Polyamory and open relationships are both forms of consensually non-monogamous relationships that prioritize trust, honest, and communication, but they have distinct characteristics and dynamics. On a very basic level, polyamory is about romantically dating and opening your heart to multiple people, whereas opening your relationship is primarily about having sexual connections outside of your primary relationship. But let's break it down in more detail:

1. Polyamory:

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   • Polyamory refers to the practice of engaging in multiple romantic relationships with the knowledge and consent of all parties involved.

     
     

   • In polyamorous relationships, individuals may form deep emotional connections with multiple partners and may seek long-term, committed relationships with more than one person simultaneously.

     
     

   • Polyamory often involves a focus on building meaningful, romantic relationships with multiple partners, emphasizing emotional intimacy, communication, and mutual support.

     
     

   • Polyamorous relationships may include various configurations, such as triads (three people in a relationship), quads (four people), or polycules of other shapes and sizes.

     
     

     
     

3. Open Relationships:

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   • Open relationships, on the other hand, typically involve a primary partnership in which individuals agree to engage in sexual activities with other people outside of the primary relationship. Sex with others could happen together, separately, or both ways depending on the agreements of the relationship.

     
     

   • In open relationships, the primary partnership remains the central focus, and individuals may pursue additional sexual or romantic connections as desired, often without seeking long-term emotional involvement outside the relationship.

     
     

   • Open relationships may vary in terms of rules and boundaries, with partners establishing agreements regarding sexual behavior, emotional involvement, communication with each other about outside sex, and communication with others.

     
     

   • Open relationships may be characterized by a greater emphasis on sexual exploration and freedom, with partners often maintaining a level of independence and autonomy in their interactions with others.

While both polyamory and open relationships involve consensual non-monogamy, they differ in their emphasis on emotional connection, commitment, and the structure of multiple partnerships. Polyamory often involves the pursuit of multiple deep, emotional relationships, while open relationships may prioritize sexual exploration and maintain a central primary partnership. Ultimately, the distinctions between polyamory and open relationships lie in the priorities, boundaries, and dynamics established by the individuals involved in each type of relationship.

Both polyamorous relationships and open relationships require a strong foundation of communication, trust, and vulnerability in order to be healthy and successful. If you're considering entering one of them, ask yourself if your relationship has enough support and enough foundation to venture into these new and exciting realms. Do you feel safe sharing the more difficult emotions like jealousy with your partner? Do you feel comfortable opening the door to hard emotional conversations? Are you able to adjust agreements with each other as you both grow and discover different things about yourself? If you feel like you might need to do some foundation building, therapy can be a great resource. At Expansive Therapy, we pride ourselves on being affirming of and specializing in polyamorous and open relationships.