Do Open Relationships Really Work?

To many people, the sole idea of open relationships is so abstract that they can’t even imagine implementing it in their lives. Still, approximately one in five people has been involved in the form of polygamy. It may not seem like a lot, but the number is likely to grow in the future.

But what exactly is a non-monogamous relationship? In short, being in one means you have one primary partner, but both of you can be sexually active with other people. Some people really find it at least a little bit tempting.

But before you run to your partner and tell them that flirting with girls and boys is now allowed in your relationship, there are some things you need to take into account. And that’s what we’re going to tackle today.

In the article below, we’ll discuss why people consider opening their relationship, whether they work, and if the answer is yes, what do you have to do to make them work.

Table of Contents

The Point of Non-Monogamy

But before we get to the main point of the article, let’s discuss why people even consider opening their relationship. On the contrary to popular belief, deciding on this drastic step can save and improve your relationship – at least in some cases. Here’s why you should consider it:

You and your partner have different sex drives
You want to explore your sexuality, but you still love your partner
Your partner is asexual
You have a kinky fantasy you’d like to experience, but your partner doesn’t want to
You both feel that you can love each other and still have sex with someone else

As you can see, there are many reasons why you can consider becoming a non-monogamous couple. No matter what your reasons are, make sure you discuss it openly with your partner.

Do Open Relationships Work?

Some people believe that couples in open relationships are unhappy, and the only thing that matters to them is sex. They couldn’t be more wrong. You can be in a happy and healthy relationship and still have several sexual partners.

A psychological study conducted by the University of Guelph proves that. The research has revealed that people who live in an open relationship are equally happy and experience the same level of satisfaction as a traditional, monogamous couple.

Keep in mind, though, that despite scientific proof that such relationships can work, it’s up to you to make them work.

How to Make It Work

When you’re in a relationship, there are many things that you need to consider to make it work. Non-monogamous relationships are no exception. Without applying specific rules and developing a mutual consensus, you can’t succeed.

Set Some Ground Rules

The first thing you need to remember when opening your relationship is creating a rule book. You and your partner need to determine sexual and emotional boundaries, how much information you intend to share, and how exactly the whole non-monogamy is going to work.

Agree on the number of partners you want to have an intimate relationship, when and with whom you want to hook up and make sure you both stick to the rules you set.

Be Honest

Honesty is probably the most important part of every relationship, both polygamous and monogamous. Nevertheless, when it comes to open relationships, you need to be truthful not just to your primary partner but also to others.

Talk about your feelings. For example, if you’re feeling jealous, don’t be afraid to tell that to your partner. Without an honest conversation, your relationship has no chances to survive the test of time.

A good idea might also be what kind of information you want to share. Sometimes, it’s better to leave some details for yourself.

Keep Your Primary Relationship Top Priority

As soon as you start hooking up with other people, you might get a little bit too overexcited. When that happens, it’s easy to forget that your decision’s main point was to improve your primary relationship.

To prevent that from happening, you need to agree on keeping your relationship top priority. A good idea might be to create a schedule and try to spend as much time together as possible. Again, the crucial thing has an honest conversation.

If you’re starting to feel that your partner is neglecting you, mention it to them.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, it’s possible to have a happy and honest open relationship that works perfectly. You just need to do everything you can to make it that way.

Create a set of ground rules, stay honest, and don’t forget to keep your primary partner your top priority.

And don’t listen to all of the naysayers who claim that open relationships are immoral. Consensual non-monogamy is something quite the opposite.

It’s the ultimate proof that you trust each other unconditionally, and you’re willing everything you can to keep your relationship alive and true.