#701 When you hit the point where you’re comfortable farting around each other – 1000 Awesome Things

Every relationship has milestones. Some are cinematic (first “I love you”). Some are logistical (first shared Costco run where you buy a 48-pack of something you don’t even like). And then there are the milestones that arrive quietly, like a raccoon in the night… carrying a trombone.

Today’s “awesome thing” is #701: the moment you realize you’re comfortable farting around each other. It’s funny because it’s true, and it’s true because your nervous system has finally stopped treating your partner like a panel interview. This isn’t a guide to being gross on purpose. It’s a look at what this oddly specific moment can meanabout trust, emotional safety, humor, boundaries, and the deeply human relief of being able to exhale in every possible sense.

Why this moment feels like a relationship level-up

Let’s call it what it is: a tiny, ridiculous sign that you’re no longer performing. Early dating often comes with “presentation mode”we edit ourselves, manage impressions, and try to appear effortless while secretly doing advanced calculus like: How far is the bathroom? Do I have enough time? Should I fake a phone call?

Hitting the “we can be real” phase is a shift from impression management to authenticity. You’re signaling: “I trust you with the unpolished parts of me.” And that matters, because real intimacy isn’t just candlelight and playlists. It’s being seen in the moments that aren’t cutetired mornings, stress sweat, ugly crying, and yes, the occasional surprise trumpet from the undercarriage.

The not-so-secret ingredient: psychological safety (but make it romantic)

In psychology, “psychological safety” often refers to environments where people can take interpersonal risks without fear of humiliation. In couples, it shows up as emotional safety: you can admit awkward things, be imperfect, and still feel accepted. That’s why “comfortable farting” sometimes gets filed under “oddly wholesome.”

Embarrassment is a powerful social emotionso powerful that we go out of our way to avoid it. When we do something embarrassing, we’re often scanning for signs of rejection. If the response is kindness (or gentle laughter that doesn’t sting), your brain learns: this person is safe. Over time, that safety expands into bigger conversationsneeds, insecurities, money stress, family stuff, the whole emotional Costco aisle.

But… is farting actually a “sign of a healthy relationship”?

Sometimes. Not always. A healthier framing is this: the ability to be unguarded can be a sign of trust. But the choice to stay polite can also be a sign of care and respect. Different couples have different norms, cultures, sensitivities, and sensory thresholds. One person’s “we’re comfy” is another person’s “I am filing a complaint with the Romance Department.”

So rather than treating #701 as a universal goal, treat it as data. If both people feel relaxed and unashamed, it can reflect closeness. If one person feels grossed out, disrespected, or anxious, it’s a cue for boundariesnot a referendum on love.

Humor is relationship gluewhen it’s the right kind

Couples who do well long-term aren’t the ones who never mess up. They’re the ones who repair wellespecially after awkward moments. Relationship research and therapy frameworks frequently highlight repair attempts (small actions that stop negativity from escalating). Humor can be one of those repair tools when it’s used to soften tension and reconnect, not to humiliate.

Two types of “relationship humor” (only one is worth keeping)

Affiliative humor is the “we’re on the same team” kind. It’s playful, inclusive, and it makes both people feel closer. Think: a quick grin, a “wow, okay, the dog looked offended,” and moving on.

Aggressive or contempt-y humor is the “I’m joking but actually I’m judging you” kind. It’s sarcasm, mockery, or “can’t you take a joke?” energy. Even if it gets a laugh, it can erode safety over timeespecially around bodily stuff that’s already vulnerable.

The real lesson of #701: intimacy is built in unglamorous moments

The older we get, the more we realize romance isn’t sustained by perfect lighting. It’s sustained by day-to-day humanity: chores, stress, illness, aging, weird digestive phases, and the occasional surprise sound effect during a quiet movie scene.

When a couple can move through minor embarrassment with warmth, they’re practicing a micro-skill that scales: “We can handle discomfort together.” That’s huge. It’s the same emotional muscle you use when you’re navigating bigger life eventsjob loss, grief, infertility, parenting chaos, or health scares.

Quick reality check: everyone farts (and that’s not just a comedy fact)

From a basic health standpoint, intestinal gas is normal. It’s produced as your body digests food, and it can also increase when you swallow more air (eating fast, drinking carbonated beverages, chewing gum, using straws, etc.). Certain foods (beans, some dairy, certain fruits/vegetables, high-fiber foods) can increase gas too. Stress and some digestive conditions can also contribute.

The key is the difference between normal gas and gas that’s a problem. If you’re dealing with persistent pain, big changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, unexplained weight loss, vomiting, or symptoms that worsen over time, it’s worth checking in with a clinician. This article is not medical advicejust a reminder that your relationship milestone shouldn’t double as a medical mystery tour.

