Summer fling – sounds fun, doesn’t it? Of course, it does! Who doesn’t want a small, casual, short-term relationship with no commitments whatsoever?
Summer flings offer great opportunities to enjoy and have fun without the complexities of long-term relationships.
Summer flings can be fun, sexy, and romantic. They can sometimes turn out to be meaningful relationships too!
Are you intrigued by the idea? Let me tell you more.
Summer Fling Infographics
Summer fling meaning
Summary
Summer flings are the best thing you can ask for when you are in the mood for a quick romantic sizzle in your life. Short-lived and spontaneous – they are just perfect for a hassle-free relationship.
Flings are just short-term relationships that happen over a short period of time. It usually dies a natural death after the season is over!
It can last from Memorial Day to Labor Day or can even be just a “one-night stand”. It is very rare for a fling to turn into something serious.
Summer flings happen to be flings that start-and-end in summers. The partners part ways once the season is over. The fact that these romantic escapades are so short-lived is what makes them all the more fun!
Picture this… It is the summertime; the weather is warm and sunny; more people are out and about. Also, school is out for the summer break! Isn’t it the loveliest time to leave the house and have a little fun?
People tend to go on vacations and meet someone special in completely different countries or cities. New place, amazing weather, new people – everything just sets the mood for a quick and “steamy” romantic adventure.
Are summer flings worth it?
Summary
Summers flings are perfect if it is a “no strings attached” kind of relationship. Otherwise, it may call for trouble for one or both partners.
A summer fling is a super romantic idea. The balmy-breezy nights together, the sunny day trips, and the carefree attitude of it all might make you feel like this is just what you have craved all your life. You get to experience all the fun of a relationship without the responsibilities.
But that’s only possible if no one gets attached to the other. Or else it just might turn out to cause more trouble than you bargained for!
Signs you’re in a summer fling
Summer flings are noticeably different from serious relationships. But if you still aren’t really sure how to tell them apart, here is a list of 10 signs to tell you that it is a fling!
1. Neither of you wants to make this exclusive
Do you both want to enjoy all the perks of a relationship without the “drama”? If the answer is yes, then you probably are in a fling with each other.
None of you want to be declared exclusive. You just find the other person fun and want to make the most of it while the sparks last!
2. Every date is a spontaneous affair
You never plan something with each other in advance. You just catch up whenever you are in the mood for some fun.
You do not plan your calendar as per each other’s availability. You both prefer to go with the flow. It is the spontaneity that makes this affair such a “thing”!
3. You both go multiple days without any communication
Neither of you text or call each other every day like that in a normal relationship. You both can even go on for days or even weeks without even speaking to each other. You are never each other’s priorities.
This fling is sort of a secret affair. None of you ever feel the need to post anything on social media. You two together mean nothing to each other just yet, and there is just no reason to reveal anything to anyone at all.
5. You both still have profiles on dating sites
Yes, you have met someone. You both have fun with each other. But are you still “single” on those dating sites? Well, it’s because you both don’t see each other in a serious, committed relationship.
This affair exists just to satisfy your craving for romance without any expectations of commitment that tags along with any serious relationship. You still want to meet new people and keep your options open for any “potential partners”.
6. Neither of you have met each other’s families
This is one of the most obvious signs that you are in a summer fling. Neither of you feel the need to introduce each other to their families.
This relationship means nothing more than casual fun. You both try to keep your families out of it because you do not overcomplicate things.
7. You both always split the bill
It is completely normal to split the bill as a couple. But it does raise a red flag if you do not wish to even buy the cheapest drink for the person you’re dating this season.
It means you do not wish to invest your money in something you do not even know will last or not. So, you both prefer to split the bill and not burden your fling partner!
8. You almost never hang out by yourselves
You almost never spend quality time with each other. It is all about fun and frolic. You meet each other along with friends mostly; flirt away the whole time and then probably end the meeting with a little bit of “sexy time”.
You almost never get emotionally close to each other and prefer to keep everything casual and mess-free.
9. You never talk about the future
You meet up, have fun and then go back to your own lives. That’s about it! You never speak heart-to-heart with each other – let alone talk about the future of this relationship.
You both know at the back of your minds; this is not meant to last and the spark will fizz out once you both get busy with your lives.
