We're so caught up in the thrill of meeting someone new that we can't even step back and process what's going on.

我們沉浸在與新朋友相識的喜悅中，甚至無法退後一步來處理髮生的事情。

Although we might feel lost in this whirlwind of emotions, our relationships usually stick to a pretty common formula.

儘管我們可能會在這股情感旋風中感到迷失，但我們的人際關係通常都遵循著一個相當常見的公式。

Here are a few stages that almost all relationships will follow.

以下是幾乎所有關係都會經歷的幾個階段。

The first stage, Attraction.

第一階段，吸引。

Our relationships first begin when we set eyes on our new partner.

當我們看到新伴侶時，我們的關係就開始了。

Although we haven't started dating yet, we feel an undeniable pull towards this enchanting new person.

雖然我們還沒有開始約會，但我們對這個迷人的新人有一種不可否認的吸引力。

At this point, you might walk up and introduce yourself.

這時，你可以走上前去自我介紹。

Who knows, you might even start flirting, dropping a compliment here and there.

誰知道呢，說不定你還會開始調情，時不時地恭維幾句。

And in 2019, this initial stage might not even take place in person.

而在 2019 年，這一初始階段甚至可能不會親自進行。

Many people meet someone new on social media or through a dating app.

很多人都是通過社交媒體或交友軟件認識新朋友的。

The second stage, Learning more about them.

第二階段，進一步瞭解他們。

Once we're attracted to someone, we usually feel a desire to learn more about them.

一旦我們被某個人吸引，通常就會有一種想要進一步瞭解他的慾望。

Sometimes we discover more about this person through conversation, and sometimes we learn more about them after checking out their social media profiles.

有時，我們會通過交談發現這個人的更多資訊，有時，我們會通過查看他們的社交媒體資料瞭解他們的更多資訊。

Better yet, we might even ask mutual friends for more juicy details about this new person.

更好的辦法是，我們甚至可以向共同的朋友打聽關於這個新人的更多細節。

All of this new information helps us decide whether or not they're a good fit.

所有這些新資訊都有助於我們決定他們是否合適。

The third stage, Building comfort and trust.

第三階段，建立舒適和信任。

In an article published by Oxford's Department of Experimental Psychology, comfort and trust was identified as a major stage in all relationships.

在牛津大學實驗心理學系發表的一篇文章中，舒適和信任被認為是所有人際關係中的一個重要階段。

This is when both partners start to let their guards down, testing the waters to see if the relationship might be stable and sustainable in the future.

這時候，伴侶雙方都開始放鬆警惕，試探這段關係在未來是否會穩定和持久。

During this stage, it helps if partners are honest, non-violent, and forgiving.

在這一階段，如果合作伙伴能夠做到誠實、非暴力和寬容，就會有所幫助。

Interestingly, Oxford researchers stated that physical touch is incredibly effective when it comes to building trust.

有趣的是，牛津大學的研究人員指出，身體接觸對建立信任非常有效。

The fourth stage, Actually going on dates.

第四個階段，實際上是約會。

At this point, we go on dates regularly.

現在，我們經常約會。

In previous stages, we might have been a little unsure about our partners, but now we've settled into a comfortable rhythm of dating and consistently enjoying each other's company.

在之前的階段，我們可能會對自己的伴侶有些不確定，但現在我們已經進入了一種舒適的約會節奏，並始終享受著彼此的陪伴。

As we date more and more, both partners build a stronger connection based on mutual interests, trust, and attraction.

隨著我們約會的次數越來越多，雙方會在共同的興趣、信任和吸引力的基礎上建立起更牢固的聯繫。

By the end of this stage, we're comfortable with being vulnerable around them.

在這一階段結束時，我們已經能夠自如地在他們面前表現出脆弱的一面。

The fifth stage, Seduction.

第五階段，誘惑。

According to that same Oxford study, seduction is one of the final stages of a relationship.

根據牛津大學的同一項研究，誘惑是戀愛關係的最後階段之一。

This is where we truly open ourselves to the possibility of passionate intimacy.

