It feels like the internet coins a nifty little phrase every other week these days, with 'sunset clause' being the latest one to add to our ever-expanding social media buzzword dictionaries.
The new dating trend is in good company, joining the 'low-vibrational boyfriends' and the dreaded 'swag gap relationships' on the list of many zany new terms, but what on earth does it actually mean, and why are young singletons so taken by it?
Well, it's apparently all come about as a pushback against dating app fatigue - AKA feeling beyond done with the relentless emotional burnout, exhaustion, and disillusionment caused by the repetitive and often impersonal nature of online dating.
To remedy this, singles are keen on finding ways to shrink this 'dating limbo' space between first matching with a potential suitor and having the 'what are we' conversation after a few dates.
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Taking inspiration from legal lingo, a 'sunset clause' effectively allows young daters to engage in these romantic endeavours with a timeline in mind to ensure nothing fizzles out in this awkward in-between space.
According to the UK parliament, a 'sunset clause' is 'a provision in a Bill that gives it an expiry date once it is passed into law'.
So, when used in the dating sense, it's basically having an 'expiry date' in mind before engaging in anything.
Cosmopolitan India explains that the 'sunset clause' is about 'setting a clear timeframe for dating before checking in on where things are actually headed'.
In short, it's the complete antithesis to the breezier, 'let's just see how things go' approach, which, for many people, only ends up in unfulfilling situationships.
While it may feel like you're going against every dating 101 rule, the outlet explains that some people prefer to 'decide upfront how long they want to actively date before making a call'.
And in this era of 'ghosting', 'getting zombied' and 'breadcrumbing' - who can blame people for wanting a bit more open and honest communication?
"For Gen Z, who openly talk about boundaries and mental health, this approach feels practical," Cosmo explains. "It encourages honest conversations earlier on and reduces the pressure to stay stuck in connections that do not align with long-term goals."
Some people may not be fans of the 'sunset clause' over worries it could make casual dating feel too rushed and formal, while others will no doubt champion the idea as a way to ensure you're looking after your boundaries and energy.
What do you make of it?
Topics: Dating, Dating trends, Life, Explained, Sex and Relationships
Rhiannon Ingle