You’ve been wondering for a while whether non-monogamy might be the answer to your relationship woes. It might feel like a good time to give it a try, but you’re not sure how to go about doing it.
Casual dating as a woman can lead to some pretty intense emotions and experiences. It’s important to take a step back and assess your limits before you jump in.
1. Don’t Overthink It
Whether you are dating as a polyamorous person, a trans person, or a non-binary individual, there is a great deal of stigma associated with non-monogamous relationships. This is especially true for women.
A lot of the negative stigma associated with non-monogamous dating comes from the fact that it is often seen as being “less noble” than monogamous relationships. This belief can lead people to become frustrated and unsure about the prospect of exploring non-monogamy.
This can lead to overthinking about the relationship structure, what the expectations are for a relationship that is non-monogamous and so on. Ultimately, this overthinking can cause a lot of unnecessary anxiety and frustration.
However, there are ways to avoid this overthinking and ensure that your experiences in casual dating are as positive as possible. The first thing that you should do is make sure that you clearly define your goals for the casual dating relationship before you start going on dates.
In this way, you will be able to set realistic expectations for yourself and your partner. This will help you and your partner to enjoy your time together, and it will also help you to avoid feeling stuck in a relationship that does not fulfill your needs.
You should also be very open and honest about your relationship and the expectations that you have for it. This can be difficult to do when you are new to non-monogamy, but it is a key element of a successful relationship.
The other important component of a healthy, successful relationship is communication. This is essential in any relationship, but it becomes even more important when you are dating as a non-monogamous person.
This is because you and your partner will be in different positions in the relationship and you need to be able to communicate what each of you wants from this relationship. This is particularly important if you are both in different stages of exploring non-monogamy.
The most important thing to remember when you are exploring non-monogamy is to be aware that jealousy is a possibility. This is not something that you should let pass you by, as it can cause significant damage to the relationship.
2. Don’t Get Jealous
When it comes to exploring non-monogamous relationships through casual dating as a woman, there are some things you should know that will help make the process a little more enjoyable for both of you. While casual dating may be more about enjoying the company of other people, it is still important to be considerate of your dates’ feelings and make sure you both communicate clearly.
If you are feeling jealous, it is important to understand why you are feeling this way and talk to your partner about it openly. This will allow both of you to work through the jealousy and move forward in a positive direction.
Getting jealous is an emotional reaction that is normal and natural for most people. It is also a natural part of our evolutionary process, so it is not something to be feared or avoided.
As Blue states, jealousy is a human emotion that can be triggered by a variety of different factors, including: anger, pride, fear, shame, judgment, humiliation, desperation, anxiety, and insecurity. While jealousy is natural and not a bad thing, it can be detrimental if you are not careful about how you handle it.
When you are feeling jealous, it is important to remember that there are other people in the world who are more beautiful, smarter, or better than you are. It is also important to remind yourself that the person who is causing your jealousy is probably not trying to hurt you or steal your attention from you, and they just need some time to themselves to recharge.
It is also important to remember that jealousy can be a signal that your relationship needs a little more work. If you and your partner are not in sync, then you will need to reassess the boundaries and guidelines that you have set for your relationship. This will ensure that you and your partner are happy and safe in your relationship.
3. Don’t Overreact
You can do this by taking the time to understand your desires and values as well as what works and doesn’t work for you. Then, you can start designing a relationship life that aligns with those values and desires.
However, if you are new to non-monogamy and casual dating as a woman, it’s important to remember that the way you approach and practice it is up to you! If you don’t feel comfortable with your partner, if you are jealous or angry about something, if you aren’t getting your needs met, or if you have any other concerns, it may be time to consider whether or not this kind of dating is right for you.
As a beginner, you’re likely to read beginner non-monogamy resources that over-hype jealousy and imply that any negative feelings you have about a person your partner is dating is inherently jealous and that trying to express those feelings is automatically controlling and abusive behaviour.
Often, this can be an unhelpful mindset to adopt and lead to hurt feelings and unsuccessful relationships. As you begin to understand how to practice non-monogamy, make sure that you aren’t practicing it in ways that don’t reflect your values and the beliefs of those around you.
Another thing to be aware of when you are starting to explore non-monogamy is that there are many different configurations. These can be sexual, platonic, or for a short-term period of time.
This is why it’s so important to communicate clearly with your partners about what you want from a casual relationship. Battle and Henry encourage you to “talk about how much time you want to spend with each other, if there is any intimacy involved in the relationship, what types of activities you enjoy doing together, and what kinds of people you like to date.”
While you should be open to trying out non-monogamy as long as it aligns with your values, it’s also important to be realistic about how it will go for you. There are a lot of different ways to try it out and not all of them will be successful for you or your partner. If you’re not happy with your non-monogamy, it’s always best to stop exploring it and find someone who is more compatible with your values and beliefs.
4. Don’t Overthink It Again
The idea of casual dating as a way to explore non-monogamous relationships is rapidly growing in popularity, but it’s important to remember that this kind of relationship can be very different for everyone. That’s why it’s crucial to think about your own desires and values before embarking on a non-monogamous relationship.
You may be feeling excited and eager to start exploring non-monogamous relationships, but you might also feel a sense of nervousness as you explore the possibilities. This is normal and is a natural part of the process.
It’s also a good idea to be open and honest about your own needs as you go through this process, especially if you have any unfulfilled ones. This will help to set the scene for your non-monogamous explorations in a positive manner, and make it easier for you to show up and have a clearer mind and intention.
Another thing to consider when you’re exploring non-monogamy is that this can be a very sensitive subject. That’s because, as we’ve mentioned in previous articles, it can be a way to challenge a lot of the norms that society has established over the years.
This can be especially difficult for women, and it’s something that can often take a long time to work through. So, it’s a good idea to be patient when you’re first getting started and to be sure to measure your progress in months rather than days or weeks.
You should also make sure to have the same conversations with your partner that you would have if you were in a monogamous relationship, which can help to keep things open and honest between you both. This is especially helpful if you’re both still working through issues that you’ve had with one another in the past, or if there are any insecurities you have about your current relationship.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to read a resource that can help you navigate non-monogamy. A great place to start is The Ethical Slut by Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy, which can help you understand how to make your non-monogamous relationships work for you, as well as how to be a healthy and happy polyamorous person.
