NRE (new relationship energy) — the intense feeling of infatuation, euphoria and excitement that arises at the beginning of a new connection.
What it means
NRE is familiar to almost everyone: at the start of a relationship you want to be together constantly, your thoughts are occupied with the new person, and the world around seems brighter and more alive. This state is largely tied to biochemistry — a surge of hormones and neurotransmitters responsible for attraction and attachment. Over time this rush naturally subsides, giving way to calmer, more stable intimacy; this is not a cooling off but a normal transition. In non-monogamy, NRE comes up especially often: it is important not to neglect your existing connections and commitments while novelty sweeps you up. Being aware of NRE helps you avoid impulsive decisions at the peak of infatuation.
Example
Sergei has just started dating someone new and noticed that he thinks about them in all his free time — a classic expression of NRE. He reminds himself not to forget his long-term partner and to keep their familiar, warm rituals.
Related terms
Compersion, Polyamory, Metamour
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