Situationship, Dysfunctionship, or Healthy Relationship

Not every connection you form is healthy or destined for a lasting partnership. Some relationships keep you stuck in ambiguity, others drain your emotional energy, and a select few enrich your life and help you grow. So, how do you know the difference?

Many people find themselves stuck in situationships or dysfunctionships without realizing how these dynamics impact their lives.

Hi, we’re Elitia and Cullen Mattox, your favorite relationship coaches. Today, we’re breaking down the differences between situationships, dysfunctionships, and healthy relationships—and sharing next steps (including Love Flow Live, our upcoming relationship reset event) to help you move out of toxic patterns and into the healthy love you deserve. For even deeper insights, subscribe and watch our YouTube video on this topic.

Situationships: The Gray Area Between Dating and Courting

A situationship exists in the undefined gray space between dating and courtship. It’s where expectations and clarity are lacking, and you’re left feeling stuck or confused. Here are the key signs:

• Unclear Expectations: Neither person has articulated their desires or intentions.
• No Commitment: There’s no mutual agreement on exclusivity or moving forward.
• Time Keeps Passing: Despite the lack of clarity, weeks, months, or even years go by.

Situationships often start when people fail to define what they want early on. Questions like “What are we?” or “Where is this going?” become common as one or both individuals seek clarity in an ambiguous dynamic.

Dysfunctionships: Long-Term Unhealthy Relationships

A dysfunctionship is a committed relationship filled with unresolved issues, negative patterns, emotional harm and marked by unmet needs. Unlike a healthy relationship, dysfunctionships operate from a place of fear, insecurity, or toxicity. Here are some characteristics:

• Fear-Based Foundation: The relationship often stems from fear of being alone or fear of losing the other person.
• Accumulated Hurt Timeline: Conflicts pile up without resolution, creating deep resentment over time.
• Normalized Dysfunction: Outsiders may see the relationship as “normal,” but it’s filled with negative energy and unhealthy patterns.

Dysfunctionships are common in both courting and married couples. They often result in anniversaries of resentment rather than celebrations of love and growth.

Healthy Relationships: The Gold Standard

Here is the WLWD definition of a healthy relationship to help ground you. A healthy relationship is built on a mutual exchange of time, energy, resources, service, support, and health. This is where both individuals:

• Healthy relationships don’t just “happen.” They require:

  • Co-Creation: Building a unique, fulfilling life together.

  • Growth Mindset: Seeing conflicts as opportunities to grow, not blame.

  • Mutual Care: Both partners intentionally contribute to the relationship’s success.

Unlike situationships or dysfunctionships, these partnerships focus on co-creation and consistent effort, rather than survival.

Love Flow Live: Your 2-Hour Relationship Reset

Recognizing where you are is the first step—taking action is the next.

If you’re ready to stop the cycle of ambiguity or dysfunction, join us for Love Flow Live on Sunday, October 12th.

In just two hours, you and your partner will:
✔️ Create a relationship plan for communication & conflict resolution
✔️ Learn a pleasure practice to reignite connection
✔️ Receive downloadable guides to keep the momentum going
✔️ Walk away with more clarity, confidence, and connection

💻 Zoom-friendly — No babysitter required
💵 $147 per couple

👉🏾 Save My Spot for Love Flow Live

How Love Leader™ Membership Helps You Build Healthy Relationships

Whether you’re stuck in a situationship, dysfunctionship, or ready to build a thriving relationship, the Love Leader™ Membership offers the tools, support, and clarity you need to shift your patterns and experience healthy love.

Here’s how membership helps:

• Live Coaching & Support: Learn to identify relationship red flags, set boundaries, and confidently navigate dating or commitment.
• Digital Love Lessons: Access step-by-step lessons that guide you from confusion and frustration to clarity and healthy connection.
• Roadmap for Love: Follow a proven framework to move out of toxic patterns and build an intentional, thriving relationship.
• Resources at Your Fingertips: Use the membership App to gain tools, track your growth, and revisit lessons whenever you need them.

Key Differences Between These Relationship Types

You deserve more than a situationship or dysfunctionship—you deserve a healthy, intentional partnership that brings joy and growth. Recognizing the difference is the first step, and the Love Leader™ Membership provides the tools and support to help you build the kind of relationship you’ve been waiting for.

Don’t wait to create the love you deserve. Join the Love Leader™ Membership today and take the first step toward healthy, thriving relationships.

You deserve a relationship that enriches your life, not one that drains it. Whether you’re dating, in a committed relationship, or evaluating your current situation, prioritize health and mutual growth.

Take the Next Step Toward Healthy Love

If you’re ready to leave ambiguity and dysfunction behind, here’s how to start:

• Join Love Flow Live – Experience a 2-hour reset with live coaching and actionable tools.
• Become a Love Leader™ Today: Access live coaching, digital love lessons, and a clear roadmap to move from frustration to thriving, intentional love. Join now: https://bit.ly/wlwdmembership.

Healthy relationships are about intentionality, bravery, and co-creation. Let’s make this your season to fall in love with your love life again.