Open Relationship Advice

Having the cake and eating it too - this is how many people describe open relationship but it is not that much of a cakewalk. If you enter into an open relationship without knowing about the ground rules and its consequences, your relationship could very well pass an examination for disastrous relationship ever and bring along some really massive emotional and mental trauma. So be careful! It is not as easy as it sounds. You just cannot walk in and walk out of a relationship only because it is 'open'. Such relationships have their own pros and cons and come with their own emotional baggage that you may have to carry if it doesn't work.

Let's understand what is an open relationship first. An open relationship is where couples have an emotional attachment with each other but they give each other the freedom to have physical relationships with others. There are various reasons why people choose open relationships over committed relationships. In fact, open relationships are kind of committed but not only when it comes to sex. Sometimes, couples are not sexually satisfied with each other, sometimes they are in search of the 'right person', some couples like to have a 'variety' in life without feeling guilty about it, and others just do not want to miss out on the goodness of life. The reasons could be numerous. But, many people think of open relationships as if they have the freedom to walk in or walk out of a relationship at any point of life. Well, on the contrary, open relationship involves a lot of responsibility where you also have to fulfill your duties before enjoying the freedom. This Buzzle article gives you some relationship advice that can help you have a happy open relationship.

Advice on Open Relationship

Do You Both Really Want It?
Yes, this is the first question you should ask to yourselves as a couple. Make sure that you both want 'such' a relationship and then only it will work. If your partner is not ready for it then you might have to just chuck the idea or your partner, it is up to you. You two must be on the same level, both mentally and socially, to begin open relationship. Ultimately, you need to be happy with your relationship that is built on the consensus, maturity, and honesty.

Have Rules
As someone rightly said that absolute freedom creates chaos and hence some rules are necessary. Similarly, every relationship should also have rules and boundaries for people involved in it. In case of open relationship, you must discuss some important rules that must be followed by both the partners. For example, not using the bedroom you share, or not having 'extra relationship' (like, extramarital) sex in your house, or not having sex with common friends or exes, etc. Such rules will ensure that you will cause less emotional traumas for each other.

Insecurity, Jealousy, and Ego
These are the three things that you must keep your open relationship away from. The feeling of insecurity is the biggest threat to open relationships. People in open relationship generally feel insecure that their partners would leave them for someone else and this insecurity can spoil the relationship. Jealousy and ego are again some of the crucial issues that are difficult to handle, especially for men. The fact that your partner is also having sex with others just like you, is quite difficult to digest. So, always remember that you opted for such a relationship from all the choices available.

Talk it Out
Remember it's an open relationship! So share and discuss your feelings, experiences, and emotions with each other frequently. You two have a different outlook towards life and relationships so you might as well share it with each other. Apart from this, you must also confront your jealousy, insecurities, and other trust issues in the relationship with each other so you can resolve them with some hearty promises and commitments. And analyze regularly if both of you are really happy with your open relationship irrespective of what others think about it.

Have Safe Sex
Multiple partners can come with multiplied risk for sexually transmitted diseases. In an open relationship, it is important to practice safe sex as your own health along with the health of your partner and other sexual partners is at stake. Be aware of different sexually transmitted diseases and always use precautions while having sex. It is also important to be honest with other partners you have sex with to avoid emotional problems and in order to not cheat them.

This was the essence of an open relationship advice that will save you from emotional mess that comes with open relationships. Another important thing you must consider when it comes to open relationships is its unconventionality which adds on to the challenge and complexities of maintaining the healthy relationship. But if you are convinced with your lifestyle and are honest about what you really want in life, the social factors shall not bother you or affect your relationships. I just hope you have a great and happy life ahead.