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Soft Launch vs Hard Launch: Find out which launch style is your emotional lifesaver.
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Are you stepping into the world of new relationships or contemplating the pace at which to unveil your love? In this hilarious episode of W…
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Aug. 14, 2024

Soft Launch vs Hard Launch: Find out which launch style is your emotional lifesaver.

Are you stepping into the world of new relationships or contemplating the pace at which to unveil your love? In this hilarious episode of Women's Mental Health Podcast, we decode the essence of "soft launch" and "hard launch" in relationships and why understanding these concepts is crucial for your mental wellness and emotional boundaries. Join Randi Owsley, LMSW, and Jessica Bullwinkle, LMFT, as they offer empowering relationship advice, explore privacy boundaries, and provide tips on introducing your partner on social media. 

In the tender journey of love, where our hearts navigate the ebb and flow of connection and self-preservation, understanding the dynamics of a soft launch versus a hard launch relationship can be both empowering and comforting. As resilient women actively seeking mental wellness in romantic connections, we often grapple with the vulnerability that accompanies relationship status reveals, and it's okay to seek out anxiety help specific to our experiences. On the Women's Mental Health Podcast, we offer an honest guide to introducing partners on social media, echoing personal stories that resonate with soft launch approaches, and providing insights into the commitment of a hard launch. You’re not alone in this; communicating relationship stages effectively is a skill, and it's one that we can learn and hone together. 

In our upcoming episodes, We'll delve into "balancing privacy and love sharing," understanding that your heart’s story is yours to tell—or not—and discuss how "resilient women navigate love openly," even when the waves are high. As always, we’re here to uplift you, offering strategies for "empowering women to define love publicly," while recognizing the "mental health benefits of relationship soft launch," and how these measured steps can foster wellbeing. We'll hold space for "embracing love transitions with confidence" because each shift is an opportunity to learn and grow. As we cover "defining relationship status: public vs. private," we'll empower you to make those choices with clarity and strength. 

FAQS:
What exactly is a soft launch in a relationship?
And what about a hard launch? How does it differ?
Why might someone choose a soft launch over a hard launch?
Can a soft launch help in the long-term health of a relationship?
Is there ever a right time to transition from a soft to a hard launch?
How do I talk to my partner about preferring one launch type over the other?
Can a hard launch put unnecessary pressure on a relationship?
What if my partner wants a hard launch, but I prefer keeping things soft?
#SoftLaunchLoveStories #HardLaunchHeartbeats #NavigatingNewLove #RelationshipRevealWisdom #EmpoweredLoveChoices #PrivacyInPartnership #WomenDefiningLove #MentalWellnessInLove #LoveTransitionTales

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Women's Mental Health Podcast, created by licensed psychotherapists Randi Owsley MSW and Jessica Bullwinkle LMFT, offers resources for those navigating mental health. This podcast or social media are not psychotherapy, a replacement for a therapeutic relationship, or substitute for mental health care. All thoughts expressed are for educational and entertainment purposes, no psychotherapeutic relationship exists by virtue of listening, commenting, or engaging. Our platform could contain affiliate links, which if used, might earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

 

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Transcript

WEBVTT

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Welcome back to the women's mental health podcast.

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I'm randy.

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I'm And I'm Jess.

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And we are two licensed psychotherapists, and this is a safe space where we talk about mental health, well being, and strategies for coping with life's challenges.

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And how all of this is normal, and you are not alone.

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Today we're going to dive into a popular topic in the realm of modern relationships.

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We're going to go over what is a soft launch versus a hard launch in relationships.

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We're going to define these terms and explore why they're called that, discuss their impact on mental health, and talk about how to embrace, normalize, and show support for each approach.

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Find us and more resources on womensmentalhealthpodcast.

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com.

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Have you ever had these thoughts?

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What exactly is a

00:00:41.362 --> 00:00:42.792
soft launch in a relationship?

00:00:42.792 --> 00:00:44.091
I really had to look that up.

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Right.

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What about a hard launch and how does it differ from a soft launch?

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When you originally sent the idea over to me, I was like, I don't, do I even want to Google this?

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Cause I'm a little afraid of this hard and soft.

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Yeah.

00:00:55.822 --> 00:00:55.932
Yeah.

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Okay.

