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54 Questions to Ask Yourself before Getting into a Relationship: Find Out If You’re Truly Ready for Love

by eharmony Editorial Team January 6, 2026

You’re probably excited because that one person you’ve really connected with is finally popping the “Will you be my partner?” question. Or maybe you’ve fallen in love with someone and can’t wait to make them yours. But ahead of taking that step, how about asking yourself a few questions before getting into a relationship? Yes, we know that being in a relationship is one of the best feelings, especially waking up to the cute morning messages, calling them during any slight inconvenience, the warm hugs, and sweet thoughtful gifts. We all love to experience that part of romance. However, there’s much more to a relationship than that. That’s why you have to sit with yourself and know what you really want to get out of it, how much you can take from the other person, how much you can tolerate, your strengths and weaknesses, how stable and ready you are emotionally, and so on. Before saying yes, these are things to ask yourself before getting into a relationship.

Asking yourself these questions would give you a chance to reflect on whether you are making the right decisions, or maybe you should take things slowly. That way you are probably staying away from a future heartbreak that might take you forever to heal from. Also, something that self-reflection does is that it prepares you to not lose yourself when you decide to date and have a meaningful and healthy relationship.

If you are reading this before making that decision to date again, then this article is what you really need to see right now. We will guide you with important questions to ask yourself before getting into a relationship, the benefits of self-reflection, and how to know if you really want a relationship. Let’s get into it.

Important Questions to Ask Yourself before Dating

The truth is that no matter how great relationships are generally painted, it still takes completely mature and self-developed people to make them work. That’s why it is important that you spend so much time asking yourself questions before committing to a relationship and work on those things that might cause you to have a lot of problems while dating. No one denies that you are in love, but are you grown enough to handle it? Can you be sure that your partner will be at peace in the relationship? Unfortunately, if all these important things don’t get asked & reflected upon, then maybe you are not ready to welcome someone into your life.

So, for the sake of yourself and your partner, be sincere with your own self and improve on those unhealthy patterns or unhealed emotions. After working on yourself, you would be very clear on whether you still want to go ahead with the relationship or maybe you are better off as friends. Here are some very important questions to ask yourself before dating that we highly recommend:

  1. Am I looking for a relationship to share happiness, or to fill a void?
  2. What have I learned from my past relationships about what works and what doesn’t?
  3. Am I emotionally available and ready to let someone new in?
  4. How do I usually handle conflict or differences in relationships?
  5. What are my top priorities in life right now, and how would dating fit into them?
  6. Am I clear on my boundaries and comfortable communicating them?
  7. How do I want to feel when I’m with the right person?
  8. Do I truly like my own company before inviting someone else into it?
  9. What kind of relationship dynamic brings out the best in me?
  10. Am I ready to compromise without losing my sense of self?
  11. What do I expect from a partner that I should also offer in return?

Questions to Ask Yourself about What You Want in a Relationship

Everyone who gets into a relationship has certainat least some expectations. Sadly, many people don’t define that before entering one because they believe their partner should already know what they want. This often leads to a heartbreak in the long run and can quickly end the relationship. That’s because some expectations may not be realistic or easy for the other person to meet. So, find a quiet and relaxed place and ask yourself what you truly want in a relationship. Once you set realistic expectations, you’ll be less likely to settle for just any relationship. Instead, you’ll wait for one that meets your standards and makes you genuinely happy.

Also, don’t reduce your expectations just because you’re afraid of losing someone or rushing into a relationship. Anyone who truly loves you will give you the space to reflect on what you want, listen to your needs, and work towards meeting your expectations. Check out our list of questions to ask yourself about what you want in a relationship and then you will find it easy to spot someone who matches you:

  1. What does a healthy relationship look like to me?
  2. Do I want a long-term commitment, or am I open to something more casual?
  3. How important is emotional connection compared to physical attraction for me?
  4. What kind of communication style do I need to feel secure?
  5. How much independence do I want to maintain in a relationship?
  6. Do I want a partner who shares my interests or one who challenges me with new perspectives?
  7. What role does shared humor play in how I connect with someone?
  8. What values are non-negotiable for me in a relationship?
  9. What kind of love languages do I naturally give and receive?
  10. Do I believe in growing together or finding someone who already fits my life?
A women looking slightly away from a guy that wants to hug her.

Why am I so picky with guys? How to stop sabotaging your love life

Do you have problems with being to pick? Dr. Seth Meyers addresses all of you super picky daters out there! Could this just be an excuse you are creating to not find love?

