{"id":1362,"date":"2022-01-28T15:34:55","date_gmt":"2022-01-28T15:34:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/?page_id=1362"},"modified":"2023-03-12T20:46:55","modified_gmt":"2023-03-12T20:46:55","slug":"poly-101","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/poly-101\/","title":{"rendered":"Poly 101"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">A common misconception is that polyamorous relationships are about sex. But it only needs the same basic building blocks as any healthy relationship: communication and consent. Just like any other arrangement, a polyamorous relationship takes work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/polyamory1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1491\" width=\"373\" height=\"373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/polyamory1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/polyamory1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/polyamory1-132x132.jpg 132w, https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/polyamory1-259x259.jpg 259w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 373px) 100vw, 373px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">So you\u2019ve been reading about polyamory and have decided it\u2019s something you want to try. Or maybe you\u2019re still thinking about it, but don\u2019t have a clear sense of where you\u2019d even begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Here are a few tips, guidelines, and things to consider for people just starting out in the polyamorous world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\" id=\"ask-yourself\">ASK YOURSELF<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Partly because it\u2019s outside of our cultural norm, and partly because it involves coordinating the needs and preferences of so many people, being happily polyamorous pretty much requires the ability to reflect on what you want and communicate it with your partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Whether you\u2019re starting out solo or opening up an existing relationship, these are some questions that will be very helpful to ponder at the beginning of your polyamorous journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-i-want-this\">DO I WANT THIS?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">What great things are you expecting polyamory to bring to your life? More sex? Someone to go with you to movies that your partner hates? A warm, loving community of friends and lovers? There are lots of good reasons to get into polyamory, and making it clear to yourself which things are most important to you will help guide your decisions. If you\u2019re opening up an existing relationship, it\u2019s good for you to know what your partner is hoping to gain and vice versa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Articulating why you want to be polyamorous will also help you navigate the times when it\u2019s tough: You can look back at your goals and assess whether you\u2019re moving toward them overall and whether working through the hard stuff is still worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\" id=\"ideal-situation\">IDEAL SITUATION?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">This will likely change with time, experience, and the people you meet, but it\u2019s still good to set a baseline expectation. Does the idea of a big house with five or six adults sharing love, sex, and household responsibilities sound awesome or alarming? Would you like to have a lot of partners that you see occasionally, or just two or three that you focus on? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">How much time a week do you want to spend on dates, whether with new people or established partners? Would you prefer to be friends with your partners\u2019 partners, or keep relationships separate? Whatever feels ideal for you is great. And knowing your own expectations and boundaries can help you work through finding partners who share your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/images.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1494 lazyload\" width=\"410\" height=\"276\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 410px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 410\/276;\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-text-align-center has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size wp-block-heading\" id=\"whatever-your-personal-buttons-are-polyamory-will-almost-certainly-push-them\"><strong>Whatever your personal buttons are, polyamory will almost certainly push them.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">It\u2019s scary and often painful, but it can be great in the long run. There\u2019s something profoundly reassuring about finding out that your partner still wants to be with you, even when they\u2019ve gotten to experience the great things another person has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\" id=\"handling-jealousy\">HANDLING JEALOUSY<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">You will get jealous at some point. That\u2019s pretty inevitable, and it doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re bad at polyamory or immature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-luminous-vivid-orange-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\"><strong>The key with jealousy is not avoiding it, but dealing with it when it arrives.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">There are lots of great&nbsp;resources out there with advice and wisdom on dealing with jealousy. Read them ahead of time, and keep the most helpful ones on hand for when the green-eyed monster rears its head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:18px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\" id=\"safer-sex-practices\"><strong>SAFER SEX PRACTICES<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Part of responsible non-monogamy is thinking about safer sex and protecting your partners as well as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">The vast majority of the poly community are strict about using condoms for intercourse with new partners, at the very least. Beyond that, <strong>it\u2019s a matter of personal comfort.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Do you want to use condoms and dental dams for oral sex? How often will you get tested for STIs? Where do you need to be in a relationship before you\u2019d consider stopping using condoms? Just like it\u2019s important to discuss birth control and STI protection in monogamous relationships, it\u2019s also important to talk about it in polyamorous relationships. So make sure to make it a priority!