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Why might someone choose a soft launch over a hard launch?

00:01:00.296 --> 00:01:04.596
Can a soft launch relationship help the long term health of your relationship?

00:01:05.126 --> 00:01:09.057
Is there ever a right time to transition from a soft to hard launch?

00:01:09.456 --> 00:01:13.617
How do I talk to my partner about preferring one type of launch over the other?

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This sounds really funny saying this.

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It does.

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That's why I was like,

00:01:16.706 --> 00:01:17.956
Randy, what are you having me talk about?

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Can a hard launch put unnecessary pressure on a relationship?

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What if my partner wants a

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hard launch?

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What if my partner wants it hard, but I prefer it soft?

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Let's just go with it.

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Okay, hold on.

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I swear

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to

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God.

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Oh, I just ruined it and just turned it wrong for everybody out there.

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Okay.

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Okay.

00:01:55.018 --> 00:01:55.298
Sorry.

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Hold on.

00:01:57.638 --> 00:01:57.977
Okay.

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Do all relationships need to go through these launch phases?

00:02:01.207 --> 00:02:05.317
What's the most important thing to remember about relationships and launching them?

00:02:05.843 --> 00:02:06.222
Okay,

00:02:06.253 --> 00:02:10.413
so Randi, let's now go and describe what a soft launch is.

00:02:10.703 --> 00:02:21.233
So a soft launch, in the context of relationships, refers to a subtle, ambiguous way of introducing a new partner to your social Circle or online audience.

00:02:21.242 --> 00:02:30.651
So this might involve posting a photo of a hand or drink or a shadowy figure in the background or a meal with two plates.

00:02:31.042 --> 00:02:33.211
So maybe you're just hinting at that.

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You're entering into a relationship and like often like celebrities.

00:02:36.637 --> 00:02:40.056
We'll do this to introduce maybe they're entering a new relationship.

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I'm dating somebody, but I don't want to tell you yet.

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Right.

00:02:42.757 --> 00:02:50.947
And on the other hand, a hard launch is very straightforward, and it explains that you are openly in a relationship.

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And this is usually a clear photo of the couple.

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You've tagged the partner.

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You make public declaration of their relationship status, like Facebook.

00:02:59.646 --> 00:03:07.216
So,

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These terms are borrowed from a marketing jargon where a soft one prefers to a limited gradual release of a product that gauges reactions.

00:03:17.436 --> 00:03:20.885
It's like having a premiere or the very first episode of a pilot.

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That's what it's called.

00:03:21.566 --> 00:03:22.086
A pilot show.

00:03:22.086 --> 00:03:22.626
Or where they

00:03:22.635 --> 00:03:30.242
do they test products in like different markets So it might not be like all over it's kind of like dipping your toe into the water to test it out.

00:03:30.532 --> 00:03:31.423
See if you like it.

00:03:31.423 --> 00:03:34.853
And then it also helps you figure out in marketing, what works and doesn't work.

00:03:35.092 --> 00:03:42.163
While a hard launch is this full scale public release And so in relationships, a soft launch can feel like testing.

00:03:42.163 --> 00:03:49.052
The water's, like you said, dip in your toes, while the hard launch is a very confident declaration of, I am with this person.

00:03:49.393 --> 00:03:50.372
Like air conditioner.

00:03:50.383 --> 00:03:54.473
I was with air conditioner two weeks ago because it was a hundred and seven.

00:03:54.473 --> 00:03:55.272
I was like, no, no.

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Forget my husband.

00:03:56.168 --> 00:03:57.837
I'm in a relationship with my air conditioner.

00:03:58.427 --> 00:04:03.848
So let's talk about how these different relationship approaches can really impact one's mental health.

00:04:04.207 --> 00:04:12.837
So the decision between a soft or hard launch can reflect one's comfort level, or maybe your vulnerability about the relationship.

00:04:12.848 --> 00:04:16.387
Or if you even want to be open to public scrutiny.

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Or maybe, you fear like your family's, scrutiny or your friends.

00:04:20.862 --> 00:04:35.083
for some, a soft launch might feel like a much safer way to share their happiness without the pressure of really putting out there in the public and getting that validation or getting any type of backlash or judgment.

00:04:35.502 --> 00:04:39.603
One can say a hard launch presents confidence in the relationship.

