Polyamory

Polyamory is having stable romantic or sexual relationships with multiple people.

Growing up in the midwest, I was taught that one-guy one-girl no sex before you're married was the only way to go. But, when I went to college, I found myself getting this feeling of absolute terror when my relationships would start to become serious and I'd think that maybe I'd be with this one person and only this one person for the rest of my life. And of course, that led to a breakup, followed by another monogamous relationship, followed by a breakup, etc., etc.

A good friend of mine pointed out that it was a serious mistake to expect to find one person that will "be your everything". I started exploring this idea, including reading a copy of The Ethical Slut.

Before long, I started to realize that having multiple relationships with multiple people allows one to have all their needs met.

The downsides of polyamory are there, too, though. Problems from scheduling time with everyone to jealousy, to breakups causing ripples through many relationships all popped up. I felt a little burned out on poly and found myself settling in with Wolf.

And that worked for a while, but I think polyamory is where I live. I have different people in my life, with relationships ranging from extremely casual to extremely close. They seem to be changing all the time, but it seems to work.