It's a brave new world even if non-monogamy is really nothing new. If you are currently in a monogamous relationship, you may find yourself interested in switching it up. There are good and bad reasons for wanting an open relationship , but regardless of what yours may be, it's best to watch out for these common mistakes made by many people first venturing into non-monogamy. I asked a number of people who have been in open relationships for years to share their early mistakes, so that you can learn from them without making them on your own.
And if you make them anyway, at least you know you're in good company. Opening a previously closed relationship introduces major change — and there is little else that makes human beings break into a cold sweat like the looming prospect of change.
This fear of change pushes many recently-open couples to immediately take steps to ensure that their relationship will look as similar as possible to the way it did before opening up. This shows up in many different ways. No spending the night away with another person.
Only one-night stands allowed, no extended relationships. This is not to say you shouldn't think about your boundaries ; simply that you should realize there will be some things you can't foresee or control. If things happen outside those guidelines then it's an opportunity to check-in and communicate to come to a better place.
If you and your partner have chosen to open your relationship, ideally it's because of the potential benefits and positive growth that you see it bringing to both of your lives.