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But sometimes.

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We don't know where we stand, we're not doing the, will you be my girlfriend?

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Will you be my boyfriend thing anymore?

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And so it's kind of like, I'm dating, I'm seeing somebody.

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You remember back where you were dating, you're like, we're, we're going out, we're going steady.

00:04:52.372 --> 00:04:54.302
How old did I make myself by saying that?

00:04:54.783 --> 00:04:54.942
Old.

00:04:55.353 --> 00:04:56.043
Oh my God.

00:04:56.473 --> 00:04:58.213
I'm going to wear his Letterman jacket.

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That's a hard launch.

00:04:59.523 --> 00:04:59.853
Okay.

00:05:00.153 --> 00:05:02.702
whether it's a choice between a, oh my God, hold on.

00:05:04.552 --> 00:05:06.163
Others might prefer a hard launch.

00:05:06.843 --> 00:05:07.533
Yeah, I know.

00:05:07.612 --> 00:05:08.302
I'm still giggling.

00:05:08.333 --> 00:05:08.603
Okay.

00:05:08.603 --> 00:05:11.752
I'll just wipe her for an hour.

00:05:11.752 --> 00:05:14.427
Oh, yeah.

00:05:14.427 --> 00:05:15.766
Oh,

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yay.

00:05:17.983 --> 00:05:19.612
Oh, yay.

00:05:19.612 --> 00:05:19.923
Hold on.

00:05:21.293 --> 00:05:21.673
Okay.

00:05:21.923 --> 00:05:22.353
Woosah.

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Woosah.

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Whether you want to have the heart for lunch or the song, you can

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do it.

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Okay, okay, so sometimes the choice between a soft or hard launch can be influenced by so many different factors.

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It could be like your personal comfort, past experiences, maybe your culture, what your family, thinks is normal or not normal, and the nature of the relationship itself.

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There's no right or wrong way to introduce your partner.

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It all depends on what really feels best for the individuals involved.

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That's not to say like, you don't want somebody hiding your relationship.

00:06:03.353 --> 00:06:04.024
That's not healthy.

00:06:04.053 --> 00:06:04.584
No, we're not talking about

00:06:04.744 --> 00:06:04.994
hiding it.

00:06:04.994 --> 00:06:05.403
But we're just

00:06:05.403 --> 00:06:09.754
talking about maybe you don't want all the pressure of everybody knowing everything.

00:06:09.814 --> 00:06:11.894
There's, there's a difference between that.

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And so

00:06:12.451 --> 00:06:21.264
I think if the hard launch, if you immediately put somebody on there, you're just dating, you know, there are people that I know that won't tell people they're dating for like a year.

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It's not that they're embarrassed.

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Everybody who's close to them knows, but Facebook doesn't need to know, or Instagram doesn't need to know.

00:06:27.704 --> 00:06:32.293
Maybe it's because you have kids and you want to know if you're a good match before you introduce them to your kids.

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Maybe you're just like, you know,, it's none of your damn business what I do.

00:06:35.963 --> 00:06:36.223
Okay.

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And that's okay, too.

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It really depends on each person.

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So it's really important to know that it's your choice.

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It is absolutely your choice.

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There is no right or wrong way to do this, but you want to also talk to your partner.

00:06:50.911 --> 00:06:54.221
that you are introducing is, how do we want to do this?

00:06:54.502 --> 00:06:57.432
Maybe your partner wants a soft launch and you want the hard launch.

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And so you have to figure out what that is.

00:07:00.091 --> 00:07:05.101
Or maybe they don't want to date a sixth grade mind like, Randy and I, and they're just going to figure out what that is

00:07:05.132 --> 00:07:06.122
because we keep giggling.

00:07:06.562 --> 00:07:14.461
But really, we just need to normalize that whatever people choose, we should celebrate their happiness and respect that that's their own process.

00:07:14.791 --> 00:07:17.651
And that, that's their journey, and it's not ours.

00:07:18.012 --> 00:07:22.891
And really be mindful, too, about how we talk about others relationships.

00:07:22.911 --> 00:07:26.312
We don't want to gossip about people and their relationships.

00:07:26.331 --> 00:07:29.771
We don't want to speculate about other people's relationships.

