innocentmind

I've managed to map out a trajectory of phases I experience at the beginning of every relationship.

1 - discomfort from unfamiliarity phase (painful getting acquainted and accustomed to newness)
2 - euphoric novelty of desired person phase (dopamine heaven)
3 - loss of singleness crisis phase ("Why should I do this and be with you?" type questioning after dopamine has returned to normal. Partially irrational.)
4 - blissful stability (indefinite if I'm with someone good for me)

I'm currently in 3 but feel myself moving out of it. With most people I date, I don't get through 3 and end up splitting up with him. As I've gotten older, the amount of time this takes has shortened (a couple weeks to a month, depending on how difficult the person is to read). But, if I'm through 3, we're golden.

Whoever I'm with had better appreciate how analytical I am...But I know when not to bring it out so as not to ruin special moments, of course.