Poly: many (Greek), poly meaning many love, poly meaning more than one partner, poly as an abbreviation of polyamory.

It is no secret that open relationships (polyamory) are becoming more popular. In fact, there is a growing number of celebrities who have been involved in open relationships such as Miley Cyrus and Kristen Stewart. Polyamory has been featured on a few TV shows and has even graced the pages of Cosmo. So, it’s no surprise that many people are thinking about open relationships and if it is right for them. There are many different ways to explore polyamory, you are on your own adventure, and it won’t be like anyone else’s. The polyamorous community is very diverse. They have different beliefs and value systems, so honest communication is key for any newbie.

A good place to start is to ask some basic questions about your views on polyamorous relationships. Why do you want to be in an open relationship? What concerns do you have about being open? What do open relationships look like to you? How would you be poly if given the opportunity? Are there certain relationship agreements that are non-negotiable? Do you have an idea about rules and boundaries? If there was something that you didn’t want to do could you speak up? Do you think poly relationships can work if they function on a purely sexual level or do you hope to have deeper connections with the people you date? Are you prepared and able to speak about difficult emotions? If these questions seem like a lot or you are not sure how to answer them, no need to be discouraged. You have already taken the first step towards uncovering your ideas and values about what it means to be poly! To further help with the process of relationship discovery, seeking a therapist is key.