{"id":267,"date":"2025-11-04T04:56:18","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T04:56:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abundantandfree.love\/?p=267"},"modified":"2025-11-04T04:56:18","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T04:56:18","slug":"this-is-a-story-of-living-the-poly-dream-and-nightmare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abundantandfree.love\/index.php\/2025\/11\/04\/this-is-a-story-of-living-the-poly-dream-and-nightmare\/","title":{"rendered":"This is a story of living the poly dream (&#8230;and nightmare?)."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As you may have gathered from my last post, Project Girlfriend has been a success!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Things happened in a different way than I expected, of course. I shouldn\u2019t really be surprised at this point because the way I envision things is rarely how they actually turn out. And yet, I believe that usually, they turn out the way that they were meant to. I choose to trust in myself and the universe to get me where I need to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, I have two girlfriends now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Audrey has her own post here, and my other girlfriend\u2019s pseudonym shall be Lila. The relationship that I have with Lila is unique and brings me a lot of joy. It\u2019s unique because Lila wants emotional intimacy and non-sexual physical affection, but she doesn\u2019t want sexual intimacy to be a part of our relationship. She said she wanted to be girlfriends in a more-than-platonic way, but not sexual&#8211; and through this experience, I learned that there\u2019s a term for such relationships! It\u2019s called an alterous relationship.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lila is someone whom I\u2019m very drawn to, and I think she\u2019s super pretty, and cute, and so fucking cool. I also feel the sparks when we touch, and before we defined the relationship I was very much planning to kiss her when I got the chance. But fortunately, we are both great communicators and were able to talk through what we each wanted and were comfortable with, to land where we are now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One good thing about being an empath, for me, is that my attraction and especially the chemistry I feel with others is very empathic. When I find someone attractive, and that someone is also into me, it makes me feel even more into them. The desire creates and\/or enhances the chemistry, like, A LOT. So when it became clear that I couldn\u2019t have the relationship I originally wanted with Lila, I was able to pivot. She didn\u2019t reject me, she just doesn\u2019t feel the same kind of attraction, and that\u2019s okay. I am still so happy to have her in my life, in whatever capacity I am able to. I\u2019m so happy to call her my girlfriend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another surprise with Lila is that she came with the unexpected bonus of a very sweet and hot husband, whom I\u2019ll call Chase. After I met him, and after she expressed her desire to be asexual in our relationship, I casually mentioned that I thought he was hot. I was a little worried about upsetting her, but to my relief she was actually happy to hear it! She has been so supportive and encouraging of us exploring a relationship, and legitimately seems to enjoy the dynamics. It\u2019s been really fun to meet someone who has as much compersion for her partner as I do for Romeo!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I recently had my first date with Chase and the buildup to that was pretty intense for me. When Lila told me that he was also attracted to me, I was super giddy. But there was a bit of a waiting period after that, because he wanted to think it through first (or at least, that\u2019s the impression I got from Lila). I didn\u2019t want to be too aggressive in pursuing it, because I didn\u2019t want to make things weird between any of us, so I waited patiently to see what would happen. Eventually, we started texting and planned a date.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The more I thought about kissing him and touching him, the more it started to feel like a chemical reaction waiting to happen. It\u2019s not very common for me to feel this level of sexual craving for someone! As slutty as I am, I find sex to be fun and enjoy the emotional intimacy that comes with it, but I honestly don\u2019t get\u2026 shall we say, thirsty?&#8230; like this for many people. I get that feeling of butterflies and desire-verging-on-need every time I think about all the things I\u2019d like to do with him. It\u2019s one of my favorite feelings, and I\u2019m savoring every minute of it!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we did have our date, I was super nervous because of all of the buildup (in my head, or otherwise). Until that first line is crossed of initiating non-platonic physical touch, I never know how to act around a person I\u2019m into. I think on some level, I don\u2019t want to seem too eager because I\u2019m afraid of rejection, so I hold back until I know that they are truly inviting my affection.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Chase, I noticed some tentative light touches while we were walking around, but I was still trying to play it cool so I didn\u2019t react. It was only later in the night, after we\u2019d talked and hung out for a while, that he finally kissed me. And it was worth the wait! He\u2019s the kind of guy who likes to take things a little slower than I typically do, so it was a fun experience of holding myself back and being deliciously teased by him, while slowly testing to see what he was ready for. *Not me panting as I write this, thinking about how his hands felt all over me.* There have been a few people in my life who have made me literally pant, and he is now one of them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We also have a really comfortable and warm emotional connection, and I can foresee that growing stronger and stronger as we get to know each other more. There was a point during our date in which we were cuddled up together very closely and the feeling of being wrapped up in his arms was downright heavenly. The way he gently brushed the hair from my face and nuzzled me\u2026 ooof. This is the good shit, y\u2019all. But I need to stop thinking about him now so I don\u2019t spontaneously combust.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So! Another new connection I have is with a woman I\u2019ll call Melanie. We have a lot in common and a comfortable rapport, which is a really great base for the goal of our relationship&#8211; which is mainly to explore domme\/sub dynamics. I need an emotional connection, too, and feel that we have that in the perfect amount for exploring a more casual relationship than what is typical for me. We recently had our first date as well, and the chemistry was excellent. I\u2019m very excited to explore more with her! I\u2019m also really appreciative of the mutual understanding and low-pressure nature of our relationship thus far. We both have a lot going on, and are looking forward to playing together when we are able to, without feeling tied down (at least not figuratively\u2026 tehehe). It\u2019s perfect for where I\u2019m at because I am very poly-saturated.