What is cuffing season? Autumn's questionable dating trend

The nights are getting darker and the air is crisping up, which can only mean one thing...its the start of cuffing season!

Each year as autumn befalls us so too does this questionable dating trend. But for those of you not in the know, what is cuffing season? And why should we be wary?

What is cuffing season?

In short: as the temperatures begin to fall, the desire to snuggle up with someone on these chilly evenings begins to grow!

Although upfront this doesn't seem to raise any dating red flags, cuffing season finds many people shacked up in temporary (and often unfulfilling) relationships as they fall victim to the mounting pressure of finding someone to celebrate (or commiserate) the upcoming holiday season with.

Does this mean that it is impossible to find a compatible partner now?

The pros and cons of cuffing

With hot girl summer winding down and the thought of endless outdoor activities becoming less appealing, cuffing essentially serves as a shortcut into the cosy and comfy phase of a relationship.

Now, cuffing up is not entirely terrible, but a very natural desire for warmth on an emotional and physical level. The bonds created during cuffing can seem incredibly relaxing and reassuring, and might in fact create a good base for a short-term relationship to grow into long-term ones.

However, couples that rush through the 'getting to know each other stage' and jump into a highly intimate setting might find that their relationship doesn't have the strongest foundation later down the road, or might even, according to mindbodygreen, experience ghosting or realise that their partner is emotionally unavailable.

Am I cuffed up?

Wondering whether you've cuffed up in your new relationship? Here are some behaviours that couples caught up in cuffing season should be aware of:

• Are all your plans together low-key indoor activities?
• Are you more interested in cuddling than talking?
• Do you fantasise about spending the holidays together but make no actual plans?
• Have you caught yourself using the phrase 'good enough for now'

Sources used:

Mind Body Green: 'Is Cuffing Season A Real Thing? 5 Things Experts Want You To Know'

Women's Health: 'What Is Cuffing Season And When Does It Start?'

Merriam Webster: 'When Is ‘Cuffing Season?’

Read more:

⋙ 'Hesidating' is one of 2022's biggest dating trends: What is it and is it really so bad?

⋙ Are you being cushioned? Here’s how to watch out for the toxic dating trend

⋙ Orbiting: The toxic dating trend worse than ghosting