00:07:30.112 --> 00:07:34.192
that's what causes people to feel like maybe they need to, Go soft.

00:07:34.211 --> 00:07:35.221
Yeah, go soft.

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I'm not cutting any of this out, just so you know.

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No, it's so funny.

00:07:45.297 --> 00:07:46.687
I don't even think you should,

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okay, if we can get through with our podcast.

00:07:49.086 --> 00:07:49.416
Okay.

00:07:49.829 --> 00:07:57.499
Let's talk about supporting somebody because basically, whether you're doing a soft launch or a hard launch, I think a soft launch is more of setting a boundary.

00:07:57.658 --> 00:07:59.809
It's not putting the pressure on the relationship.

00:07:59.809 --> 00:08:01.389
It's letting it figure out what it is.

00:08:01.709 --> 00:08:05.139
Yeah, and that's fine, and everything does not need to be defined.

00:08:05.158 --> 00:08:05.908
I feel like we have.

00:08:05.908 --> 00:08:06.899
Or on social media.

00:08:06.899 --> 00:08:07.199
Right.

00:08:07.238 --> 00:08:10.249
Our culture feels like we need to announce everything to the world.

00:08:10.259 --> 00:08:16.858
Everything needs to fit into a nice tidy box, and that's just not the way things really are.

00:08:16.858 --> 00:08:17.428
Mm mm.

00:08:17.658 --> 00:08:21.949
Constantly tried to fit everybody in our culture into a box.

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I think that does more harm than good.

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And so you really need to just be a good friend or a good, family member and offer encouragement, celebrate that person's joy and just be there for them.

00:08:34.198 --> 00:08:41.818
Like If that soft launch doesn't turn into a hard launch, well, then that shit happens.

00:08:41.869 --> 00:08:46.399
Sometimes you need to take a little blue pill and then it'll be okay and you can go to a hard launch.

00:08:46.788 --> 00:08:47.188
Just kidding.

00:08:47.219 --> 00:08:47.519
Okay.

00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:48.019
You're killing me.

00:08:48.028 --> 00:08:48.369
You're killing me.

00:08:49.948 --> 00:08:51.068
You're killing me here.

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Oh, I think we just need to go answer our questions at this point.

00:08:55.028 --> 00:09:08.360
So let's real quick let's go through exactly what a soft launch is because I think we've just turned it into this Like joke and we don't want to do that We're giggling away because we have the minds of a sixth grader but a soft launch What exactly is that, Randy?

00:09:08.389 --> 00:09:12.149
So like we said, it's like dipping our toes in the water before you fully dive in.

00:09:12.159 --> 00:09:19.225
It's where you and your partner start integrating each other into your lives in a low key manner.

00:09:19.315 --> 00:09:26.195
Subtle hints, maybe on social media, maybe introducing them just to a small circle of friends, or maybe just your family.

00:09:26.195 --> 00:09:28.215
It doesn't, everything doesn't need to be a grand plan.

00:09:28.544 --> 00:09:32.445
gesture or grand announcement or on social media, like we said.

00:09:32.914 --> 00:09:38.044
Now, Jess, explain a little bit about a hard launch again and how it differs from a soft launch.

00:09:38.304 --> 00:09:40.804
Okay, so think of the hard launch as the big reveal.

00:09:42.304 --> 00:09:42.565
God!

00:09:47.384 --> 00:09:47.965
Big reveal.

00:09:48.375 --> 00:09:52.225
Oh yeah, I always have been reading too many smutty romance books.

00:09:53.044 --> 00:09:54.024
That's where I was thinking.

00:09:54.414 --> 00:09:54.794
Okay.

00:09:54.825 --> 00:09:55.134
Okay.

00:09:55.504 --> 00:09:58.514
I was trying to do it in a way of like marketing, but okay.

00:09:58.524 --> 00:09:58.825
Yeah.

00:09:58.875 --> 00:10:11.965
When you decide to make your relationship, official on social media or introduce them at family events or openly discuss your relationship status in a more public and pronounced way.

00:10:12.455 --> 00:10:15.965
It is a declaration of your status as a couple to the world.

00:10:15.975 --> 00:10:17.554
It is the, we are together.

00:10:17.554 --> 00:10:18.875
This is what we're doing.

