Navigating the maze of a man’s mind isn’t always easy.
There’s a journey he goes through before realizing he wants to be with someone, and understanding this process can be your secret weapon.
You see, it’s not just about whether he likes you or not.
It’s a series of stages, a progression of thoughts and feelings that ultimately lead to the big decision.
This article is about those 7 stages a man goes through before knowing he wants to be with you.
1) Initial attraction
Let’s start from the very beginning.
You catch his eye across the room, or maybe you’ve been friends for a while and something just clicks.
Either way, there’s that spark.
This is the initial attraction stage.
He’s intrigued by you.
There’s something about your smile, your laugh, or the way you carry yourself that he can’t ignore.
You’ve caught his attention and he’s definitely interested.
But remember, at this stage, it’s mostly about physical attraction.
He doesn’t know you well enough yet to decide if he wants to be with you long-term.
This stage is all about the thrill of the chase and the excitement of something new.
It’s only the first step in his journey to wanting to be with you.
But hey, it’s a pretty exciting place to start!
2) Getting to know you
So, he’s intrigued and now he wants to get to know you.
This is the stage where he starts to dig deeper.
I remember when I met my partner.
After the initial attraction, I wanted to know more about him.
We started spending more time together, talking about everything from our favorite movies to our deepest fears.
In this phase, he’s not just interested in your looks, but wants to understand your personality.
He listens attentively when you speak, laughs at your jokes, and asks about your day.
He’s curious about your thoughts and feelings, your likes and dislikes.
You see, in his mind, he’s trying to picture a future with you.
He’s evaluating whether you’re someone he can see himself with long-term.
If he likes what he discovers during this stage, it’s a good sign that he’s moving towards wanting a more serious relationship with you.
3) Emotional connection
At this stage, things start to get a little deeper.
He’s not just interested in knowing about you, he’s beginning to feel emotionally connected to you.
Oxytocin, often referred to as the ‘love hormone’, plays a crucial role in bonding and building emotional connections.
This hormone is released when we hug or kiss a loved one, and it makes us feel more emotionally attached.
When a man starts to feel emotionally connected to you, he’s more likely to confide in you, be more open about his feelings, and show a softer side of himself that he might not show to just anyone.
This stage is pivotal because it’s when he starts to care about your feelings as much as his own.
He empathizes with your struggles and celebrates your achievements.
If he’s reached this stage, he’s well on his way to knowing he wants to be with you.
4) Seeing a future
Now things are getting serious.
He’s past the stage of simply enjoying your company.
He’s starting to envision a future with you.
This is often where daydreams come into play.
He’ll start imagining holidays together, meeting each other’s families, and maybe even growing old together.
You’ll notice it in the way he talks about the future. It won’t just be about his plans anymore, but ‘our’ plans.
He’ll start including you in his long-term vision, whether that’s moving cities, buying a house or just planning for the next vacation.
This stage is a huge step forward and a definite sign that he’s considering making the relationship more permanent.
Trust me, he wouldn’t be picturing a future with you unless he was serious about wanting to be with you.
5) Accepting flaws
This is the stage where he sees you, warts and all, and still wants to be with you.
I’ll admit, I was scared when I reached this stage with my partner.
I saw his flaws, his insecurities, his bad habits – and it was a bit overwhelming.
But then I realized, I had my fair share of flaws too.
Yet, there was something beautiful about that honesty.
Seeing him at her worst and still wanting to be with him made me realize just how much I truly cared.
In this phase, he’s not just putting up with your flaws – he’s accepting them.
He understands that nobody’s perfect, including himself.
He may even find some of your quirks endearing.
Whether you snort when you laugh or can’t cook to save your life, he still wants to be with you because those are the things that make you unique.
6) Making sacrifices
When a man is willing to make sacrifices for you, it’s a strong indication that he’s reached the stage where he knows he wants to be with you.
It could be something as simple as choosing to watch your favorite movie instead of his, or as significant as moving cities for your job opportunity.
Sacrifices show that he values the relationship over his individual desires.
He’s willing to compromise and make decisions that benefit both of you.
This stage is all about prioritizing ‘us’ over ‘me’.
It’s a big step, but one that’s essential in any meaningful relationship.
And when he gets to this point, it’s a sure sign he’s serious about wanting to be with you.
7) Expressing love
This is it, the final stage.
He’s not only realized that he wants to be with you, but he’s also ready to express it.
It may not always be a grand declaration of love.
Sometimes, it’s in the little things – the way he looks at you, how he treats you, or even a simple “I love you”.
But every man expresses love differently.
For some, it’s through words.
For others, it’s through actions.
So pay attention to the signs and trust your intuition.
When a man reaches this stage and is able to express his love for you, you can be certain that he knows he wants to be with you.
It’s the ultimate confirmation of his feelings and intentions.
It’s all about the journey
The path to love isn’t a straightforward one.
It’s a complex interplay of emotions, experiences, and decisions.
Each man’s journey is unique, shaped by his own experiences, upbringing, and personality.
But these seven stages provide a general roadmap that most men tend to follow before knowing they want to be with you.
It’s important to remember that each stage is just as important as the last.
Every phase, from initial attraction to expressing love, plays a crucial role in shaping his feelings and decision.
If you’re in the middle of this journey with a man, be patient.
Love isn’t something that can be rushed. Real, lasting love takes time to grow and mature.
So whether you’re at the start of this journey or nearing the end, cherish each moment.
Because ultimately, it’s not just about the destination, but the journey that leads you there.
And remember, every story is different – including yours.