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\" id=\"schedules-dates\"><strong>SCHEDULES &amp; DATES<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">If you\u2019re single, you can play this one by ear, but if you\u2019re opening up a relationship,you\u2019ll want to set expectations about logistics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Will you consult with each other before making a date, or just inform each other once you\u2019ve made arrangements? Do you need to make sure the other partner has a date or friend to hang out with when one has a date? (It is often helpful to have some other activity to do rather than staying home alone when your partner has a date, especially at first.) Can you have dates over to the house if the other partner is home, and if so, how will you share the space?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Preventing problems before they arise is easier than intervening once they pop up, and making sure that you figure out logistics beforehand can really help in that endeavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\" id=\"meeting-people\">MEETING PEOPLE<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">At some point in the process of becoming poly, most people have a moment where they look around and go, <em>\u201cWait. How do I meet people, anyway?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">While polyamorous&nbsp;dating is just like single\/monogamous dating in many ways, there are some key differences and things to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\"><strong>A lot of polyamorous people use online dating services \u2013 <em>a lot.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Meeting people online has the major advantage of enabling you to look specifically for people who are already poly, or open to it, and thus eliminating the major hassle of <em>\u201cHow and when do I tell someone I\u2019m polyamorous?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Another good way to meet people is to go to poly meet ups (although see the point below about going to such things with the sole focus on finding a partner). Search around on social networking sites for poly groups in your area, and see if they do a regular meetup somewhere. This is a great way to connect with a local community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">You can also meet people any of the ways one does when monogamous: bars, coffee shops, shared activity, and interest groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Since beginning your search for a great match comes with many challenges, this is why Poly Partners\u00a9 has come to be. We hope your experiences are favorable and set you on your way to healthy relationships!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">The catch there is that monogamy is the assumed default for relationships, so at some point you\u2019ll have to tell the person you\u2019ve been flirting with that you\u2019re poly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">It is recommend doing this as early as possible \u2014 <em>putting it in with the other \u201cget to know you\u201d questions<\/em> \u2014 to spare both of you the heartache of clicking really well with someone whose relationship style preferences are incompatible with yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-src=\"https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/CommonTypesofPolyRelationships-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1499 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/CommonTypesofPolyRelationships-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/CommonTypesofPolyRelationships-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/CommonTypesofPolyRelationships-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/CommonTypesofPolyRelationships.jpg 1280w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Primary- The person accorded the most importance in a person\u2019s relationships. V: A relationship structure between 3 people where one is the hinge and the others are the arms. Secondary- The person (or persons) in the relationship who, either by intent or by circumstance, have a relationship which is given less in terms of time, energy, and priority in a person\u2019s life than a primary relationship. Quad: A relationship structure between 4 people. Tribe\/Group\/family\/pod\/: A relationship structure between at least 4 people where all interact on some level. Solo: Based in Personal responsibility. One person dates others who may or may not be dating anyone else. This Solo is not part of a coupled relationship. Tertiary: A person (or persons) in a relationship which is generally quite casual. Dyad: A relationship between 2 people. Triad :A relationship between 3 people connected intimately to each other. General overview of each type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\" id=\"mistakes-to-avoid\">MISTAKES TO AVOID<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">As with trying anything new, you\u2019ll definitely make some mistakes, and that\u2019s okay! But here are some common beginner mistakes to avoid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">A lot of people decide to be poly, connect with a community, and immediately start flirting with or asking out everyone they think is cute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">It\u2019s understandable. Suddenly there are much fewer restrictions on who you can date, and you\u2019re eager to start some relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Take it easy.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">First of all, people can tell when you\u2019re looking to fill a spot in your life, rather than connecting particularly with them, and it\u2019s often off-putting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Second, by jumping immediately to <em>\u201cWho here can I make out with?\u201d<\/em> you\u2019re taking the focus off building friendships. And building friendships with other polyamorous&nbsp;folk is helpful on multiple levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">The friends you make will help you navigate the tough times and show you different models of how people actually do polyamory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">It\u2019s fine <em>(and natural!) <\/em>to go to a poly gathering hoping to meet a potential partner, but giving at least as much energy to making solid friendships and finding the people who will be your poly support network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\" id=\"nre\">NRE<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/nre-e1678653391780.