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Romeo and I have recently developed another relationship with a new play partner, as well. I\u2019ll call him Jasper. He is very enjoyable to have threesomes with and oh so talented at all of the things. He\u2019s also very low maintenance, which again, is a good fit for our lives right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last, but not least, is Romeo\u2019s new partner (and I suspect soon-to-be-girlfriend), whom I will call Mina. They met recently and hit it off right away in a big way. It has been so wonderful to see him feeling giddy and excited about someone, and to see that being reciprocated! This is what I have wanted for him for a long time. A bonus with Mina is that she\u2019s also bisexual and very interested in having threesomes with us. While my focus will remain on supporting their one-on-one relationship, I\u2019m also more than happy to join in on the fun when the vibe and opportunity arises.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So there you have it: a thorough update of my poly life. As you can probably imagine, as much as I am thrilled to have all of these amazing connections, I\u2019m also struggling a bit with managing poly-saturation and finding balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having two girlfriends wasn\u2019t something I\u2019d planned on. Having two girlfriends, a long-distance boyfriend, a potential new boyfriend, three new play partners, and a handful of lovers was <em>certainly<\/em> not my plan, either! But, here we are. And I\u2019m not going to lie, balancing a family, a husband, and all of these relationships, while also supporting <em>his <\/em>poly relationships is A LOT.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My main tool for managing it all is organization, particularly with scheduling. As much as I wish I could be more spontaneous with my social life, I know that at this stage of my life that is not a realistic approach. What works for me is generally planning ahead, dividing my time as fairly as possible between my various priorities based on the specific needs of each, and embracing the reality that I can\u2019t immerse myself in any one relationship the same way I could when I was only with one person. I can\u2019t make any single relationship my whole world, because my whole world is so much bigger than that. I have a lot of people to love and be loved by, and I\u2019m doing my best to make sure everyone is getting what they need. I know that I will never be completely successful in that endeavor, but I can do my best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And now it\u2019s time for a poly partner roundup! Here is my full roster at this time: aside from my husband, <strong>Romeo<\/strong>, who is my primary partner, my polycule now includes my long-distance boyfriend <strong>Benny<\/strong>, his wife Clementine (my metamour), my girlfriend <strong>Audrey<\/strong>, her husband Emmett (my metamour), my (alterous) girlfriend <strong>Lila<\/strong>, her husband (my metamour, and hopefully soon-to-be-lover-and-maybe-boyfriend <strong>Chase<\/strong>, my friend and lover <strong>Gerry<\/strong> (also Romeo\u2019s), Gerry\u2019s wife Nadine (my metamour and Romeo\u2019s occasional FWB), mine and Romeo\u2019s playmate <strong>Jasper<\/strong>, my soon-to-be playmate <strong>Melanie<\/strong> (who also has two partners, but I won\u2019t include in this list because I don\u2019t think I\u2019m likely to meet them), and Romeo\u2019s new partner (and probably soon-to-be playmate for me) <strong>Mina<\/strong>. And that\u2019s not even including the other connections I had started to explore but now have virtually no time for. Unfortunately, my time is not infinite.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think the hardest part of being poly for me right now is feeling like there\u2019s not enough of me to go around, and worrying about disappointing someone (or everyone). It\u2019s also strangely difficult for me to feel like <em>I<\/em> want more of everyone, but don\u2019t have any more time to see them more. That being said, the fact that I don\u2019t get tremendous amounts of time with anyone, other than Romeo, means that the time I do get with each person is that much more precious. I find myself being more present when I\u2019m with my partners, because I truly want to enjoy every minute I have with them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I know that it\u2019s a really big struggle for Romeo to share so much of my time with others. I know that he feels that he doesn\u2019t have nearly enough, and <em>that<\/em> is a hard thing for me not to feel bad about. I care about his happiness more than almost anything else in the world&#8211; but my journey right now is very much about learning to love myself more and put my own happiness first. Even writing that feels wrong, to be honest. Putting my own happiness first sounds selfish. But I know that I need to take care of myself if I want to be able to continue to pour into others, and I am learning to believe that I deserve to be happy, too. It\u2019s a process, and poly is a really beautiful way for me to learn to embrace this more and more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As you may have gathered from my last post, Project Girlfriend has been a success! Things happened in a different way than I expected, of course. I shouldn\u2019t really be surprised at this point because the way I envision things is rarely how they actually turn out. And yet, I believe that usually, they turn&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/abundantandfree.love\/index.php\/2025\/11\/04\/this-is-a-story-of-living-the-poly-dream-and-nightmare\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">This is a story of living the poly dream (&#8230;and nightmare?).<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-267","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/abundantandfree.love\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/abundantandfree.love\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/abundantandfree.love\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abundantandfree.love\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abundantandfree.love\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=267"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/abundantandfree.love\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":269,"href":"https:\/\/abundantandfree.love\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267\/revisions\/269"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/abundantandfree.love\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=267"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abundantandfree.love\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=267"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abundantandfree.love\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=267"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}