You like him. He says he likes you too and claims you as his main chick. However, he says not ready to settle down completely and just needs more time to make a full commitment. She plays the part of your girlfriend, but isn’t willing to accept the title just yet. You keep playing your role hoping that she will come around eventually.

Is this you? If so, you could be in a full blown situationship. According to the infamous Urban Dictionary, a situationship is a problematic relationship characterized by one or more unresolved, interpersonal conflicts; usually confused with dating. If you find yourself currently in a situationship, I have two words of advice for you. Get out! This facade of a relationship is not healthy for either parties involved. If you two are together but not “together”, there is a disconnect somewhere and communication is much needed. There is nothing to be gained after you’ve given someone your all as if they were yours, only to end up alone because you were never together in the first place. Confusing, right? That’s all situationships are; one person basically being strung along by another, with an array of meaningless feelings and emotions.

No one wants to be in love by themselves. The best thing you can do to avoid a situationship is to express your intent to your partner at the very beginning of the relationship. Make sure the two of you are not only in the same book, but also on the same page. Just like creating an online account, be certain that you both agree to the terms and conditions before you sign up. This way, a level of understanding is established, and nobody gets hurt.

THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN FOR THE RELATIONSHIP GOALS COLUMN FOR N’VISIONED MAGAZINE.