How to Convince Your Partner to Try an Open Relationship

Many people who are in monogamous relationships might be looking for something more. Your impulses and desires might lead you to the conclusion that an open relationship is the best option for you. However, this might not be the case for your primary partner. It might either be something that they have never considered, or something that they are simply against. Within this context, you probably do not want to leave your partner for an open relationship. Rather, it is more likely the case that you would like to shift your monogamous relationship with them into an open relationship, but you simply don’t know how to.

Not knowing how to make this shift is quite understandable. There really isn’t much in the way of advice out there for doing this, and also the stigma against open relationships has yet to be fully lifted. Hence, you are probably apprehensive about shifting your monogamous relationship into an open relationship.

That is why in this article we will be giving you a few tips on how to convince your partner to try an open relationship. It is important to keep in mind that these tips might not work. Your partner might be so against open relationships that there will be no convincing them. These tips are simply here to improve your odds in convincing your partner to try an open relationship with you.

Approach it with empathy

One of the most important tips we can give you when it comes time to try to convince your partner to join you in an open relationship is how you approach your conversation with them. Many people might approach their partner with this as a demand or as an ultimatum. Doing this will not only decrease your odds of convincing your partner, but it is also unfair to them. Making demands and ultimatums in a relationship is rarely ever okay. The true way you should approach it is by letting your partner know that they are integral to the decision. If at the end of the day, your partner does not want an open relationship, you must let them know that you respect their decision and will not judge them for it. Compassion and understanding will be key in your approach to persuading your partner.

Explain open relationships to them

There is so much misinformation out there when it comes to what an open relationship actually is. Many people simply think it is a sexual free-for-all with no commitment. One thing that will be crucial in trying to persuade your partner to try an open relationship is to let them know that the misconceptions about open relationships are completely false. You need to let them know that you will still be committed to them, and the only addition to the relationship will be extra sexual partners whom you are not committed to. And you must let them know that both partners must be aware of said extra sexual partners.

Explain your motivations

When you bring up trying an open relationship, your partner might have worries. These worries might be that you are no longer interested in them or that you are not satisfied with them. If these worries go unaddressed, it will be very unlikely that you will succeed in your attempts to convince them to try an open relationship. The best way to address these worries in a constructive manner is to express to your partner why you want to be in an open relationship. Being as honest as you can here will be the best route to convincing them. Even if these motivations have to do with your partner’s worries, it is important that you express this. Sometimes painful conversations are the only path forward.

Maybe let them experiment first

One thing that might help is to tell your partner that they can experiment with other sexual partners before you do. This will let them know that you trust them and are willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Also, if they agree to this, it might even make them comfortable with the idea of open relationships altogether, allowing you to succeed in your persuasive ends.

As long as you are open, honest, and compassionate with how you approach your partner on trying an open relationship, you will probably be satisfied with the answer they give you.