Our generation has come up with this universal social contract/“getting to know you” phase of relationships that is actually some type of nerve raking torture. The “talking” phase.

It’s a period of overanalyzing, overthinking, and awkward uncertainty. Two people express interest in each other, but they aren’t exclusive but anyone else is hands off, including yourself. One minute, everything’s great. He/She is texting you back, you’re procrastinating your homework because finding out if they consider your relationship “talking” is far more important than school. Then BAM. Out of nowhere, you’re deciphering texts like an AP analytical essay, looking for any possibility that he/she may have the same feelings as you have. We make this way harder and way more stressful on ourselves than it should be.

Do you honestly think “talking” was a thing 30 years ago? If you do, try explaining to your parents what your relationship status is with your significant other, who feeds you enough flattery comments to keep you feeling exclusive, but still has his/her ex as his Snapchat best friend. What’s the point of “talking” anyway?

There’s no gauge for how long it will last. Talking shouldn’t last longer than two months. Get to know the person, find out if your kids would be cute, and make it official. When something does go wrong and your future love life you fantasized about is ruined before it started, at least you didn’t waste too much of your precious time & suffer from a heartbreak.

The “talking” stage changes teens into personal stalkers. “Why would he like my Instagram pic but not text me back? What is she doing? Why did he favorite her tweet? She’s probably with a boy! Wait.. I have no service maybe he texted me?” When in reality, he/she didn’t let the talking stage get the best of them & they were actually studying for school.