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-src=\"https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/nre-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1502 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/682;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">New relationship energy, or NRE, is that feeling you get when you\u2019re dating someone new and reeeally into them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">It\u2019s the butterflies, the giddy joys and crushing anxieties, the <em>\u201cI can\u2019t stop thinking about them and my friends are getting sick of hearing their name.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">It\u2019s a common experience in any dating style, but polyamory creates the potential for a situation where you\u2019re feeling all the rush and thrills of a new relationship while simultaneously maintaining an older, established relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\"><strong>This can create stress and conflicting feelings all around.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">When you\u2019re in the throes of NRE, the impulse is to spend every waking minute with your new partner, to rush over to their house as soon as you hear they\u2019re feeling sick, to shower them with love and attention at every opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">If you already have a long-term partner, they may feel neglected or fear that you love the new person more. You yourself may feel confused: Maybe you love your long-term partner and can\u2019t imagine life without them, but you can\u2019t deny that the level of passion and excitement you\u2019re feeling for the new person is just different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-luminous-vivid-orange-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\"><strong>NRE is a normal relationship stage, and it\u2019s a fun one.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Growing out of it is also normal, whether that means falling out of love and letting a relationship dissolve, or developing a strong attachment bond which is steady and loving, but lacks the big highs and lows of the NRE phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Understanding this is key to dealing with NRE, whether you\u2019re the one newly in love or the one watching your partner fall for someone else.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Everybody needs to find a balance between relishing the new feelings and making sure their existing partners don\u2019t end up neglected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">With practice, a lot of poly people have found ways to channel the energy from their new relationships into the longer-established ones, bringing a fresh surge of energy, tenderness, and excitement into relationships that have been going on for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\" id=\"piloting-the-course-of-your-relationships\"><strong>PILOTING THE COURSE OF YOUR RELATIONSHIPS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Setting rules and boundaries is important, but it\u2019s also important to make sure these are being set for the right reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">A lot of people, especially if they\u2019re opening up an established relationship, worry about losing their partner, and they set up rules to make them feel safer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"417\" data-src=\"https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/puzzle.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1505 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/puzzle.jpg 624w, https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/puzzle-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 624px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 624\/417;\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">But rules can\u2019t protect a relationship. Only mutual commitment, respect, and compatibility can do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">If you and your partner have a relationship that\u2019s benefiting both of you, that you\u2019re both giving sufficient time and attention to, that\u2019s founded on mutual love, trust, and respect, then you don\u2019t need rules to keep it safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:8px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">If the relationship is already broken, if one of you is secretly looking for a way out, or ultimately you just aren\u2019t a good match for each other, all rules will do is delay the inevitable and cause more heartbreak and fighting in the meantime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-center has-pale-pink-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size wp-block-heading\" id=\"above-all-stay-flexible-and-be-kind-to-yourself\">Above all, stay flexible and be kind to yourself.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Polyamory brings a lot of changes and a lot of self-discovery.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">There will be times when it\u2019s hard and scary, and times when it\u2019s exhilarating and life-giving. It can take some time to figure out how \u2014 <em>or even if <\/em>\u2014 polyamory works best in your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Embrace the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-center has-luminous-vivid-amber-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size wp-block-heading\" id=\"ultimately-the-goal-is-to-deepen-and-strengthen-your-relationship-with-your-1-partner-yourself\">Ultimately, the goal is to deepen and strengthen your relationship with your #1 partner: yourself.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A common misconception is that polyamorous relationships are about sex. But it only needs the same basic building blocks as any healthy relationship: communication and consent. Just like any other arrangement, a polyamorous relationship takes work. So you\u2019ve been reading about polyamory and have decided it\u2019s something you want to try. Or maybe you\u2019re still [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1362","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Poly 101 - Poly Partners<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/polypartners.us\/wp\/poly-101\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Poly 101 - Poly Partners\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A common misconception is that polyamorous relationships are about sex. 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