What Is Hierarchical Polyamory (And Is It Toxic)?
While Hierarchical Polyamory can be used as a tool of control, I don't believe it is inherently toxic. It is possible to create healthy, ethical, hierarchical polyamorous relationships. But that can only work if people understand what they are getting into.
So, let's take a moment to explore the concept of Hierarchical Polyamory and whether or not it's always unethical.
Green Flags in Polyamory: Active Communication
We are taught how to talk but not how to actively communicate, and without active communication, polyamory is infinitely harder.
Review: “Is Monogamy Dead?” by Rosie Wilby
I've always argued that sometimes you can only learn more about certain things, such as relationships, when you look at them from a new angle, and this is exactly what Wilby gives us; an open and non-judgemental exploration of non-monogamy from a monogamous viewpoint.
Green Flags in Polyamory: Actively Learning About Relationships
Society doesn’t teach us how to build healthy relationships, so look out for people who seek to learn by themselves.
What is Compersion?
If there is one word you will find yourself seeing a lot when you start your journey into polyamory, it will be the word "compersion". But what exactly is compersion, and why is it such a big part of people's discussions about ethical non-monogamy? Let’s take a closer look at it, its relationship with jealousy, and how it might be the key to healthier relationships.
Review: “polywise: A Deeper Dive in Navigating Open Relationships” By Jessica Fern with David Cooley
Between this book and her previous book, polysecure, I have become a big fan of Jessica Fern's work. And of the two, in my opinion, polywise is the superior book, offering easy-to-digest breakdowns of some of the root causes of the problems many of us suffer through when opening up our relationships and the advice and frameworks needed to navigate them.
Green Flags in Polyamory: Being Happy Being Alone
Polyamory isn't about using people to hide from yourself.
What Do I Do if My Partner Asks for an Open Relationship?
Wanting to explore polyamory is not a sign your partner is unhappy with you, but it could be beneficial (even if you don’t try it)
What do you do When Your Partner Goes Through a Breakup?
Polyamorous breakups are difficult. Things are going to change, but you have to remember this is not about you.
Polyamory Does Not Equal Consent
If you have ever had a partner use an argument along the lines of "Well, you agreed to an open relationship, so what I did was fine," then they are not thinking about you as a person but as a tool to fulfil their needs and fantasies.
They are not looking at you as a human being but as an object to be manipulated and used.
Should You Date Someone New to Polyamory?
Everyone needs to start their polyamory journey somewhere, but who takes on responsibility for teaching them?
Healthy Reasons to Explore Polyamory: Exploring and Developing your Identity
While it’s important to recognise that there are many unhealthy reasons to begin exploring polyamory, these are outweighed many times over by the valid and healthy reasons there are to start this journey, either alone or with a partner.
So let’s take a look at one of the many reasons to explore polyamory: Exploring and developing your identity.
Healthy Reasons to Explore Polyamory: Fulfilling Your Needs
While it’s important to recognise that there are many unhealthy reasons to begin exploring polyamory, these are outweighed many times over by the valid and healthy reasons there are to start this journey, either alone or with a partner.
So let’s take a look at one of the many reasons to explore polyamory: Fulfilling your and your partners’ needs.
What is Parallel Polyamory?
While some people love the idea of combining their polycules into one big happy family (often known as Kitchen Table Polyamory), others prefer to keep each relationship as a separate entity where their partners know about each other but have no desire to spend time together as a unit. This is called "Parallel Polyamory".
Healthy Reasons to Explore Polyamory: An Expression of Political Values
While it’s important to recognise that there are many unhealthy reasons to begin exploring polyamory, these are outweighed many times over by the valid and healthy reasons there are to start this journey, either alone or with a partner.
So let’s take a look at one of the many reasons to explore polyamory: An expression of political values.
Healthy Reasons to Explore Polyamory: An Exploration of Identity
While it’s important to recognise that there are many unhealthy reasons to begin exploring polyamory, these are outweighed many times over by the valid and healthy reasons there are to start this journey, either alone or with a partner.
So let’s take a look at one of the many reasons to explore polyamory: The desire to explore your identity.
Is it Okay to Keep Being Polyamorous a Secret?
Is it okay to keep being polyamorous a secret?
Everyone gets to choose how open they are. And unfortunately, sometimes people have no choice but to hide their polyamory from the world for their own safety.
6 Reasons You Shouldn’t Try Polyamory
Like so many things in life, if you come into polyamory for the wrong reasons, your journey will be forever tainted. You can't build a house on a bad foundation, and a relationship is no different. You'll never find happiness in a relationship if you began it for the wrong reasons.
Dealing with Jealousy in Polyamory
I’ll let you into a little secret. Jealousy doesn’t have to rule your life. While we might not be able to avoid it, there’s a trick you can learn to dismantle the power it has over you.