Its clearly all for a very important reason.
Even so, theres no denying the manyimpacts the pandemic has had on our romantic relationships.
Sure, people are finding ways to deal.
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Some are doing virtual date nights.
Impolyamorous, falling under the incredibly wide umbrella of ethical non-monogamy (ENM).
Like many others, I was isolated from my partner at the beginning of the pandemic.
I can assure you, it wasnt fun.
So how are non-monogamous folks dealing in these unprecedented times?
Were now discussing COVID-19 concerns as part of our normal safety precautions.
So its no surprise that for many of us, our communication now extends to COVID-19 risk behaviors.
Just as we ask questions like, How many partners have you had recently?
or Are you engaging in risky sexual activity?
or Are you followingbest practicesto prevent the spread of the coronavirus?
Admittedly, it can feel more intrusive than usual, but its worth it.
The way someone responds to me tells me a lot about them.
It can help me decide whether we might be a good match or not.
Some folks are forming poly-bubbles.
Many are feeling the emotional toll of supporting multiple partners.
Obviously, life has changed drastically for many of us.
With that comesimmense emotional turmoil.
Those with multiple partners may find themselves acting as a pillar of support for each and every partner.
Its hard to sustain.
The way I cope is to remind myself and others that this is only temporary.
Some people have a hard time seeing through the day-to-day and find it stifling or tiresome.
Feeling isolated plays with your feelings.
Weve had to recalibrate our relationships in response to COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a lot of us to have difficult conversations about our partnerships.
Some of these conversations are revealing hierarchies within previously equal relationships.
For example, partners might start to feel more or less prioritized thanks to the logistics of the pandemic.
That said, one of the nice things about non-monogamy is that relationships can be fluid more easily.
Its not uncommon for relationships to transition from serious to casual, or from romantic to platonic.
Folks are getting creative due to long-term separation.
Abiding by quarantine and social distancing is pretty much a hallmark of pandemic relationship struggles.
As SELFpreviously reported, some polyamorous people who are quarantined with their partners are facing some logistical challenges.
Established partners arent the only ones dealing with logistical troubles, either.
Because her partner is immunocompromised, they had to be extra careful.
Our food arrived around the same time so we could share the meal together [on video chat].
Many are putting emotional connection in the front seat.
Thankfully, I’ve been able to meet up with them in person a small number of times since.
Were asking new questions while cohabitating for pandemic purposes.
For some, its required a lot of self-reflection.
Like if we were bringing partners home to stay the night, would we have separate rooms?
Or [would we] stay at other peoples houses?
I also dont know if thats even a good idea.
Just because something works doesnt mean its right.
More of us are connecting in online polyam communities.
But theres considerably less access to free love in, say, rural areas.
Unsurprisingly, communication is still paramount for poly people.
This is always true for ethical non-monogamy and many of us are leaning hard on our skills.
That said, just because we have practice doesnt mean were not struggling, too.
Luckily, Morgan has some advice for anyone dealing with the challenges on this list and beyond.
If we want our relationships to survive, proactive communication is a must, she says.
When radical honesty is part of our daily lives, it helps us stay solution-oriented.
It offers relief and healing.
