Dating advice from a polyamorist
Start writing a post
Swoon

5 Reasons My Polyamorous Relationship Works and Your Monogamous One Doesn't

How I make having twice the partners half as difficult.

373
5 Reasons My Polyamorous Relationship Works and Your Monogamous One Doesn't

First, let it be known that this article isn't meant to force or pressure anyone into a polyamorous relationship or lifestyle nor is it meant to make polyamory seem more glamorous or better than monogamy. Both types of relationships take work, these are just some lessons I think most people learn when becoming poly.

1. One is enough

Usually the first reaction I get when people find out I enjoy the company of people of all genders and often at the same time goes along the lines of "Why so greedy?" or "Why can't one be enough?" What they don't understand is that one is enough but that one should be yourself. We are our own full people so we don't need to find our other half to complete us. My partners and I understand that our happiness comes from within us as an individual and we just choose to be happy with other people, not for or because of them.

2. Communication is key

Arguably the most important things in a relationship are communication and trust. Without these two things, relationships become unhealthy due to jealousy and lack of understanding. In many monogamous relationships, I've witnessed there is a lack of trust which leads to a desire to monitor and own one's partner instead of having a healthy conversation on the status of the relationship. Ideas like "I don't let my girlfriend talk to anyone else" or "If my boyfriend doesn't let me go through his phone he must be cheating" creates hostility in the relationship by invading on private and personal boundaries instead of talking about it. With my partners, everything is open and up for conversation. We clearly state what we desire and expect from the relationship, how we feel about our partners' actions and what we were going to do as a result of those actions. There is no need to wonder if someone is cheating or if their feelings have faded because they will announce important things like if they have a sexual attraction to someone else or have lost our sense of intimacy.

3. Humans are sexual and social beings

We need to understand that humans have certain desires and urges that aren't turned off because we enter a relationship. Now that isn't an excuse to just sex up every hot person you see behind your significant other's back and expect them not to be pissed when they find out, but realize that you will feel attraction to other people and it is best to communicate these feelings and decide with your partner what this means to relationship. Also, just because your partner has feelings for someone doesn't mean that they will act about those feelings or that you shouldn't trust them. If they have the self-control to tell you about those feelings, they have the self-control to not act upon those feelings.

4. Stop being greedy

I find it ironic when many of my monogamous friends call me greedy because I feel the same about them. Many people I know in monogamous relationships try to monopolize the time and affection of their significant other. It is perfectly fine and healthy to want to spend time with your partner, however, you don't have to spend all your time with your partner to have a good relationship nor are you owed constant attention. People have different families, friends and schedules so 12-hour phone calls and being attached at the hip is not a requirement of dating. You are in each others' lives not sharing one and trying to force your lives to be one can be suffocating.

5. Recognize when something is unhealthy or over

When you feel that you are meant to love one person it's really easy to feel like you should always stay and try to make things work but not every relationship is meant to last forever. You have to realize that you and your partner are capable of love outside of your current relationship so that you're together not because you feel that it's your only option for love but instead because you choose each other.

Understand that this is all based off my personal experience and that each person and relationship is unique and have their own wants and needs. These are just some ideas that I think would be healthy to implement into your monogamous relationships.

Report this Content
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

83898
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

50631
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

984927
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments