Open
Swinging and polyamory are two types of open relationships, but there are so many more ways to explore being open! Whether you call it Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM) or Consensual Non-Monogamy (CNM), being in an open relationship can present different challenges for all the partners involved. Discover how to go from monogamy to an open relationship, how to talk to your partner about swinging and open relationships, what the swinging lifestyle and open lifestyles are really like, and much more. Whether you're a newbie to open relationships or a veteran ethical non-monogamist, you'll find resources to guide you.
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Choosing Your First Lifestyle Destination
Not every destination that looks exciting online turns out to be the right place for your first trip. Here's how to actually pick one.
Me Time You Time
Talking to Your Partner Before Your First Event
The conversation that actually matters happens before you walk in the door, not during it.
How to Vet a New Partner in ENM Before You're Emotionally In
New Relationship Energy quietly edits what you overlook. Ask the real questions early, while your head is clear enough for the answers to matter.
From Mild to Wild: Caliente’s Spicy Lifestyle
The bare truth about one of the world’s hottest clothing-optional destinations.
Is Swinging Exclusive to Couples?
If someone wants to be a swinger but isn't in a couple, can they still swing?
Boundaries vs. Borders: Why Most People Confuse the Two
Most of us set borders when we mean boundaries. Discover the simple shift that helps you feel safe without trying to control your partner.
Is Polyamory or Swinging Just Cheating With Extra Steps?
Cheating is defined by what's hidden; ENM by what's agreed. Here's why the difference isn't semantics, and how to answer the question with grace.
What Is DADT (Don't Ask, Don't Tell) in Non-Monogamy
DADT gets a bad rap. People hear "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and assume secrecy, avoidance or a relationship built on not-knowing.
SDC: How to Find Friends & Connect
Just like with any social network or online community, it's exciting to have and make new friends on SDC.
Polyamory vs. Open Relationship vs. Swinging
Non-monogamy terms get used interchangeably, but they're not. Here's how to tell them apart and pick the structure that fits you.
The Jealousy Reset Protocol
Jealousy isn't the problem. What you do in the sixty seconds after you feel it, that's the whole ballgame.
My Partner Wants to Open Our Relationship and I Don't
I'll lead with what's wrong with him, or with how a genuine desire and a genuine no can only end one way: slowly, in silence.
The Checkmate Manhattan Experience: Beyond The Velvet Ropes
One lucky couple gives their firsthand account of a night at one of New York City’s most exclusive swingers’ clubs that was so amazing, they sought a repeat performance the following night.