00:10:19.254 --> 00:10:20.465
That's how it's different.

00:10:20.514 --> 00:10:26.590
Usually somebody in a soft launch relationship or like, you I think they're dating somebody, but I'm not sure, but they look happy.

00:10:26.590 --> 00:10:27.100
That's great.

00:10:27.309 --> 00:10:27.659
Yeah.

00:10:27.700 --> 00:10:28.159
Perfect.

00:10:28.419 --> 00:10:30.580
Somebody in a hard line says, Oh, they're totally together.

00:10:30.629 --> 00:10:31.169
They're dating.

00:10:31.179 --> 00:10:32.370
There is no question.

00:10:32.679 --> 00:10:34.129
And that makes the difference.

00:10:34.250 --> 00:10:35.759
Either one is totally fine.

00:10:36.090 --> 00:10:38.769
So Randy, why would somebody choose one

00:10:38.844 --> 00:10:39.734
over the other?

00:10:40.323 --> 00:10:42.604
It really depends on your comfort level.

00:10:43.004 --> 00:10:46.984
A soft launch can sometimes feel more safer, more controlled.

00:10:46.994 --> 00:10:54.754
You might have, like you said, if you don't want backlash and it allows you to gradually share, or maybe you just want to keep that to yourself and like keep it

00:10:54.764 --> 00:10:57.114
something so sweet and

00:10:57.754 --> 00:11:04.984
just not have anybody interfere with it or interject their own feelings and ideals on you.

00:11:05.394 --> 00:11:06.183
And we'll think about it.

00:11:06.193 --> 00:11:07.323
Not to interrupt you, but I totally did.

00:11:07.774 --> 00:11:07.943
Think

00:11:07.953 --> 00:11:08.083
about

00:11:08.083 --> 00:11:08.153
it.

00:11:08.153 --> 00:11:08.803
People are always Not to

00:11:08.803 --> 00:11:09.264
interrupt

00:11:09.264 --> 00:11:10.644
you, but I'm going to.

00:11:10.894 --> 00:11:11.629
Yeah, exactly.

00:11:11.629 --> 00:11:13.083
No, just kidding.

00:11:13.394 --> 00:11:14.474
What are you guys getting married?

00:11:14.774 --> 00:11:15.533
Are you moving in?

00:11:15.663 --> 00:11:16.754
How many kids are you having?

00:11:16.783 --> 00:11:18.004
Yeah, What about this?

00:11:18.033 --> 00:11:18.844
What does he do for work?

00:11:18.874 --> 00:11:19.254
What is it?

00:11:19.264 --> 00:11:19.533
There's

00:11:19.563 --> 00:11:20.644
so much pressure that

00:11:20.644 --> 00:11:22.094
goes, yeah, what does he do for work?

00:11:22.104 --> 00:11:22.923
What is he going to do?

00:11:22.943 --> 00:11:23.833
What are your plans?

00:11:24.053 --> 00:11:25.114
Has your mom met him yet?

00:11:25.134 --> 00:11:30.994
There's sometimes people will just go into so much detail about and you're like we just started dating officially.

00:11:31.104 --> 00:11:31.244
Yeah, and

00:11:31.703 --> 00:11:37.682
when you take on what everybody else thinks and what they feel and Whatever they have to interject about it.

00:11:37.721 --> 00:11:40.062
It can persuade you one way or another.

00:11:40.432 --> 00:11:43.922
You got to figure out if it's your thoughts or somebody else's, their thoughts, putting it in your head.

00:11:44.292 --> 00:11:47.121
So do you think a soft launch can help?

00:11:47.442 --> 00:11:49.522
The long term health of a relationship.

00:11:49.822 --> 00:11:58.542
I actually think it can and the reason being is that it allows the relationship to To grow and blossom as we say in its own time.

00:11:58.552 --> 00:12:16.636
There's no pressure It helps each partner prioritize their bond and communication focusing on each other versus, focusing on Other world, other families, societies, social medias, pressures, whatever that is, it really creates a strong foundation for your relationship's future.

00:12:16.846 --> 00:12:26.746
I usually recommend this when you're dating with kids, I want you to make sure you and this person really get along, can really connect.

00:12:26.767 --> 00:12:31.157
Yeah, before you introduce them to a child who is going to connect immediately.