“Fart etiquette” for adults who like each other

If you want to keep #701 adorable instead of traumatizing, here’s a simple code that respects both intimacy and basic air quality:

1) Use the “both people laughing” rule

If it’s funny to both of you, great. If one person is cringing, that’s not “they’re uptight,” that’s “we need a boundary.” Humor is only bonding when it’s shared.

2) Don’t weaponize it

No “revenge farts,” no “Dutch oven” ambushes (unless your relationship is built on mutual chaos and explicit consent), and no turning bodily functions into dominance. The goal is comfort, not conquest.

3) Keep a little romance on the shelf for later

Being real doesn’t mean abandoning courtesy. You can be deeply intimate and still choose the bathroom sometimes. Many couples naturally land in a middle zone: accidents happen, bodies are bodies, but intentional disrespect isn’t cute.

4) Practice “repair,” not shame

If someone’s embarrassed, the winning move is reassurance. A calm “you’re fine” or a gentle joke that includes you both can turn a cringe moment into closeness. Shaming turns it into distance.

How to talk about it without making it weird (impossible challenge, but we’ll try)

If you’re mismatchedone person is casual, the other is sensitiveuse a quick, neutral script: “Hey, can we set a small boundary around bathroom stuff? I’m not mad, it just affects my comfort.” That’s it. No TED Talk required.

If you’re the person who’s more casual, you can respond like an emotionally mature legend: “Totally. Thanks for telling me. What works for you?” This is what respect looks like: taking a small request seriously, without turning it into a referendum on intimacy.

If you never reach #701, your relationship isn’t doomed

Let’s be crystal clear: you don’t have to fart in front of your partner to be “real.” Some people value privacy. Some people have sensory sensitivities. Some people grew up in homes where bodily stuff was a huge source of shame. Others just genuinely prefer a little mystery. That’s allowed.

The real “awesome thing” is not the gas. It’s the safety: the shared understanding that bodies are human, boundaries are valid, and closeness doesn’t require either person to feel uncomfortable.

What #701 says about love (in one sentence)

When you hit the point where you’re comfortable farting around each other, it can mean you’ve built enough trust to be imperfect togetherand you’ve learned how to meet imperfection with humor, kindness, and respect.

of Extremely Relatable #701 Experiences

Because sometimes you don’t need theory. You need scenes. You need the little moments that make you think, “Oh no… that’s us.” Here are a few classic #701-style vignettesequal parts embarrassing and weirdly sweet.

1) The “first accidental one” (aka the jump-scare)

It happens during a quiet movie scene. You’re cuddled up, fully convinced you are a sophisticated adult who only produces lavender-scented air. Then your body betrays you with a sound effect from a 1930s cartoon. Time stops. You freeze. Your partner pauses the movie like a crime scene investigator.

If your partner laughs kindlyand you survive without shameyou just unlocked a new level of closeness. The moment becomes a shared inside joke, not a scar. Later, when bigger awkward stuff comes up, your nervous system remembers: “We’ve handled worse. We’ve handled… that.”

2) The road trip treaty

Long drives create conditions no romance novel has ever prepared us for. There’s fast food, gas station coffee, and the kind of sitting that makes your digestive system start brainstorming. Eventually someone says, “Okay, windows down is not optional anymore.”

A healthy couple doesn’t pretend it’s not happening. They negotiate. They create a treaty. “No judgement, but you owe me a warning.” “Fair. Also, I’m choosing the playlist as damages.” Somehow, your relationship becomes less about perfection and more about teamwork, and that’s the whole point.

3) The “I’m sick and all dignity is cancelled” week

Illness is the great equalizer. One person is wrapped in a blanket burrito, surviving on soup and regret. The other is doing little caretaker missions: water, crackers, meds, checking the thermometer like it’s a stock ticker.

During this week, the relationship stops being performative. You see the real stuff: fatigue, vulnerability, weird sounds, and the unglamorous realities of bodies trying their best. If you can be gentle hereif you can keep it kind and not cruelyou’re building a relationship that can actually last.

4) The “new apartment” illusion

The first weeks in a new place, you both act like the apartment has rules. Like the walls are listening. Like flatulence is illegal under the lease agreement. You’ll tiptoe to the bathroom, run the fan, and pretend the hallway air is simply… artisanal.

Then one day, someone forgets to be nervous. Nothing ends. No one breaks up. The floor doesn’t open up. And in that quiet, anticlimactic moment, you realize the relationship has shifted from “trying to impress” to “trying to live.” That’s the real milestone. That’s #701.

5) The ultimate green flag: the kind response

The sweetest version of #701 isn’t the joke. It’s the reaction. It’s a partner who can say, “You’re okay,” when you’re mortified. It’s someone who doesn’t keep score, doesn’t mock you later, doesn’t turn your embarrassment into a personality trait.

Because the best relationships aren’t the ones where nothing awkward happens. They’re the ones where awkward things happen and you still feel safe, loved, and respected. Even if the soundtrack is… unfortunate.