13 Things That Happen When Your Relationship Passes 3 Months

Are you approaching the 3-month mark?

A man and woman are standing together outdoors, smiling and laughing. The man wears glasses and a striped shirt, gently wrapping his arm around the woman's shoulder. The woman, in a white shirt, looks up at him fondly. They are near a glass wall.

If you’ve just hit, or are about to hit, the 3-month mark in your relationship, it’s natural to feel a little bit nervous.

We’ve all heard about the 3-month itch, but don’t worry – your relationship is far from doomed! Sure, a few things might change, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Here are 13 things to look out for and expect as you cross that 3-month mark with your partner…

1. It suddenly feels real.

A couple facing each other smiles warmly against a softly lit outdoor backdrop at sunset. The woman has long brown hair and wears a red coat, while the man has glasses and wears a white scarf. Their expressions convey warmth and affection.

It might start to really sink in that you’re properly with someone. The first few months of a relationship can go by very quickly, and it’s not until you reach a ‘milestone’ that you realize just how long you’ve been together.

2. You bicker or argue more.

A woman and a man are sitting on a couch, engaged in a serious conversation. The woman is gesturing with her hand raised, while the man looks at her attentively. They are in a cozy living room with shelves and a lamp in the background.

The more you get used to each other and let your guards down, the more likely you are to bicker.

This is totally normal – after all, you argue with your close friends and family. It’s a sign that you’re comfortable with each other.

You know you both like each other, so a small argument over something silly isn’t going to rock the boat. You’re at the stage where you no longer need to be scared that something small is going to push them away.

3. You panic.

A man and a woman are sitting at a table in a cafe, having a conversation. The woman is wearing a purple sweater, and the man is wearing an orange sweater. There are glasses of water and a small vase with red flowers on the table.

It’s common to have a little commitment-related freakout when you hit the 3-month mark.

It’s a reminder that you’re in a relationship, and however much you like the other person, you might suddenly feel a bit trapped or anxious, even wondering if you should end things and date other people.

This tends to be a brief panic for most people, and it’s normal to feel this way. If it lingers in your mind a lot and you start to really look for an escape, you might need to have a serious think about how you feel.

4. You feel closer than ever.

A couple sitting on a couch, smiling and sharing a bowl of popcorn. The woman is wearing a yellow shirt and blue patterned pants, while the man is wearing a mustard yellow shirt. They are enjoying a relaxed moment together in a cozy setting.

Of course, if things are going well, your bond is probably going to be at its strongest right now.

You’re 3 months in, so you’re likely to be spending lots more time together and you’ll both be playing bigger roles in each other’s lives.

You’re involved in a lot more and plan your time around each other more than you ever used to before.

5. You can finally start to relax.

A woman in a plaid shirt sits at a cafe table by a window, smiling as she looks at her smartphone. On the table are a teal teapot, a glass of water, and a white cup. Sunlight filters through the window, creating a warm ambiance.

This is such a great benefit of hitting 3 months into your relationship. No more games, no more worrying why they’re not replying to your text straight away. You both obviously like each other and can relax knowing you’re both on the same page.

6. Your true selves come out.

A woman with glasses, wearing a light brown sweater, sips from a white cup. A bearded man, partially visible in the foreground, also holds a white cup. The background is blurred with green plants and shelves. They appear to be in a cozy, casual setting.

This can be a blessing and a curse.

Most people are on their best behavior when they first start dating someone. They want to make a good impression so they make an effort, keep their house nice and clean for when you come over, and have great table manners.

As times goes on, you get more comfortable with each other – and that best behavior might start to slip.

You might notice annoying habits they’ve kept secret, or they might tell you things they didn’t want you to know before.

While it might be a bit daunting, and even disappointing, to realize that your once-pristine partner is actually a huge slob, try to see it as a positive that they feel comfortable and secure enough to really, truly be themselves around you.

7. You might drop those three little words.

A couple wearing denim shirts are sharing an intimate moment, with their foreheads touching and smiling warmly at each other. The woman has her arms around the man's neck while he gently holds her.

If you haven’t already, you might now be thinking about saying “I love you” at the 3-month relationship mark.

Of course, every relationship moves at its own pace and you shouldn’t rush into anything you’re not happy with.

That being said, a lot of people feel like once they’ve been together for a few months, they know the other person well enough to say those three words – and they know you well enough to know what your response will be…

8. You’re a fully-fledged couple now.

A smiling couple stands outside in a sunny area with palm trees and a parked bicycle in the background. The woman wears a red floral dress, and the man is dressed in a light beige shirt. They are embracing and looking at each other.

You’ll start to notice you use the words ‘us’ and ‘we’ all the time now. You’re a proper couple and you do a lot more together – people know you as a couple, you hang out with other couple friends and you’re a full-on ‘us’.

9. Your physical intimacy changes.

A man is sleeping peacefully on a bed while a woman next to him looks frustrated and covers her ears with a pillow. The woman appears to be disturbed, possibly by noise, as she looks upset. The scene is set in a well-lit bedroom with white bedding.

This is completely normal and shouldn’t be any cause for concern. Once you’re comfortable with a partner and regularly spend time together, one or both of you is likely to drop off a bit in terms of libido.

This could be because they’re confident they’re going to have regular sex so no longer feel the need to do it every time they get a chance.

It could also be because you’re more comfortable with each other and can enjoy just hanging out, rather than the earlier days of dating where sex was a way of expressing your feelings before you were comfortable actually discussing them.

10. The romance dwindles.

A woman and a man are sitting on a couch, both holding red mugs. The woman, on the left, is pointing a remote control towards the TV. Both appear to be watching something on the TV. A clock and some home decor are visible in the background.

Again, this is just something that tends to happen when couples get comfortable. You know that you’ll have a great time just chilling on the sofa together, so do you really need to make a big effort and go all out with a fancy restaurant dinner?

The more you enjoy just being with each other, the less effort you’ll feel the need to make.

Of course, it’s great if you still want to make each other feel wined and dined, and make each other feel special and desired, but don’t be alarmed if you’re suddenly on the sofa in your trackies eating pizza and talking absolute nonsense.

11. Your lives are more integrated.

A group of four elderly friends, two men and two women, smile and laugh while looking at a smartphone outdoors. One woman holds a pink water bottle. They are casually dressed and standing on a sunny day with trees in the background.

You might have noticed that you spend more time as a couple with friends than you used to.

When you first start dating, you’re trying to figure out how you might fit into each other’s lives. When you hit the 3-month mark, you’re likely to have met their friends and maybe even family, you’ve figured out which hobbies you can share with each other and your lives merge much more.

12. You let your guard down.

An older man with a gray beard sits with his head in his hands, looking distressed. An older woman with long blonde hair, wearing a white blouse, sits beside him with a concerned expression. The background is neutral and out of focus.

Once you’ve been with your partner for 3 months, you know each other pretty well. As such, you’re more likely to let your guard down, share your feelings, and open up about things that really matter to you.

This can really help strengthen your relationship and will help your partner open up to you more too.

You’ll find yourselves sharing deeper emotions, secrets, and insecurities as you grow closer.

13. Your wild some comes out.

A young woman with curly hair, wearing a red sweatshirt and layered necklaces, smiles brightly at the camera. She stands outdoors near water with a bridge and greenery in the background. A part of another person is visible behind her.