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#101 | |||
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Veteran Member [63%]
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We are in the process of coming up with ground rules. |
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#102 |
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Member [18%]
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This sounds like a train wreck just waiting to happen. I hope you are not throwing away the best relationship of your life in attempting to explore this.
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#103 | |||
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Core Member [428%]
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Plenty of people engage in this lifestyle without drama. |
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#104 |
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Member [18%]
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There is a lot at stake when both are not on the same page.
Each must live a life style which adheres to their own ideals in order to achieve lasting happiness. He has stated concern that she is making adjustments for something she would not otherwise choose to do. This is a red flag and should be heeded. Is she conceding just to please him? Is this what D really has wanted all along? If it was, this would have happened a long time ago. There is a huge risk in taking it to the next step. |
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#105 | |||
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Veteran Member [63%]
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I have NO desire to throw away what I have with D. Traditional relationships are not fulfilling in a variety of ways (at least for me). So, it is my hope that I will grow individually and that we will grow as a couple as the result of our experience.
---------- Post added 04-25-2012 at 03:11 PM ----------
You're correct - there is a red flag of whether D is doing this just to appease me or if she is actually choosing to out of a desire to meet her own needs. Nothing has progressed to the point of us actualizing this change in relational dynamic. We will continue to check in as we have all along, to discuss positives and negatives and the effects on both of us, and to take steps to let each other know that there is no diminishment of love for each other. |
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#106 | |||||||||||||||
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Core Member [428%]
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This is why they are communicating.
This is a pretty selfish approach to relationships. There's no reason that people cannot have differing ideals and still love each other.
Heeded, perhaps, but if his needs are not being met, then he should just blindly accept her conditions?
D is engaging in the lifestyle as well. This seems to be an invalid point. Just because someone comes out later in life doesn't mean "they would have been doing it all along"
Which is why they are assured that their love and their relationship can handle it. |
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#107 | |||||||||
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Member [18%]
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Selfish? Yes, there is reason. Their values have not been in alignment from the beginning. The structure you build your life upon does not bend like the willow. If one bends too far from their own values, or does so out of fear of losing the other - it does not bode well for future stability and mutual happiness long term.
D would have been far more willing from the get go when this was first brought to her. Do not fool yourself. Many have tried and failed miserably in these attempts. I understand they are doing all they can to avoid issues. I am saying she is going in to this having been compromised. There is a huge difference.
You can go in with that intention. You can not guarantee it's success. |
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#108 | |||||||||
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Core Member [428%]
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If they were not right for each other, then this crucible will reveal it.
You say this with such certainty - do you truly believe that people do not discover things about themselves? Even unexpected things?
It most likely is. Some people do not naturally fall into the Judeo Christian mold of "one person at a time" - simply look at the prevalence of cheating and philandering. Cheaters give into their biological impulses. Polyamorous people do as well, but the do it with honesty and integrity. |
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#109 | |||
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Member [45%]
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#110 | |||||||||||||||
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Member [18%]
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This is the concern/risk. Is the desire to explore this worth risking the relationship? Will there be regret in it's disintegration, should it occur?
Life is a continual discovery. Change occurs best and is most successful when it is initiated willingly from oneself. Is that the case here?
This is not about my imposing my values on to another. I am not judging anyone or their lifestyle. I am simply stating what I foresee, pointing out what is obvious to me. They are aware there is risk in proceeding with this.
She recognizes you would leave if she is not open to a poly lifestyle.
Steve Pavlina was quite open publicly with his decision to go poly and blogged about it. If you are interested in reading about their experience and how it affected them they can be found |
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#111 | |||
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Member [33%]
MBTI: INTJ
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,344
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I gather Polymath might be biased from his own experiences. (He can correct me if I'm wrong) But people who marry early in their lives (early 20s etc) often become disillusioned with the marriage institution, and later in their lives 30s-40s, become polyamorous, and not wanting to be committed to one person after being in a marriage in which they felt was more like a "prison sentence" unless of course, if there are children involved- and many I gather, might stay together just for the sake of their children, however exploring polyamorous behaviors while still legally being married to their partners. |
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#112 | ||||||
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Member [29%]
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For what it's worth, I find it just as obvious that this is not going to work. The only question is how long it will struggle along with neither person really happy. D because she's compromised herself and Satyr because he has no idea what the hell he wants, really.
