While you and your partner may be enjoying a steady and committed relationship for a long time, there is always a scope for monotony. Believe it or not, but going through the same routine, doing the same thing ought to make your life dull and boring. So, what do you do about it?
Did your partner ever suggest an open relationship? If yes, are you curious to know why does your partner want an open relationship? Well, here’s the deal.
We all have heard of "No Strings Attached" relationships where both the partners are only involved physically and not emotionally. It does sound confusing, but we hope that the article is of some help to you.
An open relationship is an interpersonal relationship wherein both the partners agree to be in a non-monogamous relationship. It implies that they agree to let their partner be involved with other people just for sexual favors.
Generally, an open relationship is when the partners agree to be engaged with two or more sexual partners occurring as short-term relationships like dating or long-term relationships like marriage.
Some people engage in open relationships with people (like celebrities or famous personalities) to enjoy the perks associated with fame, riches and luxe life. Others are inclined towards the same because they want to get intimate with multiple partners. Both the situations are suitable and can work, only if you are ready to face the minefields to overcome all the difficulties.
Going or not going into an open relationship should be a mutual decision involving both the partners. Letting your partner have multiple sexual partners could be exciting or exhausting.
While the idea of an open relationship does give rise to curiosity, it can have some serious repercussions too. We would say go for what you think is right for you.
But before you do it, just go through this list of conditions that need to be given a thought before you take the final plunge.
#1. Prepare Yourself
Being in a relationship for some time is obviously going to connect the two of you emotionally. Therefore the prospect of having sex outside the relationship could be mentally challenging. Both you and partner need to be prepared for it. Your relationship can be ruined if either of you were not exactly ready for the results.
#2. Test The Waters
Before directly jumping into an open relationship, you can always go for a trial experience. Both you and your partner can hook up with different partners for a night and share your experiences the next morning. If both of you are happy and excited for each other, then it’s a surefire hit; but if this conversation fills the air with jealousy and discomfort, you know that this is not happening.
#3. Be Clear About Your Reasons
If you and your partner have been thinking about an open relationship; it is better that you put everything on the table. Discuss the reasons which have made you think about it. It could be just lust or maybe a desperate need for change in your lifestyle. If you do not think about sleeping with someone else once you make love to your partner, then your brain just goes haywire when you are frisky. Do not go for an open relationship in such cases.
If you are okay with an open relationship, and your partner too wants to go for it, then here are some Do’s and Dont's that you need to follow when you put yourself out there:
#1. Nothing Changes In Your Relationship
An open relationship is a tricky one to handle. You are allowed to change your partners in bed, but you still need to keep the relationship the same. Sounds crazy right? But it is the first rule while you make your relationship open. Don’t let sex get in your way. Let your partner know that you still feel the same for them and the air is still filled with love and attraction when you are with your partner.
#2. Communicate
Make it a point to discuss all the people that you sleep with your partner, and encourage them to do the same. You can always voice your thoughts if you have issues with any of your partner’s sexual partner. Talk to each other and keep sharing your experiences if you want to sustain this sexual arrangement.
#3. Stay Protected
When you are sharing your bed with multiple partners, it is important that you get checked for any sexual diseases. Always use protection to avoid any unwanted problems. Be aware that your actions will definitely affect your partner’s life too, so be sure of whatever you do.
#4. Set Your Boundaries
When you and your partner have decided to go the unconventional way, better define the things that bother you and the things that don’t. You can always list down the ‘rules’ that both of you will abide by to avoid future complications. Talk openly to each other and discuss every detail until both of you are satisfied with the solutions.
#5. Your Partner Will Always Be Your First Preference
No matter what, you need to make your partner your first preference, always and forever. They should be the first one that you think about when planning to party or attend an event. Never make them feel less important or insignificant.
#6. Set A Time Frame
You can always discuss the time frames when it comes to spending time with your lovers. Choose if what works for you and whatever gives you enough time to spend with your partner. They need to be assured that you’ll always choose them over any of their other lovers.
#1. Do Not Hide The Details
An open relationship is a thin line between love, lust and a lot of trusts. By hushing things up, you’ll only end up making your partner feel insecure. This could damage the trust in the relationship. Do not hide any details when you are in a sexual agreement with your partner.
#2. Don’t Fall In Love
This one is the hardest part of being in an open relationship because you cannot fall in love with other people when you are already committed to a relationship. Indulge in physical intimacy but do not stay to cuddle with your sex buddy. Just remember that it is pure sex and nothing else.
#3. Do Not Have Mutual Friends
By getting into an open relationship, you have already been bold enough. Now, if you wish to continue enjoying the perks, just do not involve any mutual friends. Always look for partners who are away from your or your partner’s social groups.
#4. Do Not Publicize It
Though your partner is well aware of your other sexual partners, do not tell your friends with benefits about it. Make it look like an affair and not something that your partner knows about. Doing so will prevent any harm or humiliation that your sex buddy can cause to your partner and you. Keep it a well-guarded secret between you and your partner.
#5. Don’t Be Jealous
Jealousy is a natural phenomenon and cannot be avoided under any circumstances, yet we want to talk about it. Do not be jealous of any of your partner’s sexual partners. Jealousy in a sexual agreement is a big NO.
#6. Don’t Bring A Lover Home
Well, it is obvious that your partner is aware of your lovers, but they definitely don’t want to see them. A sexual agreement does not give you the right to bring any of your sexual partners home. Your home is where you spend time with your actual partner, and they would never appreciate sharing that sacred space with any of your sex buddies.
An open relationship can be super fun and exciting and can even help you and your partner to rekindle the fire in your relationship, or it can work just the opposite; depending on how you go about it.
Be sure that you really want to do something so bold and unconventional to save your relationship because if you break the rules, you can end up separating from your partner.
Do you think that an open relationship is worth a try? Let us know in the comment section below.
10 Opinions
Share
