Why It's Better to Go for Friendship Before Love

In the world of dating, people make a lot of ruckus about friendship.

Some abhor the thought, not wanting to be reminded of the dreaded friendzone. Others are perfectly fine with it, even often preferring the pleasures of friendship over the pains of love. Both sides are valid.

A third path to tread on regarding the topic is why friendship before love makes the most sense. For those on the fence about it, preferring to jump directly into the throes of passion or not at all, here are a few valid reasons that will hopefully change your mind:

It's a Slow, Safe Start

When there is an abundance of attraction, the temptation to get right down to the business of love can be irresistible. That'll make for a good story, especially if the relationship lasts, but a whirlwind romance also comes with clear disadvantages.

The advantage that comes with being friends first is safety. After all, what could be safer than biding your time and gathering as much knowledge about a potential partner as possible? If the relationship even starts at all, you can rest easy knowing it's built on stable ground.

Easy Development of Comfort

When things are safe and stable, comfort comes next. This is why so many people prefer friendship: it's easier and far more comfortable than the ups and downs of romance. Couples who start out as friends tend to be more comfortable with each other, which has its own perks.

One such perk? Increased authenticity. When involved in a new partner, people don't always show all sides of themselves from the get go, preferring to have their partner see only the best of them. When you're friends first, being fully yourself in their presence is easier.

Early Enhancement of Communication

People love confiding in their closest friends almost as much as they do with their partners. To have someone who plays both roles of close friend and partner makes being honest in their communication much easier, too.

The best thing about this is, the enhancement of honest communication can begin as soon as the friendship starts. Without any ulterior motives, such as winning them over as romantic partners or keeping up an image, people can speak freely, honestly, and—most importantly—effectively.

Early Discovery of Overall Compatibility

To say that compatibility is important would be an understatement. Couples need to have compatible personalities, lifestyles, values, and goals to be able to go the distance. And guess what? Discovering compatibility earlier is another great boon for those who cultivate friendship first.

Although friendships don't require as much compatibility as romantic relationships, it still needs a certain level of it in order to function. Those who start out as friends can determine their shared personality traits, lifestyles, values, and goals earlier, and in a circumstance that comes with far less pressure.

Friendship before love may sound like something out of a hallmark TV special for some people nowadays. Yet, as outlined above, there are a lot of reasons why going down this path is better than diving headfirst into a relationship or eschewing it altogether.

Slow as it may seem, remember that slow and steady wins the race.