Continued from page 1
(These three stages represent being single and
importance of using
“Screen-out” process.) Breaking Up Stage “I no longer have love with this person” Goal: to let go of
person/love Characterized by disappointment/relief
(Breaking up is a transitional stage.)
Exclusivity Stage “I think this is love” Goal: to further qualify
person to see if she/he might be a good match Characterized by excitement Commitment Stage “I know this is love” Goal: to close
deal Characterized by confidence Keeping
Love You Find Stage “I want to keep this love” Goal: to preserve
love you have found Characterized by continuous commitment
(These three stages represent being involved and
importance of using
“Screen-in” process.)
The key is to consciously place yourself in each stage. For example, if you decide you want to be in
“dating stage” then be fully present and make a true effort to make yourself available for dating. If, however, you find that your heart isn’t in it, and that you would rather avoid relationships, then you need to stop and consciously put yourself back in that stage. This will help you to stay clear on what you want and enable you to honestly communicate to others "where you are at.” Each level and stage of
relationship is a transition and involves psychological and emotional energy. As you progress through each level, you will no doubt experience excitement and anxiety, hope and fear, arousal and dis-arousal, certainty and uncertainty, along with a myriad of other feelings. You will need to work hard at balancing
messages that you are receiving from both your head and your heart to most accurately interpret
incoming, overwhelming information—it is very easy to be misled.
***This article is adapted from
book, Get Smart! About Modern Romantic Relationships: Your Personal Guide to Finding Right and Real Love by Michelle L. Casto

Michelle L. Casto, M.Ed. is a Whole Life Coach, Speaker, and Author of the Get Smart! LearningBook Series: Get Smart! About Modern Romantic Relationships, Get Smart! About Modern Career Development, and Get Smart! About Modern Stress Management. Her coaching practice is called Brightlight Coaching because she helps people come up with bright ideas for their life and empowers them to freely shine their bright light to the world. www.getsmartseries.com and www.brightlightcoach.com