Have you and your partner ever contemplated the idea of a non-monogamous relationship? Do you find yourself curious about what non-monogamy entails? To make an informed decision about whether non-monogamy aligns with both you and your partner's needs, it's essential to grasp the dynamics of such relationships and their potential impact on your connection.
Non-monogamy encompasses various relationship structures, each with its own characteristics and nuances.
Open relationship serves as an umbrella term for a spectrum of arrangements, including swinging, monogamish setups, polyamory, or simply being open to other connections.
Individuals may identify with these labels differently, reflecting the diversity within non-monogamous dynamics.
Swinging involves singles or committed partners engaging in social or organized sexual activities with others, often referred to as "the lifestyle."
Polyamory denotes the capacity and choice to love multiple people simultaneously, fostering consensual relationships with one or both partners involved in other connections. Polyamory is Ancient Greek for "many loves."
Relationship anarchy advocates for relationships free from predetermined rules, emphasizing mutual agreements and fluid definitions of intimacy.
Hierarchical Poly Hierarchical polyamory usually involves a couple. They're each other's number one, emergency contact, and "primary partner," but they can see other people (secondary partners). And those second partners better know their place. Kidding! But really, hierarchical polyamory derives its name from the fact that there is a hierarchy of partners, and one comes first.
Solo Poly In solo poly, all partners are considered equal. Sure, there are differences in each connection, and every relationship is unique, but if a solo poly person must name anyone as their primary partner, they usually name themselves.
These configurations illustrate the breadth of possibilities within non-monogamous relationships, each offering a unique journey of exploration and connection. However, embarking on a non-monogamous path isn't without its challenges. Feelings of jealousy, insecurity, and competition may arise, necessitating honest communication and introspection.
Jealousy, though daunting, can serve as a catalyst for deeper understanding and connection with your partner. Exploring underlying emotions can lead to a stronger, more authentic bond.
Competitiveness within non-monogamy can breed resentment and distress if not addressed openly. Acknowledging each other's feelings and concerns is crucial to maintaining a healthy relationship dynamic. Furthermore, shifts in desires and boundaries may occur over time, requiring ongoing reassessment and mutual agreement. Ensuring that both partners feel secure and fulfilled is essential for the sustainability of non-monogamous relationships.
Navigating the complexities of non-monogamy may prompt introspection and self-discovery. Recognizing and addressing personal fears and insecurities is vital for fostering growth and resilience within the relationship.Ultimately, the decision to explore non-monogamy should stem from a thorough understanding of individual needs, desires, and relationship dynamics. Open and transparent communication lays the foundation for a fulfilling and harmonious journey.
Some common questions we hear about polyamory, swinging or open relationships
1. Is having sex with someone else really cheating, just with another name? Not at all. In monogamous relationships, cheating is an act of betrayal and breach of the marital contract. In an open relationship all partners agree to the arrangement, and usually establish rules around this, so there is mutual consent.
2. What if my partner falls in love with someone else? In some poly relationships, this is totally OK! Again, it entirely depends on your personal rules. The "amory" half of the word is important here: polyamory isn't just about having sex with multiple partners. Often it is about forming deep attachments to them and often loving more than one person at a time. This can become complicated, which is a real reason why each partner should be able to express feelings honestly. However, monogamy doesn’t act as a safeguard against your partner becoming interested in someone else. It can happen whenever, regardless of how many rules you may try to put in place to prevent it.
3. How do people do this without feeling jealous? Sometimes jealousy arises as it does in single partner relationships. The best way to counter it is by making sure everyone involved feels valued, and also by examining and talking about what's causing the jealousy. There may be blocks in the primary relationship, so looking deeper can help everyone empathize with the meaning underneath the jealous feelings.
4. What if I just want to be a swinger and not have another relationship, but my partner wants an open relationship? Coming to terms with an arrangement that you both are satisfied with, while being able to share your feelings about it, is the first step. You may see this differently, so explore what your desires, motivations, hopes and expectations are about your choice. If your relationship is your priority, then invest as much time as it takes talking about the deeper meaning.
5. How do I know I am not just dissatisfied with my current relationship? It’s a tough question to answer. But if you’ve gotten this far and you, and maybe your partner, find the idea of exploring polyamory attractive, it’s worth asking. Step one is to evaluate your own relationship and begin talking about what this means to you. Explore if you feel loved by your partner, are you happy with your sex life, do you want to leave the relationship but can’t admit that, is there something in your relationship you are afraid of. It’s imperative that each person feels trustworthy, connected and prioritized before having sex with someone else. If this isn’t the case, start working on your relationship first and see what happens.
6. If I have found the right person, why can’t I settle down? Many people feel like the constraints of a monogamous relationship just couldn’t ever work with who they are. Many poly and open couples have deeply honest relationships with their loved ones that are based on what they actually want to share with each other, rather than following a script or a contract. Honoring what is true for you and being vulnerable with your partner can help you answer what “settling down” means to each of you. From there you are able to define what you want and what that looks like.
7. What kind of rules are good to have in this type of relationship? Rules create structure and security, no matter what type of relationship you choose to have. If you let go of the standard rules of monogamy, what does the couple refer to? It can feel chaotic or threatening if something isn’t in place that you can depend on and trust that your partner is on board with.
Treat others with respect. You will hear this repeatedly in the community of people that choose to have relations outside of their primary one. This includes behaving with compassion towards everyone involved in the relationship, including the partners of your partners.
Every person has chosen this for a reason, and it’s not fair to question or ridicule that decision.
Don’t try to force relationships to be something they are not.
Don’t try to decide in advance what the relationships “should” look like and then press other people into your mold. Relationships work best when allowed the space to be what they organically are.
Don’t try to impose yourself on your partner, or other people.
Don’t assume that you can dictate what your partner can do, think, or feel. There is a distinction between asking for what you need and telling others what to do, and that distinction is important.
Understand when things are not about you. Your partners and their other partners have their own relationships, with their own experiences and their own needs, and that’s OK. It is not a reflection on you and it doesn’t mean your partner is trying to replace you or get rid of you, it doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with you, something lacking in you, or that you are not enough.
Learn to recognize your own feelings. Develop the tools to understand your emotional responses. Recognize that because you feel something, it doesn’t necessarily mean someone else has MADE you feel it. Your feelings are not the absolute truth for your loved one, they belong to you.
At Whole Health Counseling Center, we provide a safe and supportive space for couples exploring non-monogamy. Our experienced therapists offer personalized guidance and resources to navigate the complexities of non-monogamous relationships, fostering understanding, growth, and connection.
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