Questions to Ask Yourself if you Like Someone

If you’re in love with someone but aren’t sure whether it’s just a passing crush or a genuine feeling, then it’s time to have an honest conversation with yourself about it. The reason for asking yourself if you truly like someone is to gain clarity. People often say, “You can lie to others but not to yourself,” and that’s true because only you sincerely know what you really feel and want.

Maybe these are the signs you feel anytime you see them: you get excited or shy around them, your heart races when you hear their voice, you go out of your way to see them even when it’s inconvenient, you smile hard whenever they look at you, and you can’t stop thinking about them. That’s a great sign that you like them, but you still need to be clear on whether it’s genuine love or just infatuation. That would also help you ask yourself questions about what you really want in a relationship, so don’t rush into it just yet. Here are some questions to ask yourself if you like someone:

  1. Do I like this person for who they are, or for how they make me feel?
  2. Am I seeing them clearly, or through the lens of what I hope they could be?
  3. Do I feel comfortable being my authentic self around them?
  4. Do our values and lifestyles seem compatible long-term?
  5. Am I attracted to their character as much as their charm?
  6. Do I trust them with my emotions, even when things aren’t easy?
  7. Do I feel calm or anxious when I think about them?
  8. What do I admire most about them beyond surface qualities?
  9. Do I like the way they treat people around them?
  10. Is my interest in them consistent, or only strong when they’re paying attention to me?
  11. Do I feel respected and valued when I’m around them?

How Do You Know You Love Someone?

Keeping it short: If you’ve ever wondered ‘What does being in love feel like?’ this is the article for you.

Questions to Ask Yourself before Falling in Love

If someone’s making you happy and you take that as a sign to fall in love, that’s totally fine. But before you do, make sure it’s really what you want. See, love is one of the most profound emotions known to human beings.1 But the truth is, you can’t just fall deep in love because you’re physically attracted. Realistically, there is more to love than that. Here are things to know before dating someone: prepare yourself for what comes with love — from raw vulnerability to accepting your partner’s flaws, compromising, managing your emotions, and sticking with them through the good and the bad.

Ask yourself “Are you ready to handle all of that? If you’re falling in love just because they’re cute, you might need to rethink it, because the probability of that relationship lasting is very slim. That’s why you need to ask yourself a few questions if you are falling in love with someone. This will help you decide whether you’re truly ready for a love that lasts or if you should take a step back and work on yourself, these are some questions you’ll find useful:

  1. Am I falling for this person’s reality or my idea of who they could be?
  2. Do I trust them enough to be vulnerable?
  3. Have they shown me consistency, not just charm?
  4. Do I feel emotionally safe expressing my needs and fears?
  5. Am I willing to see their imperfections and accept them fully?
  6. Do they inspire me to grow, or do they drain my energy?
  7. Am I falling in love out of connection, not loneliness?
  8. Have we faced any challenges that showed how we handle conflict together?
  9. Can I picture a shared future that feels balanced and healthy?
  10. Do I still prioritize my goals and well-being while getting closer to them?
  11. Does this love feel peaceful or like a rollercoaster?

Questions to Ask Yourself before Defining the Relationship

You’ve been talking to someone for a while, things are going great, and now you’re wondering, “What are we?” Before holding the relationship talk, take a moment to ask yourself a few important questions. Defining the relationship isn’t just about labels, it’s about making sure you and the person are on the same page. It helps you figure out if what you feel is real and if you’re ready for the kind of commitment that comes with being official. Plus asking yourself these questions gives you clarity. Because emotions can sometimes blur reality, and you might mistake comfort or attraction for true compatibility. Reflecting helps you see things for what they are, not just what you hope they’ll be.

At the end of the day, defining a relationship should feel right, not rushed. When you take time to ask yourself the right questions, you glideet into love with confidence and peace of mind. Use any of our questions to ask yourself before defining the relationship on the eharmony question list that we curated for you:

  1. Do I know what I want from this connection moving forward?
  2. Have we built enough trust to talk openly about expectations?
  3. Do I feel like we’re emotionally on the same page?
  4. Am I ready for exclusivity, or do I still need space to explore?
  5. Do I feel heard and respected when we discuss serious topics?
  6. What do I hope to gain by defining the relationship right now?
  7. Am I choosing this person out of love or fear of losing them?
  8. Have I been honest about what I need to feel secure?
  9. Do I feel confident in where we’re headed together?
  10.  Is this relationship adding joy and clarity to my life or confusion and stress?
  11.  If nothing changed from how things are now, would I still be happy?
A girl outdoors clicking at her phone, smiling.

