Open and closed relationships: what is right for you?

What is an open relationship – really?

An open relationship creates space for intimate or romantic experiences beyond the primary partnership. It is not merely about permission to be with someone else – it is a way of being in a relationship that is built on deep trust, transparent communication, and mutually agreed boundaries. People who choose open relationships often speak of greater freedom, the opportunity to explore their sexuality, or inspiration that comes from connecting with different people. Openness, however, does not mean the absence of challenges. Jealousy, fear, insecurity, or the need for reassurance may arise. This makes open dialogue, sensitivity to one’s own emotions and to a partner’s experience, and mutual respect for agreed space all the more essential.

What qualities does a closed relationship offer?

A closed, monogamous relationship is based on exclusivity – emotional and physical. For many people, this exclusivity is a source of deep safety, stability, and trust.

Knowing that we belong to each other can create a strong bond that grows over time and opens space for sharing deeper layers of connection.

Even in closed relationships, however, nothing is fixed forever. Here too, it is important to stay in touch with one’s needs, to share what is changing, and to allow space for new impulses – including those that may initially be unexpected. Openness to these inner voices can be the beginning of an important conversation.

How to recognize what is right for you (and your relationship)?

There is no single “correct” way of relating. Each of us is different – and even within a couple, our inner maps may vary.

What matters is finding a path that aligns with who you truly are – not only at the beginning of a relationship, but throughout its course, as our needs naturally evolve over time.

You may find it helpful to reflect on these areas:

◆ Communication: Are you able to speak openly and respectfully together? Do you give each other space to listen without needing to always assert your own view?
◆ Trust: Do you feel safe and accepted in the relationship as you are? Do you trust each other even in moments of uncertainty?
◆ Self-awareness: Do you know your boundaries, needs, and values? Can you distinguish what comes from your heart and what is merely an echo of external expectations?

In conclusion

Whether you are drawn to an exclusive or an open relationship, what matters most is that it is conscious, honest, and nourishing for both partners. A relationship does not need to follow any social template. It simply needs to be a truthful reflection of the two of you. It is precisely there – in a space of trust, mutual attunement, and free choice – that the deepest connection can emerge, transforming the relationship into a space of growth, playfulness, and intimate joy.