The Relationship Timeline of Questions

I had lunch today with my good friend, Ms. A, who updated me on a new man in her life that she's been dating for about two months now. She was informing me that she has been a little frustrated with the relationship because it's been moving at a slower pace then what she's use to. Basically she isn't sure if they are dating other people or if this new relationship is at the "exclusive-dating" stage. When I suggested she just ask him what's his thoughts were, she mentioned she was worried she would look "pushy.". . . So naturally this got me thinking:

When is the right time in a relationship (new or long-term )to ask questions about the "next-step"?

For example, Mr. S and I have been dating for three years now. Though we have taken our time to grow and mature before considering marriage, lately I have been wondering when he thinks we will get married. I'm not fishing for a ring or trying to pressure him - believe me I'm not ready to walk down the aisle yet - I just want to know if he sees an "us" in his future. Though I got an answer that had something to do with cooking spaghetti, I still feel like there is nothing wrong with asking whatever question might be on my mind. But in the situation I mentioned earlier, Ms. A feels she can't ask about her new relationship without facing the possibility of messing it up.

So this raises more questions:

Are there different rules for those in new relationships compared to those in a long-term relationship? And, can you only talk about certain topics when you're at a particular point in a relationship?

I've always thought of the "dating" as a time to get-to-know one another. To me almost all questions are free game at that point because if you find out something you don't like, then you're are free to exit at your own pleasure. But, if you don't ask about where you stand in a relationship, then you could end up wasting a lot of time thinking you're at one step when you're partner maybe two steps behind you.

So, my advice to Ms. A is to suck-it-up and ask the new man.

But, I'd like to hear from you. What are your thoughts on the relationship timeline of questions?

Did you hear? There's a new kid at school.

When developing this blog, I couldn't help but feel like the new kid at school. Walking through the hallways of an enormous building and acting like I know where I'm headed, when my insides are actually screaming for a map. Since blogging has been around for years now, someone like me, who enjoys social media and has a career in public relations and marketing, should have started blogging during freshmen orientation at college. Well a few years later, I'm just now jumping on the bandwagon, so bare with me if it takes a few posts and layout changes to fully grasp the purpose of my blog.

Though I'm not sure I have a real purpose. I don't plan to use this blog as a place to be an advocate for a particular issue (though I'm sure the occasional need to will arise), I just want a place to let my thoughts run wild from my restless mind without talking some poor victim's ear off. Do you know what its like to constantly think about things? I mean lists and lists of random thoughts popping up in your head all day long - nonstop - even when you lay down to sleep? Let me tell you, it can be frustrating. But I have to admit, having a mind that seems to never relax really helps with creativity and brainstorming. I do some of my best thinking and writing at night when I should be resting and relaxing.

So here's to my first blog and first post! I might not be that interesting, but I have a lot of new life paths and turns coming my way, so stay tuned and take the journey with me. I might not always have new story, but I can promise to always have a random thought from My Restless Mind!