Suddenly, it’s that time of the year when all the committed people are sharing each other’s hoodies, posting cosy photos with their bae, or just sipping hot chocolate together. And some of you are just dreading opening Instagram while constantly thinking if you should download a dating app. Not only this, you might even be considering texting that one person who nearly bored you to death a few months ago. Congratulations, you’ve officially entered cuffing season. Are you also mistaking the driest conversations for romantic encounters? Here’s what you should know about cuffing in a relationship.

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What is cuffing season?

Cuffing season is the time when all the singles, even the commitment-phobic ones, crave a romantic relationship. The season typically runs from October to March, reaching its peak during the midwinter months. The chilly air, long nights, and everyone else looking (annoyingly) coupled up can make you feel all the more lonely. So, you crave comfort, warmth, and physical intimacy more than emotional connection.

But the cuffing season can also trick you into thinking that a lukewarm situationship is your soulmate. It’s less about compatibility and more about surviving the emotional chill of the season. Cute, yes. Long term? Debatable. So, before you get cosy with the next person you run into, here’s how to know if you’re just cuffing or actually connecting in a relationship.

1. You bonded way too fast

You clicked on day two, started sharing memes by day three, and have been talking every night since then. Don’t confuse this intensity for intimacy. If you’re trying to know them beyond their favourite colour, then there’s real chemistry going on.

2. You only hang out indoors

Are you both only planning indoor dates where you wanna get cosy, enjoy hot coffee together while watching a romcom? This is how you know that you are both only playing it safe, as you are not ready to experience the real world together.

3. Plenty of texts, but no real conversation

Your chat is full of each other’s whereabouts and brain rot reels till 1 am. But whenever the conversation starts to shift towards feelings, boundaries, or personal secrets, you both fall silent or change the topic. You should take this as a sign that you’re just cuffing in the relationship, not truly connecting.

4. They are just filling the void

Do you feel excited when they send you good morning texts, but feel instantly lonely when they get busy? Then you both might be talking to each other to fill the seasonal void and feel warm and comfortable. If you are genuinely interested in them, you wouldn’t need constant reassurance and you would feel complete within yourself.

5. You love the vibe, not the person

You adore the cuddles, good night calls, and cheesy texts, but is there something you really admire about their personality? If your mind goes blank after reading this, you might not be as into them as you think you are.

6. The future of this relationship seems blurred

Every serious relationship has a point where one of you asks, “So, what are we?” And you can only answer it calmly when you imagine a future together. But are you constantly avoiding this conversation or scared to even think about it? Is it embarrassing for you to tell your friends you’re seeing someone this winter season? Then you might not be sure about your bond with your cuffing partner, as you don’t see anything going on between you two after some time. And that’s how you know that you’re just cuffed to them to deal with the winter loneliness.

7. Cute gestures>>>thoughtful deeds

Weddings, Christmas and New Year, among other occasions, define the winter season in India. On these days, you might feel the pressure to gift them something, instead of making an effort with all your heart. Even on birthdays or if they’re feeling low, you feel the need to make a cute gesture instead of giving them something meaningful. If this is the case, chances are you’re not interested in them beyond the physical comfort they offer.

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