A fling is a word from the casual dating branch of dating which involves being a short-term romantic relationship. Word fling may sound like this relationship is like a one-night stand, but this is not the case in a fling. In this article, we will understand, what is a fling, its motivations, and impacts, and why it is so different from a traditional romantic relationship.
What is a Fling
By definition fling means temporary. Fling relationships don’t target long-term investments and commitments or the future. This can be found similar to the concept of friends-with-benefits and yes, it is somewhat similar except, there is no time limitation to the concept of friends-with-benefits whereas fling is always a short-term relationship.
If a regular relationship is a diesel engine that is steady, burns slowly, and for a longer period of time-limited power as compared to a rocket, then fling is a rocket engine that uses all its powers within seconds. Yes, a fling is a short-term intense relationship without any commitment to the future. Both parties enjoy this commitment-free nature of a relationship, which doesn’t have any obligations or commitments. There is an unwritten, implicit, or explicit agreement between both parties that this relationship has to be a fling.
The background of the fling is situational wherein there is a short-term opportunity to have a short-term relationship without any future commitments such as office trips, or social gatherings. It is like the movie Blue Lagoon or Passengers where in both cases partners were stranded in a space spaceship etc.
Why People Choose Fling
People choose flings for a variety of reasons, one of them being adventure and exploration, let’s find out more reasons,
Exploration and Freedom: Fling allows short-term couples to experience something new relationship without any commitment to the future and present. This freedom is appealing to some individuals who seek or trying to do something new or adventurous. This is like discovering themselves via this unconventional route, which is a win-win situation for involved partners.
Relaxation: Everyone has their own problems in life, or has existing relationship issues. Which is an unavoidable routine for many people. These people given a chance will never hesitate to try and break from a daily struggle for a shorter period of time.
Readiness for Commitment: Some individuals are not ready for commitments in relationships. Such as students, people who are already married and committed, and people who do not want to start a relationship but want to experience it are the individuals who are willing to fall for this scheme which provides partner and intimacy without any relationship.
Advantages And Dis-Advantages of The Fling
Every relationship has Advantages and disadvantages of its own, let’s find out for a fling.
A fling can bring joy for obvious reasons due to physical intimacy without any commitment or any committed relationships.
Fling can help explore relationships, and desires without any commitment.
Can provide temporary relaxation for people who are going through rough patches in their lives.
There is a risk of falling in love, unlike the movie Friends-with-benefits where they decided to keep it casual but with time they started to take it seriously. Falling in love can lead to commitments and commitments can lead to some heavy headaches, especially for one who is not ready for relationships in the first place.
Society can judge as some people may find fling as an immoral concept, which can lead to shame for the involved couple.
Misunderstanding can happen if terms are not discussed prior to starting a relationship and one of the partners starts to take things seriously, which can lead to heartbreak.
Fling vs Actual Relationship
Fling is a short-term relationship whereas actual relationships require planning, commitments mutual understanding, shared goals, etc.
Fling vs One-Night Stand
As discussed earlier a one-nightstand is a single encounter where whereas a fling does not have such limitations, however, it is not unlimited as well, I mean a fling can last for days or months and a one-night stand can last for one day only.
Fling vs Open Relationship
Fling is an independent concept, whereas an open relationship is a mutually agreed-upon relationship in which both partners mutually accept to have another relationship outside their actual relationship.
Impacts of Fling
Flings are carefree but they involve consequences for those who are involved,
Fling can bring joy, increase self-confidence and self-esteem, help you experience a relationship from an alternate angle, and discover whether your expectations of a partner are flawed. However, flings can negatively impact too, if one of the partners starts taking this casual thing to a serious thing. Partners can feel guilt too if they are already in another relationship.
Precautions to Take in Fling
Open Communication: Both parties should openly communicate and discuss the limitations of the relationship and when to stop. Both partners should respect each other’s decision to quit and move on.
Conclusion: Fling is a part of casual dating yet there can be serious repercussions even if they bring joy and a sense of ultimate freedom. Both partners should have clarity and understanding from start to end to avoid any complications. However, at the same time fling can be a meaningful chapter in your life if you set aside morality and immorality for a few days or months.
