In the past, there were a handful of terms to explain the relationship status between you and a new-found love interest:
- 'We're seeing each other.'
- 'We're dating.'
- 'We're just sleeping together.'
- 'We're good friends.'
- 'He's my boyfriend/she's my girlfriend.'
- 'We don't really believe in labels.'
But in 2016, the dating field has dramatically changed (thanks Tinder) and with it was ushered in a lexicon minefield.
You only have to look at celebrity relationships to see that the rules of dating have changed.
Are Drake and Riri actually together?
Were Brooklyn Beckham and Chloe Moretz's ever really in love?
As a result, we've rounded up the seven new ways to date so the next time someone asks for your relationship status, you don't say: 'It's complicated':
1. 'Full-on dating'
Explanation: You're going on dates and you don't mind informing the world you like each other, but your parents think you're just good friends.
Example: Drake and Rihanna.
Cast your mind back to August and you'll remember that Drake announced his undying love for Rihanna and finally confirmed the pair were an item.
Well, we think he did anyway – it's hard to tell.
'She's someone I've been in love with since I was 22-years-old. She's one of my best friends in the world,' he gushed, before smooching the Barbados-born singer.
Since then, the pair have been spotted sneaking out of clubs, going back to the same hotel and eating at restaurants together.
However, Drake's Dad later revealed that the pair were just 'friends'.
Like friends who have sleepovers then…
2. 'T.Swizzling with the Hizzling' (official terminology)
Explanation: You keep telling your friends your new relationship is the 'real deal' but you secretly know you've rushed into it too soon and decide to use the hype as a way to snub your ex.
Example: Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston
Earlier this summer, the world was in mourning following the death of Taylor Swift's relationship with Calvin Harris – one of Swift's few relationships we actually liked.
But, two weeks later, Tay Tay was spotted with Tom Hiddleston partaking in romantic beachside walks, trips to Rome and celebrating the 4th July together with the 'squad'. Hiddleston even dressed up in a 'I <3 T.S.' tank top, for crying out loud.
Three-months later, the pair split and everything in the world made sense again. Of course, not before it made Calvin really angry, with him tweeting: 'I figure if you're happy in your new relationship you should focus on that instead of trying to tear your ex bf down for something to do'.
3. 'Consciously Swifting'
Explanation: You've broken up with your ex but decide to find solace by posting several images on social media to show them how much fun you're having without them. You also start hanging out as a third wheel on your friends' dates, unaware you're making them feel awkward.
Example: Taylor Swift.
Post 'T.Swizzling with the Hizzling' phase often results in needing to 'consciously swift'.
This was seen perfectly in the actions of 26-year-old Taylor herself, whose post-break up phase involved posting multiple selfies with her supermodel-filled squad, sitting FROW to support her friend Gigi Hadid at NYFW and going out for dinner with Gigi and boyfriend Zayn Malik.
4. 'Power parting'
Explanation: Forget ghosting an ex – the best way to deal with a break-up/failing relationship is to figure out how you still remain friends.
Coined by American psychotehrapist and author Esther Perel, 'power parting' basically means you've finished the relationship but want to create some kind of relationship that doesn't involve romance... but could in the future.
Confusing? You bet.
Example: Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson
The couple's 10-year relationship split in July and subsequently saw Kruger traveling to Sri Lanka to get over her heartbreak. However, the pair have since been spotted several times out in public together and seem to be making the whole 'power parting' thing work, some how.
5. 'Insta-loving'
Explanation: 'If it's not on Instagram, did it really happen?' is one of my friends' favorite questions to describe the social-media obsessed world we live in.
For relationships, 'insta-love' involves sharing every moment of your romance online with your fans (*cough* followers) so they:
- Feel worse about their relationship/being single
- Are aware you're still in a relationship
- Become jealous of how you're not embarrassed to show off your love for each other.
Example: Chloe Moretz and Brooklyn Beckham
Despite rumours the pair might have parted ways, this summer we fell in-love with Moretz and Beckham's romance. They posted selfies together, praised each other's work, took candid snaps on the beach of one another.
Basically, they were smitten and didn't care who knew.
6. 'On/off-ers'
Explanation: You've dated for a bit but decided to call it quits. A few months later, you decide to try again but end up spitting up again due to work commitments, long distance, *insert plausible reason here*.
You repeat the cycle until one of you gets bored.
Example: Kendall Jenner and Harry Styles
The pair are notorious on/off-ers, having dated several times over the years.
Earlier this year, we finally thought they'd made a go of things when they were spotted canoodling on a yacht together in the Caribbean. But, it only took the pair a few weeks before they split again and Kendall was rumoured to be dating A$AP Rocky.
7. 'No-type' dater
Explanation: You live by the belief that 'love is love', attributed to anyone (or anything), regardless of their gender/sexual orientation.
Example: Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus.
Last year, Miley exclusively told ELLE she was a 'pansexual' ('I change my style every two weeks, let alone who I'm with') and this summer, Lady Gaga broke up with fiancé Taylor Kinney after five years together before admitting she was an 'equal-opportunities lover'.
So, now all you have to do is figure out which relationship status suits you.
Good luck!
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
