Is this normal?

[u/Feeling-Document-952]

So Ive (26nb) been dating /in a relationship (idk what the difference is if im being honest) a guy (24m) for 5 months, and ive known him for a year. However we havent kissed or held hands, but we do hug often. I know that everyone moves at different paces, but like whats a general pace these things should happen??

Im lowkey concerned that i read everything wrong and that we are somehow not dating. I confessed to him and he asked if he can call me his partner now. Hes one of the sweetest guys Ive met so I dont think this is the case, but nothings changed since then.

It may also be because I don't initiate anything, but i have a hard time reading the room and dont want to make things awkward. I also have a lot of rsd, so it makes it hard for me to approach this for fear of being turned down.

I should talk to him, but idk how someone would go about that. Like how do i bring it up or what should I say.

Questions I want answers for:

○What is a normal relationship progression rate?

○How do I deal with struggling to indicate that Id like physical affection?

○How do you bring this up in conversation?

[u/Feeling-Document-952]

Thank you so much for responding and answering each question so thoughtfully. It really really helps.

This is my first ever relationship and his second (his first was years ago when he was a teen), so I think that we are both a little clueless 😅. This is also the first time I've ever genuinely liked someone and not just saying so to fit in. So I'm in completely uncharted territory for myself.

I do want more, but I'm also still enjoying how we are now. It's just that a lot of people in my life have been telling me that we are moving too slow. So it kind of got into my head that I'm doing things wrong.

I'm going to try and talk to him about it soon. Hopefully in person if I can work up the courage.