There is often confusion between the two from those not in the know about either one or both. Whether you practice polyamory or are comfortable in an open relationship, there are major differences and specific boundaries both adhere to. Want to learn more? We have gone into each category in a little more depth below;
Love is complicated. Sometimes we don’t want a person, but we certainly don’t want anyone else to have them either. Some need constant affection, hate to be on their own, and want to spend every minute of every day with their partner. Others are more relaxed, happy with the occasional meetup, and enjoy a partner in smaller doses as and when they please.
One partner is enough for many; two, three, or even four isn’t enough for certain types. People are reluctant, even scared, to commit. So, what is the solution? The truth is, there is no right or wrong. Experimentation in love will bring results, and trying a service as Uptoflirt will eventually lead to finding the perfect match. But also sometimes the inevitable heartbreak. Us, humans, are not straightforward creatures; all of us are wired in a certain way. Naturally, we cannot all like and enjoy the same things, which would be both unrealistic and pretty boring.
So, what of our two focus areas? An open relationship allows you to play the field. You get the benefits of having a partner without the drama and high maintenance that is required from a committed long-term relationship. Open relationships are more like casual dating as there is no limit on how many others you meet up with, talk to, or sleep with. You are your own boss, but you must remember that your ‘partner’ is also free to do as they please, and you cannot blur the lines or make it stricter on one side over the other.
Polyamorous relationships differ in the fact that whilst there is room for multiple partners and extracurricular loving, they are usually pre-arranged, discussed, or organized together as a couple, not acts of deceit or cheating. Polyamory is much more in tune with feelings than an open relationship and encourages partners to explore any connection they have with another person whilst still being a couple with their partner.
In an open relationship, you may be out on a date but want to rip the clothes off their best friend. Guess what? It is probably not advisable, but you can (with consent!) The point is, you can see who you like. The idea behind it is that if there is a movie you’d like to go and see, you have company; if you are feeling lonely, you can call that person for a film or hug, etc. The advantage is that whilst those things may seem like characteristics you’d normally display with a boyfriend/girlfriend, which is true but there is the key exception; no commitment and no labeling. The flip side of that SHOULD be no hassle, no stress, and no jealousy. You hook up, you hang out, and if you see someone else, you like you are free to pursue it.
Many people confuse polyamory by expecting it to all be about sex. That is an uneducated misgiving. Yes, there are sexual pleasure and advantages, but polyamory is about much more than that. It involves connecting romantically and engaging with others outside of your usual one-on-one relationship boundaries. Exploration and experimentation are encouraged and promoted within a polyamorous couple’s agenda, but there are rules. The good thing is, you can make them!
Most couples will allow each other to sleep with anyone they want as long as they come home and give every detail to their partner without keeping secrets. The couples will also meet with regulars in ways that swingers and dodgers do, too, but the specifics are up to each couple, their preferences, and their limitations.
Open relationships and polyamory are both suited to anyone who believes there is more than one person for each of us. An open relationship is less of a commitment and involves minor emotions; it provides a heightened sense of physical satisfaction without belonging. Polyamory is much more about the connection between people, whether that is one, two, three more than most conventional couples all interacting and bonding spiritually, mentally, and physically where and when required.
Both have their advantages, but neither can be described as being common or ‘for everyone as we are all so different. A naturally jealous, needy, or possessive person would not figure well in either setup and should avoid both concepts for their own happiness. Before getting yourself into an open relationship, you must be mindful of the paranoia you will face wondering about what your partner is getting up to when you are not with them.
Likewise, before entering a polyamorous relationship, be mindful of how it will feel to hear about and sometimes see your partner engage in acts of love both physically and emotionally in front of your very eyes. It takes a certain type of person to be comfortable with either, and only the strongest of minds will survive the rollercoaster ride of each concept.
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