One of the important things to consider before entering a relationship is self-assessment. Self-assessment before dating is simply taking time to understand yourself before involving someone else. It is very necessary that you evaluate yourself before deciding to enter someone’s life and be a part of their journey. Identify your shortcomings and strengths, work on them because that helps you make better relationship choices and avoid emotional confusion in the long run. Here are the main benefits of assessing yourself before dating:

You are able to understand your needs, values, and what you’re truly looking for in a relationship.

You heal from past experiences and build a healthy mindset. This is a very crucial benefit of self-assessment because a lot of people enter relationships without healing and end up even more broken. And that’s because a new partner can’t fix what they didn’t break. That’s why why self-assessment is necessary.

You begin to attract partners who align with your values and goals.

You start to know your worth, and you don’t settle for less.

In short, self-assessment gives you the awareness to choose love intentionally, not impulsively.

How to know if I’m Falling in Love?

Although we’ve briefly touched on signs of being in love earlier, that doesn’t stop us from still going into further details about it. So, to know if you’re falling in love, pay attention to your emotions and behavior. Here’s how to figure it out:

  • Notice your thoughts: You catch yourself thinking about them often, even in random moments.
  • Check your feelings: You care about their happiness and want to see them do well.
  • Observe your comfort level: You feel safe opening up and being vulnerable around them.
  • Countenance Change: Your mood lights up when you see them.
  • Look for calmness: Love feels peaceful, not anxious. If your feelings bring joy and security instead of confusion, that’s a sign it’s more than a crush.
  • Yearning for them: This might sound too intense, but it’s possible to want them like you want your favorite food. If that’s you, then you are very much in lust or in love and no one is judging you for that.

All these feelings are undeniable signs that you are into them but always remember to always ask yourself questions before getting into a relationship!

How Do I Know If I Want a Relationship?

You might be unsure if you want a relationship and that’s normal. In fact, it’s better to find out if you are ready for a relationship before stepping into it. In short, it’s a self-check to see if your desire for love comes from wholeness, not emptiness. Here’s how to know if you want a relationship:

  • Ask yourself questions if you like someone: Do you want love or just fear being alone?
  • Check your emotional state: You enjoy your own company but still crave partnership.
  • Secure: You are emotionally and mentally secure and don’t project past hurt on people.
  • Evaluate your willingness: You are open to compromise, effort, and honest communication.
  • You think long-term: You’re not just looking for excitement but something meaningful and lasting.
  • Reflect on your goals: You are not chasing validation but connection. When you desire a relationship for growth, companionship, and mutual respect, not loneliness, then you’re truly ready.

How do I know if I’m Ready for a Committed Relationship?

Having a committed relationship is a blessing but firstly ask yourself if you are ready for it? You may not know how to go about that so here’s how to figure it out:

  • Check your emotional stability: You should be able to manage your feelings and not let past pain control your reactions.
  • Pay attention to your communication: You’re open, honest, and willing to listen during disagreements.
  • Take responsibility: You don’t shift blame when things go wrong.
  • Notice your consistency: You show up and keep your word, even when it’s not easy.
  • Know yourself: You have a strong sense of who you are outside the relationship.

When these traits feel natural, you’re likely ready for something real and lasting.

What are the Important Things to Talk about before Getting into a Relationship?

Before getting into a relationship, there are key conversations that set the tone for what’s ahead. These talks help you understand each other’s expectations and avoid future misunderstandings. Here are the most important topics to cover:

Discuss what truly matters to both of you – honesty, faith, family, or ambition.

Talk about personal space, communication habits, and deal-breakers.

Share where you see yourself in a few years to check alignment.

This might be a little difficult conversation to have, but it’s better to be honest about spending habits and financial priorities.

Understand how each of you handles disagreements.

These discussions build trust and help you start with clarity and confidence.

Why Should You Get to Know a Person Better before Dating?

It helps you build a connection based on reality, not fantasy. When you take time to learn their values, habits, and goals, you avoid falling for potential instead of the person. According to a research done by Danu Stinson, associate professor of psychology at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, couples who start as friends or take time to understand each other tend to have longer-lasting bonds.2 It also gives you time to spot red flags and check emotional compatibility.

Getting to know someone deeply first creates a stronger foundation for trust, respect, and true intimacy. To make sure that you never run out of questions, you can always come to check eharmony list of questions to ask someone to know them beyond the surface.

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