00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:32.619
you want to wait.

00:12:32.629 --> 00:12:35.469
And so a lot of people will wait like a year.

00:12:35.839 --> 00:12:43.458
I even have friends that they've gone through and after they've decided they want to introduce them to the kids, they introduce them to their ex partner first.

00:12:43.884 --> 00:12:44.774
Out of respect.

00:12:44.793 --> 00:12:49.614
And I'm like, Ooh, that's a good one because their kids are going to be around this person.

00:12:49.923 --> 00:12:50.504
I've seen that.

00:12:50.533 --> 00:12:56.533
And that is so super healthy for the whole family because it shows mutual respect.

00:12:56.543 --> 00:13:02.119
Not that I need, your ex's permission, but it just says, Hey, this is who I'm going to be bringing around the kids.

00:13:02.208 --> 00:13:05.428
And this and we've been dating for a long time, and I think that is really cool.

00:13:05.428 --> 00:13:09.538
And that's why a soft launch can be a really good thing, especially when kids are involved.

00:13:09.589 --> 00:13:16.408
Yeah, especially when you're older and dating and there's so many other people like involved in who it is going to affect.

00:13:16.448 --> 00:13:19.239
I think that can be very healthy and very mature.

00:13:19.458 --> 00:13:19.658
Mm hmm.

00:13:19.989 --> 00:13:24.068
So Randy, Is there ever a right time to transition from a soft to a hard launch?

00:13:24.068 --> 00:13:24.349
Like, how

00:13:24.349 --> 00:13:24.999
does that work?

00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:33.698
Just like with everything that we were mentioned before, it's really deeply personal and it really varies between your relationship and the couple that is going through this.

00:13:34.149 --> 00:13:38.629
So some people might not ever want to move into a hard launch and that's okay.

00:13:38.629 --> 00:13:40.989
It's about what feels right for you and your partner.

00:13:40.999 --> 00:13:48.548
Like my sister in law and her, I say husband, but they've been together since they were like 17 and they have never been married.

00:13:48.668 --> 00:13:52.428
And they have three kids together and they're, let's see, how old am I?

00:13:52.828 --> 00:13:54.568
They're like in their late forties now.

00:13:54.568 --> 00:13:57.068
And so everybody their whole life was like, when are you going to get married?

00:13:57.099 --> 00:13:57.938
When are you going to get married?

00:13:57.938 --> 00:13:58.910
When are you And they were like, we're

00:13:58.910 --> 00:13:59.003
not.

00:13:59.003 --> 00:14:03.828
And you don't owe anybody an explanation about why you will or will not get married.

00:14:03.828 --> 00:14:04.778
It's no one's business.

00:14:04.778 --> 00:14:06.208
That's your personal choice.

00:14:06.359 --> 00:14:06.678
Right.

00:14:06.688 --> 00:14:06.889
It's

00:14:06.928 --> 00:14:09.028
just what feels right for you and your partner.

00:14:09.028 --> 00:14:10.769
You don't need, like we said.

00:14:11.104 --> 00:14:15.724
To worry about what society expects or how people want to put you into a box.

00:14:16.203 --> 00:14:24.203
So just how do you talk to your partner about whether you want to have like a, maybe a soft launch into your relationship or like a hard launch.

00:14:24.203 --> 00:14:26.224
And I feel again, this comes back to boundaries.

00:14:26.644 --> 00:14:27.374
It is open

00:14:27.374 --> 00:14:29.234
communication and boundaries.

00:14:29.323 --> 00:14:31.583
Share your feelings, tell them what you're looking for.

00:14:31.594 --> 00:14:32.634
Listen to theirs.

00:14:32.874 --> 00:14:39.634
figure out what each of you would like and what you're both comfortable with, because that is what's going to be good.

00:14:39.644 --> 00:14:44.879
If you go in and you're like, I want to wait a bit and your partner's like, but I want to put it online.

00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:45.609
Are you hiding me?

00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:48.999
Well, no, but explain why you want to do it.

00:14:49.009 --> 00:14:49.769
I want to wait.

00:14:49.798 --> 00:14:51.599
I don't want the pressure of everything.

00:14:51.599 --> 00:14:53.548
I'm enjoying where we're at right now.

