Relationships and emotions

I wrote about different stages of romantic relationships for BitchBuzz this week, and part of the reason for this was to help me understand it better myself. Topper and I have worked through a lot of stuff together over the years, but it has rarely seemed like exceptionally hard work. Why? I'm not sure, but my lack of insight into how things have worked out for us, along with my inability to analyse it, meant that my current situation with my secondary partner had started to worry me far more than it should. I'd figured out for myself that the 'honeymoon period' was over but was finding it hard to adjust so, in a rare moment of clarity, used this as inspiration for my writing.

Quite why I hadn't thought to research relationship phases before the idea for an article popped into my head is anyone's guess, but I wish I'd done it sooner as it really did help. I can see more clearly how Topper and I have got to where we are now, and can also put some perspective on how I'm currently feeling about my relationship with Benjamin. Just because we've moved on from the 'head over heels' stage, doesn't mean things are now bad. Far from it.

I have used this new-found knowledge to step back and take stock of the situation. Sometimes times are hard, but the courage to continue rather than bail out can lead to even better things. This isn't really a story about non-monogamy... it's more a tale about how learning to understand and better manage your emotions can often make the world of difference.