Can Cuffing Season Lead To A Relationship

Cuffing season is when the days get shorter, the weather gets chilly and you start looking for another warm body to couple up with.

But can a cold snap lead to a  long term relationship?

I’ll tell you how to go from cuffed to couple.

Short answer? You can go from cuffed to couple in just five simple steps and I’ll tell you exactly how to make it happen.

What Is Cuffing Season?

Alright, we need to define cuffing season.

“Cuffing” is the process of pairing up into short term relationships

The “season” is the time of year this typically happens: think cold weather.

Put it together and you get cuffing season: that chilly time of year when you just want to cuddle up under a blanket with another warm body, watch Netflix and get fat together. It fosters short term relationships similar to summer flings.

Depending on the climate where you live it can be as long as four months or as short as a couple weeks. The worse the weather, the longer the cuffing season.

RELATED: How To Find Mr. Right

Finally something good to come out of climate change. Just kidding.

So why does it happen? Studies have shown that serotonin (the neurochemical responsible for happiness) drops with the temperature. That’s when people go looking for something, or someone, to add that joy back into their life.

How To Go From Cuffed To Couple

You’ll know you’re cuffed if you’ve got a pretty regular, semi-exclusive relationship that developed as soon as there was snow on the ground, with no talk of the future. If this sounds familiar then I have potentially bad news…he’s going to fly south as soon as the weather lets up.

RELATED: Signs He’s Losing Interest

So before cuffing season comes to an end, you’re wondering, how do I turn this winter fling into a year-round thing?

First, slow down. Before you go any further you need to do something for me…

You need to make sure you really want a relationship with this guy.

It may sound simple but I’ve found that many women get hooked on men just because they’re unwilling to make a real commitment.

This is human psychology 101. We want validation from people who deny us the most.

All this to say, let’s look a few indicators that you should or shouldn’t want this cuffing season romance to become something more.

Signs You’re Compatible

This inventory will not only help you figure out your true feelings, it will actually make you more appealing to this guy and better your chances of turning this into a real relationship. This is all about mindset.

When you shift your mindset from “How can I make him stick around?” to “should I allow him space in my life?” all your desperation quickly evaporates.

The answer to this question lies in two things: compatibility, and some indication that you actually have a chance with this guy. Here’s how you know it could work out:

You spend time together when the sun is out

This is the difference between a booty call and a possible partner. Can you stand to see one another sober and in the light of day? Because the end of cuffing season means longer days and shorter nights. You’d better find out if you can make this last come spring melt, or if you’re better off keeping it on ice.

You have great banter

One of the main ways physical relationships evolve into something more is through conversation. Are your talks full of awkward silences.

Do you find yourself having sex just to break the silence? These are signs that this thing begins and ends with cuffing season.

If you’re looking for a way to make men stay, you need to check out Amy North’s Devotion System. It completely changed how I operate when it comes to men and it can work for you too. It really is the best way to fix dating culture once and for all.

You want the same thing

This is key for any relationship. If he doesn’t want a relationship and you do, a cuffing season fling might be the best thing you can hope for.

That said, many relationships do begin this way, even if both parties don’t intend it to.

Chances are you’ve both been avoiding this conversation for one reason or another.

You’ve got things in common

Key to any lasting romantic connection is common interests. A relationship, simply put, is two people who enjoy the other’s company, and that means you do things together that you both enjoy.

So is your relationship built on pounding it out and then leaving before midnight? Or do you two actually enjoy the same things?

He’s always texting you

Texting is a clear sign of romantic attachment. If he only does the bare minimum in order to get you into bed, then this is a strike against your chances.

But if he’s hitting you up all day with cute animal pics and memes, this is a sign that he’s interested in you for more than just your warm body.

How To Turn Cuffing Season Into A Real Relationship

Alright, so you’ve taken an honest inventory and you want to go from cold weather cuddles to springtime smooches.

What’s your next move? Here are some steps you can take to turn this cuffing season into something more.

Take your dates into the daytime

This is crucial if you want to turn this into a real relationship. You’re not a couple if you only hang out at night.

Find a reason to be busy in the evenings. Opt for afternoon delight instead and see if you can extend your hangout into a lunch date or a nice walk. Whatever you decide, make sure your first date is unforgettable.

You might get some initial pushback but when he sees how good you look in shortsleeves, he’s bound to change his tune.

Spring into action

Cuffing season relationships end because you’re used to seeing each other at your worst. You’re carrying some extra holiday weight, you’re on the couch watching netflix, and your skin is extremely dry.

Shake off the perception he has of you by getting off your butt and out into the sun.

The warmer weather is a great excuse to go on some hikes. Get outside and really explore together.

You want to change how he sees you and the only way to do that is to change what the two of you do together.

Play hard to get

Playing hard to get is cliched advice for a reason: it just works. Now I want to caution you against being standoffish or aloof. You don’t want to come off as stuckup. Springtime means warmer weather and more plans.

Use this opportunity to reconnect with your friends who have been hibernating. When he finds that he has to make the effort to spend time with you, he’s going to naturally try to compete for your attention.

Demonstrate value

As I’ve said, cuffing season is often when we’re at our worst. You need to show him that you’re not just all about sex and Netflix. Demonstrating your value is about how you stand apart from all the other girls in his phone.

Show, don’t tell, him that you have more to offer than you have been.

Whether it means cooking him a nice meal or just offering to host once in awhile, treating him better is a great way to get him to treat you better.

Talk about it

I know, I know. Putting yourself out there is scary, but sometimes it’s the only option.

If you two made it clear from the start that this was just a short term thing, you need to let him know that things have changed.

Don’t put a ton of pressure into this interaction. Just letting him know your intention is often enough to completely transform the relationship.

Lucy Goldman

Lucy Goldman is a women's dating coach and commitment expert. She's a staff writer at LoveLearnings, and host of LoveLearnings TV on YouTube.