00:14:53.859 --> 00:14:58.739
There is something so sweet about that very beginning connection and getting to know somebody.

00:14:58.859 --> 00:15:00.078
And let's be honest as women,

00:15:00.078 --> 00:15:11.879
a lot of time, well, me who, when I was younger, I would be love bombed by somebody and kind of feel pressured into kind of hard launching this relationship and then realize Oh shit, this was not.

00:15:11.958 --> 00:15:18.928
And then you have to explain to everybody, like why this didn't work out and this person really shouldn't be in your life.

00:15:18.948 --> 00:15:27.038
So I think there's a lot to be said with kind of, keeping it, on the download till you figure out if this, person is really the right person for you and your family.

00:15:27.198 --> 00:15:27.999
Exactly.

00:15:27.999 --> 00:15:29.038
This is a team effort.

00:15:29.078 --> 00:15:35.849
A relationship is a team and you both have to make a decision and maybe they're not going to like your family and you don't care.

00:15:36.412 --> 00:15:38.741
so you just don't want to put them into that pressure.

00:15:38.851 --> 00:15:40.961
You don't want them to, Oh, don't meet my family yet.

00:15:40.981 --> 00:15:41.701
Don't meet my family.

00:15:41.711 --> 00:15:42.902
Not that my, not mine.

00:15:42.912 --> 00:15:46.022
I'm just saying, there could be so many different reasons.

00:15:46.062 --> 00:15:46.371
Right.

00:15:46.381 --> 00:15:48.932
But if you don't communicate, you won't know.

00:15:48.981 --> 00:15:50.902
And so communication is key,

00:15:51.001 --> 00:15:51.761
exactly.

00:15:51.782 --> 00:15:52.101
Okay.

00:15:52.152 --> 00:15:55.111
Randy, do all relationships go through these launch phases?

00:15:55.741 --> 00:15:56.381
Not at all.

00:15:56.392 --> 00:15:58.251
These are just concepts.

00:15:58.251 --> 00:15:59.272
They're just ideas.

00:15:59.282 --> 00:16:03.611
There's tools to frame the dynamic of making a relationship public.

00:16:03.621 --> 00:16:06.029
You don't have to Yeah, this isn't the DSM.

00:16:06.029 --> 00:16:07.402
This is not actually a diagnosis.

00:16:08.476 --> 00:16:13.524
Social media, jargon, like you don't have to put any type of label.

00:16:13.524 --> 00:16:14.634
You don't have to soft launch.

00:16:14.634 --> 00:16:15.673
You don't have to hard launch.

00:16:15.673 --> 00:16:17.173
You don't have to medium launch.

00:16:17.173 --> 00:16:22.364
You don't have to, you don't have to launch, like there was, was that movie failure to launch?

00:16:22.364 --> 00:16:22.734
Yeah.

00:16:23.104 --> 00:16:29.283
And so your journey is your own and what matters most is what feels right.

00:16:29.594 --> 00:16:33.754
for both you and your partner and, your immediate family.

00:16:33.764 --> 00:16:41.104
And that is the most important thing to remember about relationships and launching these phases.

00:16:41.394 --> 00:16:41.903
Exactly.

00:16:41.903 --> 00:16:47.693
So ultimately what I'm hearing you say is that how we share our relationships is is a personal choice.

00:16:47.783 --> 00:17:00.833
It may be influenced by a lot of factors, but if we can respect each other and support each other's choice, we can create a more compassionate and understanding community, whether that's online, whether that's with anybody.

00:17:01.134 --> 00:17:14.119
At the core of a healthy relationship, really what is at the essence is that mutual respect, love, understanding, support, communication, no matter what the outside world doesn't matter.

00:17:14.170 --> 00:17:16.470
That's what is at the core of that.

00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:21.805
We hope this discussion has really provided some clarity and encouragement Yeah.

00:17:22.315 --> 00:17:25.144
Your own relationship journey, whether that's hard or soft.

00:17:28.095 --> 00:17:33.785
Remember to take care of your mental health and support each other, whether that's you're supporting hard or soft.

00:17:34.494 --> 00:17:34.884
Okay.

00:17:35.174 --> 00:17:38.335
We'll, we'll, we'll catch you next time on our next podcast.

00:17:38.884 --> 00:17:39.125
Bye.

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