I would qualify this though. She is very open to a poly lifestyle, but only the sex part and not the multiple emotional connections that Satyr is looking for. It is still a fundamental incompatibility, but this isn't the poly vs mono thing that Polymath seems to be arguing about. She is not an uptight repressed person obsessed with sexual monogamy in spite of how outdated and blah blah whatever that is. She is DTF, she just doesn't want her boyfriend getting all googly over other people. |
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#113 | ||||||||||||
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Core Member [428%]
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1) This is why I said "naturally" - some people do naturally fit into the mold society endorses. Some do not.
You seem to assume that Wry's unmet needs are unimportant. If his needs go unmet, would that not also possibly cause disintegration?
Sometimes it helps if an understanding party gives you a little push out of the door, to help you step out of your comfort zone. Wry and D seem to have a very good support system for each other, which can give both of them courage to explore love and sexuality.
Nor am I talking about values, yours or anyone's; I am talking about socially accepted tradition. |
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#114 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Member [18%]
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The amount of discussion this proposal has undergone is a clear indication of strong resistance = not closely enough aligned.
Wrong. You assume incorrectly. My point is these two individuals are not harmonious in what they want and need. The focus has been on D in my arguments because she is agreeing against her fundamental ideals. Wry was ready to walk away from this relationship; only then did she agree to it. This is emotionally manipulative, even if it was not intended to be so.
This is just another example of incompatibility, which is my point. Badgering each other to adopt to lifestyles which do not suit the other is a glaring mismatch.
One would do better to go looking for an individual who shares these ideals rather than attempting to change someone's very foundation/value structure. This is not fair to the other party. Either you accept them as they are and love them for it or find someone else who matches what you want/need.
I agree. Same for hers. They have to be freely congruent for this to work long term. Why work exhaustively at attempting to shape something where there is clearly strong opposition? Is this fair to either party? Would it not have been more prudent to recognize they are not in natural attunement and call it quits, thus avoiding further mutual pain?
They are at a crossroads. What occurs next dictates the future of their relationship. Only they know what is best for them. |
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#115 | |||
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Core Member [428%]
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It seems we're mostly on the same page. My logical conclusion is that D will adapt to this lifestyle and all will be peachy, even if she doesn't partake as much, or she won't. To me, simply looks like they are being cautious - I really don't see any problems. |
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#116 |
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Member [18%]
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It may be a bit Pollyanna-ish to believe so.
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. |
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#117 | |||
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Member [29%]
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If Satyr were the one "adapting" to a more conservative lifestyle, would you think it was likely? |
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#118 | |||
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Core Member [408%]
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I would be wary of that, but at the same time keep in mind (as some here don't seem to) that D is an autonomous person. (Not to say that you don't, but, again, some here seem quite cynical of her capacities.) |
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#119 |
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Veteran Member [63%]
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Wow - the thread has really exploded with activity in my absence! I'm glad that the topic has given so many people food for thought.
To clarify a few things, discussions with D have continued with her becoming very excited in a positive way about the positibility for her to explore a new fun interest with a man who has been flirting with her for months. We talk about waht that means for her and for us. They have a dinner/drink date planned for this Thursday and I'm not feeling threatened. D has given me her blessing, so to speak, to join the couple of whom I've refered in previous posts to this thread. There has been mention made that one or the other or even both of us are pushing each other to adopt the other's choice of lifestyle. There is negotiating is every relationship of how to manage various situations and still be inspired by love and desire. There was no point when I issued D an ultimatum of do this or I'm walking away. Likewise, she never issued anything like that to me. I suppose it is possible that we perceived the possibility of that happening. We acknowledge that we both have needs and that we meet many of them for each other but that some needs are outside of each other's desire or capacity to fulfill. For what it's worth, I love D, but I'm not in love with her and I have no desire to be in love with anyone. There is a clear difference between the two to me one is desire and appreciation and intense affection whereas the other (to me) becomes mindless co-dependence, which I can't abide in a relationship. When I choose to be in a relationship, it is because I mindfully chose to be so...to learn, to grow, to experience, to evolve beyond myself. I will never choose to be in a relationship for the sole purpose of being in a relationship - I would rather be alone than in an unhealthy relationship where there's no connection or growth. D and I have a connection and we are growing. |
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#120 |
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Core Member [408%]
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Aren't you scared this is a little too opportunistic on D's part, suddenly giving her blessing now that she's met someone? It almost seems like she might mostly be giving that blessing for her own benefit. Either way, this could work out nicely for you. (I'd just be a little frightful of D's attitude if it doesn't work out with that other lover.) Good on you for not feeling threatened - to me that is such a sign of emotional strength.