在這裡，我們真正敞開心扉，享受激情親密的可能。

According to Oxford researchers, women need more time to develop this emotional connection when compared to men.

牛津大學的研究人員指出，與男性相比，女性需要更多的時間來建立這種情感聯繫。

When we reach this stage, we stop thinking of ourselves as singular beings.

到了這個階段，我們就不再把自己當作單一的存在。

Instead, we start to become one with our partners.

相反，我們開始與合作伙伴融為一體。

We feel their emotions and understand their experiences on a deeper level, as if they were our own.

我們能感受到他們的情感，更深層次地理解他們的經歷，就像我們自己的經歷一樣。

The sixth stage, The honeymoon phase.

第六階段，蜜月期。

Most of our viewers are probably familiar with this phase of a relationship.

我們的大多數觀眾可能都熟悉戀愛關係中的這個階段。

In the first six months or so, everything seems new in a relationship, and this could be explained by scientific studies.

在最初的六個月左右，戀愛關係中的一切似乎都是新的，這可以用科學研究來解釋。

Researchers tested nerve growth factors and cortisol levels of couples within the first few months of a relationship.

研究人員對戀愛最初幾個月內的情侶進行了神經生長因子和皮質醇水準測試。

These levels were very high, resulting in feelings of euphoria and reduced stress.

這些水準非常高，會讓人感到興奮，壓力也會減輕。

But when they tested those same levels 12 to 24 months later, the levels had returned to normal.

但是，當他們在 12 到 24 個月後檢測同樣的水準時，這些水準已經恢復正常。

This suggests that relationships are only truly tested after the honeymoon stage is over, and the physiological love cocktail has worn off.

這表明，只有在蜜月期結束，生理上的愛情雞尾酒消退之後，人際關係才會經受真正的考驗。

The seventh stage, The doubting phase.

第七階段，懷疑階段。

This is the make-or-break stage for relationships.

這是關係的成敗階段。

Doubts usually start to creep in after a few years, and making it this far is a real accomplishment.

通常在幾年後，懷疑就會悄然而至，能走到這一步確實是一項成就。

But the biggest hurdle is yet to come.

但最大的障礙還在後面。

You need to overcome all of these doubts if you want the relationship to succeed.

如果你想讓這段關係成功，就必須克服所有這些疑慮。

Partners might start worrying about the unknown future, their individual career paths and interests, and whether or not their partner fits into all of this.

伴侶們可能會開始擔心未知的未來、各自的職業道路和興趣，以及伴侶是否適合這一切。

If it's not meant to be, it'll become obvious during this stage.

如果不合適，在這個階段就會很明顯。

In this current age of social media, it's very easy to start comparing our own relationships to other perfect couples we see online.

在當前這個社交媒體時代，我們很容易開始將自己的關係與在網上看到的其他完美情侶進行比較。

This makes the stage of doubts even tougher to get through in 2019.

這使得 2019 年的疑慮階段更加難以度過。

Once you reach this stage, you're home free.

一旦到了這個階段，你就自由了。

After many, many years, you're completely and unconditionally in love with each other.

多年以後，你們完全無條件地愛上了對方。

You know each other better than any other person on earth, and you regularly find yourself predicting each other's actions and knowing what to say to comfort your partner during stressful times.

你們比世界上任何其他人都更瞭解對方，你們經常會發現自己能預測對方的行動，知道在緊張時刻該說什麼來安慰伴侶。

Most importantly, you don't take each other for granted.

最重要的是，你們不會把對方視為理所當然。

You're happy with the direction of the relationship, and you might even start building projects and creating things together.

你們對這段關係的發展方向感到滿意，甚至可能開始一起建造項目、創造事物。

Who knows?

誰知道呢？

Maybe a family?

也許是一個家庭？

Let us know if you agree with our eight stages of dating.

如果您同意我們的約會八階段，請告訴我們。

If we've left anything out, be sure to let us know in the comments below.

如果我們遺漏了什麼，請務必在下面的評論中告訴我們。

We'll see you next time.

我們下次再見。