Love is certainly not universal, and monogamy is not for everyone. How I would like to believe in a beautiful fairy tale in which they live happily ever after “in sorrow and joy” and die on the same day. But alas, we live in the real world – funny, ridiculous, hot, clumsy and wonderful people. We change over time, and so do our needs for a partner.
“For many people, having one romantic partner is not part of their idea of a happy life, and that's completely normal. After all, there are many different types of relationships, and one isn't necessarily better than the others as long as all parties are on the same page, happy, and secure. One type of partnership that gets a lot of attention (and is largely misunderstood) is an open marriage,” explains psychologist Elena Malashova.
What is an open marriage
If you're in an open relationship, it means you're okay with you and your partner having other love or sexual interests. Otherwise, all the “rules” are set by you and your partner, based on your own level of comfort.
“Open relationships can be shocking to the uninitiated. If you've never had one before, you may feel like you're cheating on your partner. But for some, this concept is a blessing. Of course, this type of marriage is only possible if both partners know what it entails and agree to it,” Elena emphasizes. We've outlined several arguments for and against open relationships, so take your time and choose wisely.
Unsplash Casual sex can be good An open relationship means you don't feel tied down and can have exciting, guilt-free sex outside of a committed relationship. “Sometimes all you need is a whirlwind romance that will make you feel young and carefree again,” says Elena. You get the opportunity to be with other people /p> You don't have to wonder what it would be like to be with that cute guy from work. If you're in an open relationship, you can ask him out on a date and things will go from there. “You can also indulge in new and different activities that you wouldn't normally do with your partner – and that doesn't have to be sex. This could be roller skating or macramé weaving together. You won’t miss this “once in a lifetime” opportunity and will have fun,” explains the psychologist. This can help your relationship Open relationships can help regulars in the long run. If you know you have competition, you'll try twice as hard to be better than your partner's random fling. “You'll try to look better, make sex more exciting, and generally keep the passion in your relationship. No one will stop you from striving to always be a loved partner. We can’t say that this is the best motivation, but sometimes it works,” admits Elena. Jealousy can make itself felt You may not always be immune from envy. Jealousy can trigger a range of other emotions, such as anger, sadness, loneliness and the need for revenge. It's natural to feel jealous when you see your partner with someone else and wonder if he's having more fun with her than with you. Will he leave you, will he consider another woman better than you. Unsplash Risk of contracting sexually transmitted and other diseases Casual sex is, with certain reservations, good, but it can also cause some serious sexually transmitted diseases. Sex with multiple partners is risky, and you may even bring infections home. “This can cause a rift between you and your main guy. It would be a good idea to check your replacement partners for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases and only then move on,” warns Elena. This can turn into a competition You can forget that you and your partner are one team, and an outside relationship won’t change that. “It is not so difficult to perceive your partner as a rival and compete with him in other ways. Don't be that couple who compares their love lives to others or brags about their “conquests.” And the most important thing! – Always be honest with yourself and your partner. If you have even the slightest doubt that this type of union is right for you, talk about it right away,” the psychologist insists.
