The time has come: it’s cuffing season. Our hot girl summer has come and gone, and the urge to find a partner to hunker down with for those cold winter nights grows. 

Depending on your relationship status, hearing the term ‘cuffing season’ can inspire despair. No single person wants to be burdened with questions like ‘Do you have a special someone yet?’ during the festive season, so people often turn to the apps as a solution. As a result, cuffing season can lead to all sorts of ‘situationships’ – some great, some perhaps less so. 

Desperate times don’t always have to call for desperate measures. But, Bumble’s sex and relationships expert Dr Caroline West explains that people often feel swayed by seasonality when it comes to dating.

“Sometimes our views on dating are influenced by the cultural zeitgeist – a great example is how Christmas romcoms make us think we should couple up in winter as we see many portrayals of wholesome holiday romances,” she says. “Ultimately, you can find a spark at any time of year. While autumn is a popular time for dating, no one should feel pressured to do so unless it feels right for them.” 

If you’re looking to find someone in the coming months, West outlines three of the most common situationships that you could find yourself in this cuffing season, and how to navigate them.

The safety net situationship

As the nights turn darker and the weather turns colder, people often feel the pressure to be with someone. This can lead to some single people running into the arms of an old flame.

“Certain high profile celebrities have already kicked this off, showcasing a new cuffing season trend of ‘safety-netting’ – a Bumble coined term about rekindling old flames to provide comfort. This can be particularly common when we head home for the holidays and bump into previous partners,” West says. 

Though you might be tempted to run back to your ex during the next couple of months, Bumble’s recent app data shows that over half (58%) of single people are more open to dating beyond their usual type – meaning there is a desire for more exploratory dating

“There’s no need to fall back on your ‘safety net’ just because it’s cuffing season. It can be empowering to use this time to prioritise you, so consider taking yourself on some solo dates as a treat,” West says.

The promising situationship

Sometimes a situationship has the potential to become something more. 

West explains: “Many people don’t start their cuffing season situationship thinking it’s going to be long term, but sometimes… it just ends up that way. It’s important to remember that just because a relationship started in cuffing season, it doesn’t mean it needs to end then too.”

If you’re catching deeper feelings, it’s worth putting your cards on the table and being upfront with the person you’re dating. Clarity is key. 

The shielding situationship

When you’re single, the worst question you want to hear is: “Have you found someone yet?” No, Uncle Paul, I haven’t met the love of my life yet. It’s often this pressure from relatives that can make single people feel pressured into bringing a partner home.

“Bumble’s research shows that during the festive season, more than one in three (38%) Gen Z and millennials say that friends and family have made them feel bad for not bringing a significant other to events,” says West. “This pressure can lead to people entering a situationship just so they don’t feel embarrassed in front of family or friends, otherwise known as ‘shielding’ according to Bumble.”

West suggests taking your time rather than rushing into something for the sake of it: “Simply let your family or friends know that you are intentionally dating, taking your time to find someone that aligns with your values rather than rushing into a relationship.”

Images: Getty