person (Yes, it is the new 'no strings attached').

Here are a few signs that you are in a 'Textationship'

You have deep, prolonged conversations on text.

The most important part of a 'Textationship' is (obviously) constant texting. Your conversations with the person are interesting and refreshing. You have a bond with them strong enough to confide in them about your daily routine, thoughts, and fears, creating a strong emotional connection.

No frequent phone calls

Even though you text the entire day, you’ve barely heard their voice on calls or seen their face on video calls.

No effort to meet in person

There are no solid discussions regarding an in-person meeting or even when there is, the meetings are brief, infrequent, and lack physical intimacy.

Mixed signals on the nature of the relationship

There is no concrete conversation about defining the relationship. After regularly sharing conversations through texts, you are confused if the person is interested in you or if you’re just an escape from loneliness. You talk to this person about things that even your friends are unaware of, but there is no clarity as to where the relationship is going.

If you think you are in a 'Textationship' and don't want to continue being in one, here are some ways to deal with it:

Evaluate your feelings

Before expressing your feelings, try to ask yourself if it’s worth it. Lay out what you expect from a partner and if you think the person has the potential to fulfil it. Assess what truly drives you towards this person and if the person’s online personality matches with what they are in person. Often, people feel more comfortable online than they do offline, which tends to alter their personality. Try to navigate if you like the person for who they are or who they could be.

Schedule a conversation

If you find yourself spiraling about what the other person feels, try to be transparent. Organise your thoughts and schedule a call or have a conversation that gives you substantial clarity.

Give them a deadline

Be patient and give the person some time to process the conversation and their feelings. However, do not allow them to take the time for granted. Set a deadline for them to come back to you with their decision. If the person is not ready to offer what you expect, move on. You’re worth more than those texts.

While 'Textationship' can be more comforting for some people for many reasons, not everyone prefers that in the long term. It's important you understand what you want out of your relationships and then evaluate.