Every text gives you butterflies, you're smiling all day long and you just can't wait to see each other again.

If you feel like this, you're likely still in the honeymoon period of a new relationship.

But despite everything seeming perfect, it could be doomed if you don't watch out for the things that could potentially ruin it in the long run.

DON'T AVOID SERIOUS DISCUSSIONS

As happy as you might be in your newly coupled up state, it's important not to avoid discussing the things that could affect the relationship later.

Don't avoid talking about your long-term goals and ambitions: Do you want to get married? Do you want kids?

They don't need to happen on the very first date, but shouldn't be avoided for too long.

Similarly, it's hard to mention the things that might annoy you about your new partner - whether it's an embarrassing pet name they have for you or their tendency to always be late - but it's better to discuss them now before it's too late.

DON'T TALK ABOUT YOUR EXES CONSTANTLY  

Talking about past relationships is often unavoidable, but in the early stages of a new one, it can do some serious damage.

Not only could it suggest that you're not over your ex, it could also make your or your new partner draw comparisons.

Heather and Eric Viets, who both have Master's degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and run , both agree that discussing past relationships is a major turn-off in a new one.

'What comes across when we babble about old boyfriends or girlfriends is that we are still hung up on them, that we don't have much of a life outside of relationships, or that we are not interested in the person to whom we are currently talking,' says Heather.

'If there is something you appreciate about an ex and see it in your current relationship, then you can praise the person you're now with without needing to mention the past person.' 

DON'T LIE  

Honesty is always the best policy and a new relationship is no different.

It's best to communicate openly about what you want rather than lie to avoid an argument, as it's just delaying the inevitable.

Even little white lies - like pretending to enjoy the same music or movies -  could lead to huge regrets if you end up forced to spend years putting up with something you hate.

'Many people feel that little white lies, which may spare their partner some grief, are okay, and in some cases that's true,' writes Dr Barton Goldsmith in

'But you can't have a culture of honesty in your relationship just some of the time.'

He adds: 'If you tend to omit or color the truth, so things look a better, it could actually damage your relationship at a core level.

'Trying to 'protect' your partner or just trying to avoid looking bad can create more trouble than it's worth.'