Overcome Your Jealousy
Jealousy. The green-eyed monster of relationships.
And guess what? it’s not JUST monogamous relationships that experience this!
Jealousy is a natural human emotion, meaning it exists in swinging, polyamory, and open relationships too.
However, it can be beaten.
But before we get started, here’s something very important:
If you are the type of person, that gets jealous easily (and you don’t see that changing anytime soon), then you can stop right here.
Swinging isn’t for you.
But if the thought of someone else giving your SO other pleasure, not only turns you on but absolutely excites you,
then you’ve come to the right place.
Now let’s slay that beast once and for all.
First up-
It’s a YOU problem
When jealousy crops up in an open relationship, it’s often a signal to look inward.
Identifying the source of these feelings is a crucial step towards managing them.
You might find out, that what you’re interpreting as a threat to your relationship, is actually your own self-doubt or fear of abandonment popping up.
So you’ll first need to develop a thicker skin, and here’s a step-by-step on how to do it:
Step 1: Identify your insecurities
What exactly is triggering your jealousy?
Sit down and figure out, what specific thoughts or situations trigger your jealousy.
Is it a specific action from your partner, or something about your own self-image?
Step 2: Examine the Impact
Consider how acting on jealous impulses affects your connection with your partner.
Does it bring you closer, or does it create distance?
STEP 3: Seek support
If you’re still struggling to accept your emotions, then therapy or journaling is the way to go.
Insecurity shows up in many ways, and jealousy is usually a symptom of deeper issues, which you’ll need to resolve first.
By addressing these, you’re not just improving your relationship—you’re also growing as a person.
Try these steps to change your mindset:
Write down your negative thoughts.
Challenge these thoughts and look for evidence that disproves them.
Replace negative thoughts with positive, truthful statements about yourself.
Engage in activities that boost your confidence and make you feel good.
By working on these areas,
you can start to break down the patterns of thinking that fuel your jealousy.
STEP 4: Understanding Triggers is the Key
You’ve got to understand that, overcoming jealousy is something that takes time.
First, you have to work on yourself.
Then you have to work on your communication.
You need to speak to your partner, address those feelings, and overcome them together. That’s why it’s pretty important to know what triggers to look out for in the future.
Unfortunately for you, you tend to only discover what they are, AFTER you’ve experienced them.
Here are some of the more common triggers that might evoke jealousy in an open relationship:
Acting flirtatiously with others
Crossing established boundaries
Concealing social interactions
Frequently praising another person
Secretive behavior
Being aware of these triggers can help you and your partner
address them proactively before they become bigger issues.
Step 5: Overcome it & Enjoy Yourself
So if you’re about to explore with another couple for the first time,
the best thing you can do is-
Take it slow.
Clearly communicate that you are new and might stop at any time. Also, keep an eye on your partner, and if at any point you sense something isn’t feeling comfortable for either of you, stop. Afterward, sit down with your partner and clearly communicate your feelings.
Be honest about what you liked, didn't like, and so on.
But don’t wait on having the conversation. It’s crucial to address your feelings directly, rather than letting them fester. Initiating this conversation can be daunting, but it’s a necessary step to prevent these emotions from escalating.
Here’s how to approach the conversation:
Identify what made you feel jealous and be ready to discuss it.
Choose a calm, private setting for the talk.
Use “I” statements to express your feelings without blaming your partner.
Remember that jealousy is natural, but finding solutions together is the goal.
Be open to your partner’s perspective—they might be feeling the same way.
Having a calm but honest discussion about what you’re feeling can go a long way toward relieving jealousy.
It is important to approach this constructively, explaining that you’re not accusing your partner of infidelity,
but you’ve been experiencing some jealous feelings, and you want to talk through them.
Conclusion
Remember, the objective is not to place blame but to understand each other better.
If your partner isn’t responding as expected, give them time to process the conversation. It’s also essential to consider your partner’s feelings and the possibility that they might also be experiencing jealousy.
Jealousy often stems from fear and insecurity—fear that your partner doesn’t love you enough or might leave you for someone else. But if your relationship is strong and based on mutual love and respect, these fears are usually unfounded.
By putting in the work,
having tough conversations, and
overcoming insecurities,
jealousy can become a thing of the past.
You’ll create a relationship where you can openly share attractions to others without fear or judgment.