5 Questions To Ask Before You Enter An Open Relationship
Different couples have different reasons to open their relationship. For some, it is taken into consideration with the hope that it will rekindle the fire. While for others, it is a matter of practicality. Some are looking for varied sex, while some believe that they can have different kinds of love
with different people. Whatever your reason may be, know that open relationships are no joke. If not done thoughtfully, consciously, and responsibly, they can damage, if not break, your relationship and your sense of self.
Before you and your partner enter an open arrangement, ask yourself and each other these questions:
Honesty is the foundation of any relationship. But, when you decide to open your relationship, honesty becomes paramount. Are you two able to easily talk to each other? Do you have secrets, or topics that are taboo? Do you trust each other to be honest? Are you comfortable sharing anything, and everything? Because this will matter. If openness is important in a monogamous relationship, it is absolutely essential in an open one.
Is it sex, or love? Or, both? When you agree that you can be with other people, what are the boundaries that you are setting, if any? Does your open relationship allow you to date multiple people, or just have sexual partners? There is a difference between the two. Make sure you are clear about what you want, and that you discuss it with each other. You may want different things, and that's okay. What's important is to keep each other in the loop, and stick to what you say.
"We'll just go with the flow," is setting yourself up for failure. You are deliberately putting your relationship at risk by inviting other people into it. Without certain basic rules, you leave room for a lot of misunderstanding. Decide how often are you allowed to see other people? Do you bring them home? Who is off limits (exes, friends, colleagues etc)?
Jealousy is a part of being human, and an open relationship is a hotbed for the said emotion. You have to have some idea, or a plan of sorts, about how you will handle being jealous yourself, or a jealous partner.
Coming out as a part of an open relationship has its challenges. Most people don't understand how it works, or why one would do it. Many don't understand the importance of rules. Frankly, unless you are planning to have multiple wives or husbands, the only people who really need to know are the people involved. But, this is a conversation that you and your partner need to have, and be on the same page about.
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