When a relationship is still fresh but we want to know where it’s going, it means it’s time to have the talk. Bringing up the topic of “what are we to each other” can be difficult and pretty stressful for most people. That’s why we’ve gathered five helpful pointers that were shared by therapists to help make this conversation easier to bring up and get through!

Pick the Right Time for “The Talk”

A licensed family and marriage therapist in LA, Rebecca Hendrix, says that it’s time to have “the talk” when you can’t get the question out of your head and it’s beginning to cause you relationship anxiety. However, starting up the conversation too soon, for example, if you’ve only been on a few dates, could seem pushy and might not yield good results. Timing is important!

Have the Conversation In Person

Although it seems easier to have a difficult conversation such as “what are we” over the phone or via messages, this is something best done in person. Talking face to face is much more personal and it minimizes the chances of either party’s tone or words being misinterpreted.

Avoid Phrases Like “We Need to Talk”

Relationship and dating coach from LA, Lisa Shields, warns about using such stress-inducing phrases. Starting up any type of conversation with “we need to talk” will immediately cause the other person to panic. This definitely isn’t the proper mood to set when having the talk about where the relationship is going.

Keep the Tone Light

Dating expert and author of He’s Just Not Your Type (and That’s a Good Thing), Andrea Syrtash, says that the conversation shouldn’t be pressure-filled. Even though the topic might be serious, it doesn’t mean that the tone of the conversation has to be as well. Keeping the tone light and upbeat will keep both of you at ease and allow you to express your feelings and thoughts without stress or added anxiety caused by a serious tone.

Allow the Person Time to Think

It’s possible that the person you’re having the talk with won’t have an answer for you right away. Don’t let that cause you concern! Be confident enough to give them the time they need to properly think things through so that they can make a decision they’re honestly comfortable with. When you feel enough time has passed, you can casually ask if they’ve had a moment to think about what you spoke of the other day.

Forbes recently released its ranking of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women and there are some interesting surprises. The business magazine’s list includes CEOs, politicians, entrepreneurs, media personalities, philanthropists, and artists – three of which are Beyonce, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift.

Rihanna Was Named a National Hero

The Barbadian singer came in at No. 68, and her highlights focus on her billionaire status, which is mostly due to her highly successful cosmetics line Fenty Beauty. Riri’s company, which she co-owns in partnership with luxury retailer LVMH, generated more than $550 million in revenue in 2020. At the time of the ranking, Rihanna’s net worth was estimated at a staggering $1.7 billion. Her place in Forbes’ list comes on the heels of her nomination as a National Hero in her native Barbados.

Beyonce’s Tour Was an Immense Success

Queen B was ranked No. 76. The business magazine applauded her 2018 On The Run II tour, which managed to rake roughly $5 million per night. In total, the tour generated more than $250 million in revenue. In addition, Beyonce recently launched her fifth collaboration with German sports manufacturer Adidas, a limited collection dubbed “Halls of Ivy.”

Swift Ended The Years With a Bang

At No. 78, Forbes ranked singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. The 32-year-old American artist has appeared on the magazine’s list on several occasions since she stepped under the limelight. In November, she released a re-recording of her fourth album “Red.” Her 10-minute version of “All Too Well” reached the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 U.S. chart, becoming the longest song to attain that position. Her re-recording was also nominated for a GRAMMY in the Album of the Year category.

Unsurprisingly, Oprah Winfrey was the highest-ranked woman on the list at No. 23. Other notable women to have made Forbes’ ranking are Shari Redstone, Dana Walden, Reese Witherspoon, Serena Williams, Ann Sarnoff, etc.