10. Both of you don’t expect anything from each other
Neither of you expect anything more than fun from this relationship. It is not like a proper relationship where you would go beyond your capacity to impress the other one or look forward to some validation from them.
You both feel that it is a temporary thing and you just want to enjoy every bit of it while it lasts.
Signs your summer fling is more
Summer flings are supposed to exist just for the season. But sometimes, the partners may develop something deeper than just a casual affair that might just blossom into a beautiful relationship in the future.
Here are 5 ways to tell if this is just a fling or if there is something more to it.
1. You know there is something cooking
Summer flings tend to be casual, and people engage in flirting and casual sex. There’s nothing more to it than that.
If you tend to share personal stuff about each other and begin to genuinely care about each other, chances are pretty high that this little fling will see more than just one summer!
2. You’re emotionally connected
You know it’s something more than a fling when you want to spend more time with each other. Sex isn’t the only thing you engage in; you both strike up meaningful conversations and develop a fondness for each other.
3. You’re friends with each other’s friends
If you get invited to hang out with each other’s friends, you both are ready to take this fling to the next level.
People introduce you to their friends only when you are special to that person and vice versa. Friends’ opinions matter when it comes to someone special.
So, their validation is like a green signal that you are definitely “a thing” – and not just a fling (anymore).
4. You subconsciously feel exclusive with each other
When you effortlessly make each other feel comfortable, try to impress each other and even hold hands in public (without even noticing it) – you are most definitely more into each other than it actually seems.
You do not even respond to potential matches on dating sites and engage in more meaningful conversations than just casual flirting.
5. You have the “talk”
You often speak about the future together. Like, you plan a holiday together or go to a music festival next month or maybe even talk about how to carry on with this “friendship” (if you two live in different cities).
It might be a casual conversation, but you should try to read between the lines. The signs are subtle but definite!
Pros of Summer Fling
There’s nothing like the feeling of a new crush in your heart. Long walks on the beach, sharing ice cream cones, late-night skinny-dips, cuddling in bed with the air conditioner on full blast — what’s not to love?
There are a lot of reasons summer flings are so good, including…
1. It makes us enjoy the present
This is a time when you do not dwell in the past or worry about the future. You just want to live in the moment and soak up all the fun and romance this fling has to offer. You know this is just for a while and you want to make the most of it.
2. These fun memories last a lifetime
The feeling of butterflies in your stomach, the crazy times together, and the passion and romance – all add up to fun memories you will cherish for a long time!
3. Comes along with a few health benefits
Believe it or not, casual flings are good for your overall health. The joy, all that kissing, sex and lust help to reduce stress and improve our overall mental and physical health!
4. It might develop into an actual relationship
Who knows, right? Even if flings are casual “hook-ups” for a while, pretty temporary, it might happen that you actually meet “the one” and you two might actually fall in love and take this casual affair to the next level. We often get to hear about such experiences, don’t we?
5. Summer flings are so romantic
The weather is extra lovely during summer. It’s literally like you breathe in love and breathe out stress. From sunsets on the beach to skinny dips in the pool – you can do anything, and it always becomes oh-so-romantic!
Cons of Summer Fling
Every coin has two sides to it. So do these casual flings. On one hand, they can be super fun, and packed with excitement, and on the other hand, they can turn into a complete disaster. Let’s look at five ways how these flings can end up being the wrong thing for you.
1. Flings can distract you from your “mains”
In the haze of romance under the stars and cuddles in a sun lounger, it is natural to forget about your friends and family who might be out – making memories, just like you!
When the summer is over, you might realize that you could have been a part of all the fun they had and memories they created (of which you are usually a part!).
2. You might not be the only fling in their life
While a summer fling is supposed to involve no commitment, you may not want to share your hot hook-up with anyone else, either! But your casual partner may not see things that way and can have one or many flings simultaneously.
When there’s little trust and commitment, you cannot be totally sure that your short-term partner will not be sexually intimate with other people.
So, just to have a safe summer romance, be extra cautious and follow safe sex practices like using protection.
3. The person might be your biggest mistake
Even though summer flings are temporary; they are fast-paced. It might be all romantic initially, but the person might end up completely ignoring you within a couple of days. That is disrespectful. No one wants to be treated like “trash”.