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#121 | |||
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Member [18%]
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Even if unexpressed, something like this comes across very clearly. The amount of negotiation you two have undergone over this is staggering. Her sudden change of heart I would view as a red flag. |
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#122 | ||||||
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Veteran Member [63%]
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I'm not going to pretend that it's easy to navigate this highly complex relationship style that I'm seeking. Like anyone, I have my moments of doubt, including self-doubt, but I've set this ship in motion, as it were, and I plan to continue to work with D for our mutual fulfillment.
Thank you wotsamattaU. I know that you're keeping me on my toes so that neither D nor I are blind-sided by unexpected emotions or turns of events, or the more obvious red flag that pops up now and then. |
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#123 |
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Veteran Member [63%]
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Much time has passed since my last entry in this thread.
Since then, talks with D have continued. I've realized that a FWB situation for involvements outside of my relationship with D is what I'm most interested in since it allows for communication and sexual exploration without the threat of a commitment that could come between D and I. In talking with D about this, she feels much more comfortable and far less threatened in knowing that I don't want anyone to come between us or replace her in my life. Things never came to fruition for D with her other man. As it turns out, the man was crude and disrespectful and D cut him loose before anything came to pass. I believe I mentioned earlier in this thread that about one year ago, I had been invited by another couple to join them, that that had caused stress for D and me, but that talks were ongoing over the past several months for me to join them again while discussing the same with D. This came to pass earlier this month and while it wasn't as spontaneous as it had been last year, it was every bit as satisfying. D and I have discussed and worked through this and while it didn't result in the pain it had last year, I discovered that D needs more communication and assurances along the way to ensure that she feels safe and loved. Also, and of great interest, the other couple has informed me that they are interested in including D in our future play. Speaking of play, D and I have availed ourselves of playing together with a few couples, which was very exciting for both of us. I would like to include that in our lifestyle more often - once per month at least. D enjoys it, but she's less invested in experiencing it that often. That's been difficult to navigate - my wanting more and her being satisfied with the occasional outing. I'm at a loss as to how to negotiate more, if she simply isn't as interested or enthusiastic as I am about it. I suppose that may come from D feeling as though she's not enough for me, or that I may not be as attracted to her as I had been, or that I'm simply drawn to that which is different. Our talks on these topics continues. I readily acknowledge that I am drawn to that which is different (ie, exotic/foreign beauty). That's always been the case since I was about 8 or 9 years old. The notion of D not being enough isn't true where emotions are concerned. With her, I feel loved and cared for and desired. When it comes to relational components, though, I find myself attracted to many women who are different in attitude, spirituality, profession, appearance...where individuality plays a key role in attraction. Perhaps that's the result of my years of attunement with polyamory. I must admit, I'm not satisfied to simply acknowledge my attraction and leave it at that. |
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#124 |
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Core Member [428%]
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One couple I know has uneven needs - one partner is more like you and the other is more content. With time and experience, both have their needs being met. That group is much more open than the average poly group it seems.
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ^ this documentary is about a particularly interesting subset of poly people. Worth watching I think. |
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#125 |
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Veteran Member [63%]
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Thanks Polymath20. I'll check that out when I'm home later.
If you know, what happened with that couple that eventually allowed for both of them to have their needs met? |
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