The article was written in partnership with BetterHelp.
Many students date when they are in college, and for some, this may be the first time that they develop serious feelings for another person.
For this reason, it is necessary to understand what monogamy is, so you can decide if it is something you want for your relationship.
Here are a few tips to think about:
Monogamy
According to BetterHelp, a monogamous relationship involves two people dating exclusively. In other words, there are only two people in a relationship.
This is something that many people practice, but it isn’t the only type of connection that is possible.
If you are already in a relationship or are interested in one, there are a few ways to understand if monogamy may be the right choice for you.
Consider Your Wants and Expectations
It is important to determine what you are looking for out of a relationship and what you expect as well.
For example, if you want to be able to date other people, this is something that you need to be honest with yourself and your partner about.
Be sure to take all the time you need to figure out what makes you happy, so you can decide on whether you want to be in a monogamous couple or not.
At the same time, you need to be willing to hear your partner out about the things they want as well. This is the only way that you will be able to make a compromise if this is necessary.
Determine if Dating One Person is Working
When you have been dating someone for a while, think about if you are getting everything out of the relationship that you need.
If you are not, you may wish to date other people or add another person to your couple.
This is something else that you should talk to your partner about, if you haven’t already, and find out what their thoughts are.
There are many ways to practice non-monogamy, which may work for you and your relationship.
As long as everyone is willing to be honest and talk about issues that might pop up along the way, there’s no reason you can’t be happy.
Try it Out
Essentially, the only way to know if you want to be monogamous or not is to try it. If you are dating one person and you feel like you are not living your life like you want to, this may not be the type of dating you are interested in.
On the other hand, if you meet a person and you think you see a future with this individual, where you may one day get married and have kids together, this could mean that you wish to be monogamous.
Always be open with each other and set clear expectations. This can be helpful in any type of relationship.
Conclusion
Finding the right person or persons for you may be difficult, but it is up to you to decide if you would like to be monogamous with one person or you may need a different type of relationship to feel fulfilled.
Talk to your partner about their thoughts and views and together you might be able to reach a compromise.
Keep in mind that only you can decide if you want to be monogamous or not.
There’s no right or wrong answer. Try it and determine how you feel.