This person might just end up to be the biggest mistake of your life and turn your happy summer fling into a sweaty nightmare!
4. It might end in a heartbreak
Let’s see, summers usually last for about 3 months, 90 days approximately. Yes, you might not really form a stable relationship by then, but you two might develop a connection with each other.
Unfortunately, if the other person is not at all into you and does not want to commit to you – it will definitely break your heart. So, it’s always a good idea to reflect on what you would do if things turn serious before you confess to your partner.
5. The memories may affect your future relationships
Short summer romances may lead you to compare every future partner to this one great summer fling. That would not be the ideal thing, you know.
A long-term partner cannot live up to the romantic ideal of someone you never faced tough times with.
How to have a summer fling?
Is there a way to ensure a perfect summer fling? Well, yes!
You just need to keep a few pointers in mind to make sure your summer romance doesn’t end up to be your worst nightmare!
1. Choose the correct partner
Always choose someone who isn’t already attached to you. Avoid your usual social groups like your friend and even their friend. Choose someone completely stranger to you.
If you are traveling, you’ll have plenty of options there. If you wish to spend your summer in your hometown, look for potential flings in a town nearby (on online dating websites).
No matter who you choose, be mindful of your safety (especially for girls). Always choose a familiar public place for your first date.
2. Do your homework
Before you narrow down your search to a particular person, get to know them a little – their likes and dislikes, their personality type and if they’re up for a casual relationship. If every criterion is a match – congratulations! You’ve found yourself a perfect fling partner.
If the person has a completely different personality from yours, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to be a little adventurous and step out of your own comfort zone. It would actually be a fun idea to date someone whose interests and lifestyle don’t match yours.
3. Watch out for non-verbal cues
Try to read the person’s body language. The non-verbal cues reveal a lot about how someone feels about you. Watch out for typically these few signs:
- Do their pupils dilate when they speak to you?
- Do they make eye contact with you more than anyone else around?
- Do they fidget while you are around?
- Do they often touch you in a friendly manner?
If the answers to all these questions are a “yes”, then this person is definitely interested in you. They would definitely be a perfect summer fling for you!
4. Have a direct approach
If you want to date this person, go ahead and ask them out. Keep in mind that summer flings last for a short period of time.
If you wait for them to make the first move, it might never even happen. So, be bold and initiate the conversation yourself. Explain to them that you find them attractive and would like to go out on a date with them.
5. Be explicit about your intentions
It doesn’t matter if this is a temporary thing. You must set clear expectations for yourself and the other person. Make sure to express your intentions clearly so that there is no room for any misunderstanding or heartbreaks in the future.
Explain to them that you are attracted to them and want to have some fun this summer. Also, mention casually that you do not want anything serious and that this affair will just go on till the time you are in that city.
6. Enjoy your time
Once you and your partner agree to the idea of a summer fling, make sure you make the most of the time you have with each other.
Go for walks on the beach, watch the sunsets together, stargaze under the night sky or even go for a skinny dip in the pool or the sea. Just cherish each and every moment together.
7. Make safety your first priority
Summer flings are fast romances and include sexual intimacy. So, make you’re protected and always engage in safe sex practices to reduce the risk of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).
Also, make sure no one forces you to cross the line and engage in anything you do not feel comfortable with.
8. Attend group events
Your fling will be your go-to date for any occasion this season. So, invite them along with you to your friend’s barbeque party or a concert everyone’s attending. But do not invite them over for a family event.
This fling is nothing serious and you do not want anyone to believe that you both are exclusive.
9. Make fun memories
Make the time you spend with your fling worth it. Go out on road trips or some sporty adventures with this amazing person. Make memories with them that you’ll cherish your whole life!
10. Do not fall in love
Most important!! Try to avoid emotional baggage. If you feel that you are about to fall for this person, “abort mission”.
Withdraw yourself away from this whole idea. You do not want to fall in love with someone, when you do not really want a serious relationship. Stick to the no-strings-attached formula to make this fling the best time you ever had.
Do you have to end your summer fling?
Summary
There is never an ideal answer to this question. If the situation calls for it, go ahead with the relationship, or else, better to call it quits!
A fling truly stands for the carefree nature of summer — it’s spontaneous, it’s uncomplicated, and very often, that means there are no strings attached. Still, the more time you spend with your fling, the greater the chance that one (or both) of you might catch some feelings.
