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Navigating Non-Monogamy in a Committed Relationship

Non-monogamy is a challenging issue. While it’s important to seek support and support systems in your relationship, there are still some things to watch out for. When you’re in a committed relationship, and one person decides they want to move on with someone else, it can be scary to come out and say so. This article will give some tips for Navigating non-monogamy in a committed relationship.

Several tips for Navigating non-monogamy in a committed relationship. 

Talk About It

Talking about the relationship you are having is important in navigating non-monogamy in a committed relationship. You’ll be unable to navigate a poly relationship without talking, so make sure you start with the right conversation. It helps if you already have some history of talking through feelings and issues that arise in your relationship because then you’ll have an easier time opening up about what this means for your future together.

If that’s not the case, if one or both of you are new to being non-monogamous then these conversations will take even more time and patience on your part.

It’s important to talk about what you want, don’t want, and expect from each other and any outside partners (or potential partners). You’ll also want to discuss boundaries: things like how often sex happens within the primary relationship versus how much time is spent with others outside of it; whether jealousy is okay; whether monogamy can ever be renegotiated if one person wants it back; whether there’s any specific behavior or attitude that would cause someone else in the relationship to leave immediately; how decisions such as who sleeps over at whose house should be made based on comfort levels rather than power dynamics (for example: asking everyone involved instead of just deciding yourself).

Know What You Both Want

While navigating non-monogamy in a committed relationship, knowing what you want and need is crucial, as well as knowing your partner’s wants and needs. You may have different ideas about what feels right for both of you. It’s also okay if one of you is more open to non-monogamy than the other if either party is uncomfortable with it, there are ways to negotiate that work well for people in committed relationships.

Be Honest

Honesty is the most important thing in any relationship. Without it, you can’t have trust, and you’ll ultimately be miserable. Honesty with yourself and your partner is crucial to navigating non-monogamy in a committed relationship. If you are living with someone else, don’t lie to them or try hiding things from them! You don’t want this person finding out about something that happened between you two months ago by stumbling across an old text or photo.

Your partner may not be comfortable with the idea of non-monogamy, or he or she might have difficulty opening up about what they want in bed. The important thing is to be open and honest about your wants and needs and listen to each other when speaking about your desires. You’ll need to compromise at times, so it’s key that you both feel heard by one another.

Be Prepared to Change Your Expectations

Everyone has feelings, needs, desires, and expectations. These can change over time based on age, location, and experience. Most people are monogamous by default because it’s the most common (and easiest) way to have a relationship. Navigating non-monogamy in a committed relationship will require you to adjust your expectations.

If you’re considering opening up your relationship or being in one yourself, it’s important to realize that nothing will ever be easy all the time. There will always be some discomfort, but it doesn’t mean anything is wrong; it just means you’re experiencing something new or different than what you’re used to! This can include dealing with jealousy when seeing photos of your partner having sex with another person, feeling left out when they’re spending more time with their other partner(s), and worrying about whether or not they’ll come back home.

Set Clear Boundaries

Consensual Non-Monogamy, Cartoon @ LifeWorks

You and your partner must set clear boundaries for what is and isn’t okay and for sexual health safety measures before navigating non-monogamy in a committed relationship. If you don’t, the rules may feel imposed on you later in the relationship or worse, they could drive a wedge between you two.

It’s important to think about what feels comfortable for both of you when choosing boundaries. Also, keep in mind that, just like any other aspect of relationships from talking about finances together to deciding where we’ll go out tonight the more time spent discussing this topic ahead of time means less time worrying about it later on down the line! Ensure that both parties are comfortable asking questions throughout this process so that no one feels excluded or pressured by anything said during discussions.

Get Tested Regularly

When navigating non-monogamy in a committed relationship, protection is of utmost importance. This means using barriers like condoms and dental dams. It also means getting tested regularly to decide whether to use barriers based on your partner’s status. Another thing to remember is that if someone has an STD, they should inform their partners before any physical contact occurs even if the infection is something like herpes, which doesn’t have visible symptoms.  

Conclusion

It’s important to remember that being polyamorous is not just about intimacy; it can be a fulfilling lifestyle for many people. But if it isn’t for you or your partner, there are tips for navigating monogamy in a committed relationship. There are plenty of resources available for people who want support in navigating non-monogamy in a committed relationship. We hope this blog has shed some light on navigating non-monogamy and given some practical tips on how to do so.

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