To have a healthy open relationship, it is important that you set your own goals and analyze if they change, establish sexual and emotional limits, and manage jealousy and emotions. If you are considering having an open relationship with your partner, you must first consider several aspects so that your love becomes stronger. For example, not doing it out of obligation, what limits you want to set and how to manage couple communication in this context.
Experts say that open relationships can work if they are handled assertively, since this type of relationship is very complex. In this Psychology-Online article, we tell you how to have a healthy open relationship through a set of recommendations that are important to consider.
What does it mean to have an open relationship?
Open relationships are those contrary to monogamy, in which a couple agrees that one or both members of the couple can have relationships with third parties without this affecting the main relationship. It is a form of romantic or sexual relationship in which the people involved agree to have the freedom to explore emotional and/or sexual connections with other people outside the relationship.
In these types of relationships, couples often have clear agreements and boundaries about what is acceptable or permitted, which may include the types of activities that are allowed, the people they can have relationships with, and how information about them is shared. these interactions.
Not all people are open to having this type of relationship, since they prefer a monogamous relationship, where emotional and sexual exclusivity is essential. Furthermore, it is essential Discuss each person’s boundaries, expectations, and feelings to ensure that both members of the couple are comfortable with the established agreement.
That said, below we give you some recommendations so that you can have a healthy and satisfactory open relationship for both parties.
Don’t do it out of obligation
Nothing done out of obligation is good, and open relationships are no exception. This means that if you and your partner are considering having an open relationship, and one of the two does not agree, the other has to accept the decision and it can’t force you. If you get involved in an open relationship to please your partner, or for fear of losing his or her love, the result for you will be very painful.
The best thing to have a healthy and balanced open relationship is that both parties agreesince this experience determines the emotional well-being of both.
Analyze and define what type of relationship you want
Before you take the plunge, you need to understand what it means to be in an open relationship. First of all, You must be honest with yourself to determine if you feel like it actually sharing sexual and emotional experiences with third parties within the relationship. Remember that no one can tell you what you should do to ensure your own pleasure and well-being. In this article we talk about.
Set and communicate your goals
If you want to have a healthy open relationship, you must establish clear objectives and limits and, above all, comply with them. Be clear from the beginning can ease burdens and prevent hurt feelings in the future. Before opening your relationship, it is essential that you consider aspects such as the following:
- If you want third parties to know each other.
- The time that will be spent with the third parties involved.
- If sexual encounters can be repeated with the same person.
Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that goals can change over time. Therefore, it is necessary talk calmly about the limits setand to have the flexibility to modify them if necessary, or to know if you are both comfortable with the objectives set.
Establish sexual and emotional boundaries
When your partner asks for an open relationship and you accept, it is essential to establish sexual and emotional limits. For example, just because it is a polygamous relationship does not mean that it is open to anyone, so you must Agree as a couple how “open” that relationship will be. In this article, we tell you the.
It is necessary talk about who you can be intimate with and under what conditions. For example, whether protection will be used for penetrative encounters, or whether you can have relationships with strangers you meet on the street or with people you already know, among many other details.
Furthermore, for open relationships to work, it is also essential to set emotional boundaries. For example, accepting that you will feel comfortable if your partner has casual encounters on Tinder, or if you can have romantic dates in another social context.
Respect privacy
If you want an open relationship to work, it is essential to respect the couple’s privacy. From the beginning you must decide what information you want to exchange from your meetings with other people. In this sense, some couples decide to establish an intrinsic policy of “Don’t tell, don’t ask” and, on the other hand, others tell each other everything.
Manage jealousy and emotions
For your own well-being, to have a healthy open relationship you must put jealousy aside. Remember that these types of relationships are based on the physical or emotional connection of your partner with another person and you will know it. So what’s the point of jealousy in this case? To avoid any misunderstanding, it is essential that both of you are very clear about the rules you have and do not cross the limits so that trust prevails at all times.
Do not hide the reality from the people involved
If you want to have an open relationship, it is important that you communicate this to the third parties you involve in it. This way, you will avoid misunderstandings or the other person forming false expectations of forming a romantic couple with you. The best is that speak honestly from the beginningand that you clearly tell them the limits of the relationship, since, from there, the other individual will be able to decide whether or not they are interested in continuing in this experience.
Have open communication
Whether it’s an open relationship or not, communication is essential to keep love afloat. Try to establish honest communication in the that each one of you can express your desires and aspirations.
Create a communicative dynamic with your partner free of judgment, and where you feel comfortable to show how you feel. Talk about all the details of the meetings and expectations for not lose the union you have between you. Furthermore, to have an open relationship, you must trust that, although there are other people with whom you see each other, you want to remain a couple and have a future project together.
Prioritize the main relationship
Learn to connect with your present partner and enjoy the bond you have with him or her. Keep falling in love with her daily to strengthen her love and remember that she is the person you chose to share your life with. To make an open relationship work, it is important that the balance prevails between the relationship you already have and the others, and that they understand each other in the best possible way.
Have flexibility and adaptability
Open relationships are dynamic and can evolve over time. Keep an open mind and be flexible to adjust agreements and rules as you both grow and change. Constant communication and a willingness to adapt are key to maintaining a healthy open relationship. If you want to know more about this type of relationships, in this article, we explain if.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Taormino, T. (2020). Opening up: A guide to creating and maintaining open relationships. Melusine.