So, do you pull the plug or just take things to the next level?
The answer is simple. Instead of assumptions, just talk to the person. If they confess to having the same feeling as you, you both better sit down and have “the talk” about how to go about this relationship.
If they deny having any feelings for you, it’s time to close the chapter for good!
How to end your summer fling?
Your summer romance was a blast – But now you have to ditch them real fast? Rude? Yes! That’s why they’re called flings! Here is a list of simple but effective ways to bring this beautiful joyride to a halt.
1. Be honest
Let’s see, summer is about to end, and you haven’t expressed your intentions clearly yet. That’s a major concern!
As more time passes by, the feelings might grow stronger for the other person. So, it would be a good idea to explain what you want from this relationship.
This will not only make you look good but also make sure there are no heartbreaks at the end of it all.
2. Don’t call so often
The best way to let a fling die a natural death is to reduce your day-to-day communication. Do not call and text as often.
Also, do not make yourself available for their calls either. Try to avoid talking to them as much as possible.
3. Spend as little time together as possible
If you’ve spent every second together all summer, then you might want to find ways to spend a little less time together.
Time is valuable and it says a lot about how much you care. So, if you spend more time with your fling, they might take it as a signal that you too want something more out of this affair.
4. Throw in subtle hints about other people
Drop the dating bomb. Nothing makes it clearer that it’s a summer fling than the fact that you are interested to see other people soon. Subtly weave it into your conversations like – “I was talking to this person” or you can even mention about a crush you came across on an online dating site!
This might provoke them to finally talk to you about their feelings – the perfect opportunity to express your intentions to them.
5. Do not keep everything for the last minute
It is always a good idea to plan ahead. Do not wait for the summer to end before you actually talk about what you want out of this affair. By then it might just be too late and things might turn into a sad heartbreak for them.
How to get over a summer fling?
Summer flings are meant to get over after a short time. So, you’ve met that special someone at the beach, park, pool, or the movies and you’ve had fun hanging out with them and then all of a sudden, they are not around you anywhere, anymore!
With the end of summer, your summer fling has come to an end, and you’re at a loss of what to do with yourself.
Well, do not worry, I have your back. Here are the 5 most effective ways you can bounce back after the end of your summer fling.
1. Be reasonable with yourself
If you still feel entangled with the memories of your summer fling, remind yourself that they might not be what they seemed to be.
You can never truly get to know a person in such a short time. As time passes by, you’ll realize that if this fling went on any further, you might not be as happy as you are right now. If it had turned into a relationship, it might not have lasted a long time.
2. Focus on the good part
Summer flings are meant to be happy experiences. Try not to wallow in your sadness that it’s over, instead, cherish the memories that you created with them.
Not all relationships are meant to last forever. But they still serve a purpose, they teach you something. Try to focus on what you learned from this experience and use it to enrich your life!
3. Focus on self-improvement
Put out all that sadness and anger over the end of your fling and channel it towards self-care. Work out to get into shape and look after your mental health. Spend time by yourself to meditate and have better clarity and focus in your life.
4. Engage in something new
It’s always a great idea to try something new and exciting to take your mind off of anything that bothers you.
For example, you can take up a new hobby or just simply keep yourself busy with projects that were left half done before summer (cleaning out your garden and closet). You may also want to start a journal or maintain a scrapbook – do what excites you the most and keep yourself busy with it.
5. Spend more time with people
The best way to get over your summer fling is to spend quality time with your friends and family. Not only will it help you catch up on their lives while you are away, but it will also make you happy and keep you away from loneliness.
A word from ThePleasantRelationship
A summer fling can offer intense affection and passion that is free from emotional baggage. You can enjoy your time getting to know somebody new and enjoying all the fun date activities that summer has to offer — beach days, campfires, whatever suits your fancy.
If you are looking to experience no-strings-attached excitement, a brief romance under the sun is just perfect! On rare occasions, summer romances transform into lifelong companions. And other times, the romance fades away even quicker than your tan…
Whether or not your summer fling blossoms into something more serious just consider all the possibilities we’ve listed in this article to decide if it’s worth it before you jump in. Make sure you don’t get too caught up and carried away by emotions! After all, seasons don’t last forever, and neither do flings…
