Feelings are Hard

TyrantQueen04

New member
Hi there, I was on a few months ago, posting about my husband and I deciding to explore the lifestyle. I am trying to sort through some feelings I have been having and I am hoping that "writing" it all down will help me process and find out what's going on in my head. I fear that I am a rambler, so please bear with me. Let’s start at the beginning:

I've only had two serious romantic relationships in my life (I'm only 28, so I still have lots of time). An ex-girlfriend who sort of introduced me to poly (though neither of us knew that term or what we were doing). When I was 19, my girlfriend and I lived together, and she wanted to experience what it would be like to date men, I was reluctant, but didn't want to lose her, and so I let her wander around and found myself wandering around as well. After some time, she broke up with me with an "I love you D but I don't want you anymore" which was devastating to my young heart (If I only knew then what I know now eh?). After that, I explored my sexuality, though I refused to form committed relationships. When my now-husband and I met, we were working in the same job, and he was dating someone else (there is evidently a very entertaining story about him seeing me win "his" tv in a company competition and him declaring that he would marry me to which his horrified cubby neighbor reminded him he had a girlfriend). J and I started dating in September 2014, discovered we were pregnant by that thanksgiving and were married by April of 2015. Throughout the years, he has brought up the possibility of polyamory several times, since he knows that I am bisexual and wanted to make sure that all of my needs were taken care of. We finally decided to take the plunge around the time COVID was picking up here in the US.

We have discussed the desire for a closed triad (though we know the likelihood of that is very slim) and understand that until we find someone who would want that with us, we should not limit ourselves to dating only bisexual women who are interested in that. We got on OkCupid, and met a wonderful young woman who I will refer to as Maze. Maze was only interested in NSA sex. So our first interaction outside of our marriage was a threesome with Maze, and it was amazing. At the time I was very grateful that our first experience outside of our marriage was together and we were able to "temperature check" one another (now I'm wondering if maybe this bit me in the ass). J had a few encounters with her after that, by himself as Maze was more interested in him than she was me. During these encounters, I never once felt jealousy or envy, J hasn't had much opportunity to explore his sexuality, and never had an NSA FWB deal, so he was excited to explore. And I was happy that he was happy (compersion). Maze moved on after a few dates, and J started talking to other women. Throughout this time, I have also been on OKC and trying to connect with people, however, I either don't get a response, or I have an interesting conversation that maybe lasts a few days, and then the other woman stops responding (full-on "Ghost Mode"). We start looking into other dating sites because OKC is... well anyone who has been on recently will understand... OKC is transitioning from a matchmaking service to a swiping service where you aren't really given someone's profile to read, but a picture, and you can choose to read after that. I can't tell you how many compatibility questions I answered (the last count was 1750 but who’s counting?), but no one else seems to answer them ("the generation of matching and not connecting" was said, and I felt that deep). So, we paid for a subscription on BiCupid, which was marginally better, but not exponentially. And of course, Tinder. I still have had the damndest time connecting with other women, however, J has had many conversations, and has begun dating someone. I will refer to her as Astrid. Astrid is very sweet (from what I’ve heard) and J actually had sex with her on the first date, much to his horror. Horror only because he has never done that before, and he didn’t call me to make sure that I was okay with it. I told him when we first sat down and negotiated how our poly relationship would look that however his relationships evolved organically I was okay with, even if it means sex on the first date (after all, who am I to judge when I was pregnant after dating for two months) and really, honestly and truly, I was okay with the sex. They have now met up several times for dates (after which there is almost always some sort of sexual interaction whether it's just her giving him a BJ or actual intercourse). Each subsequent date ends up the same, he comes home, he empties his pockets and takes off his shoes. I ask “Did you have a good time?” to which he replies “I did, yeah” and gives me a nice little recap of the night, and I break down crying. And here is where I’m stuck.

I honest to god don’t feel like its jealousy (this is a feeling I’m very familiar with as most of my relationship with my ex-girlfriend consisted of this feeling) and I really don’t feel like its envy either because I don’t want what they have (because I already have more of him emotionally than she does, I’ve put in the time and the diapers and the back rubs and feet rubs, I know what he likes in bed and frequently give it to him). J and I have sex almost every night, so it's not that they have sex every time they meet up (I’m already getting way more of that than I need!). So why the tears? This may sound strange, but they aren’t hurt tears, I don’t feel any of the normal hurt feelings (like depression, or anger), but they aren’t happy tears either (though I am happy that he is connecting with her and that they are having fun together). I cannot figure out why I break down every time he goes out with her.

J believes that its because when they go out, I am imagining them experiencing the same fireworks and swoons that we experienced causing our relationship to skyrocket into marriage. He wonders that if I meet her (which she has said that she does want to meet me and we have been trying to find out when a good time to meet is between all of our schedules) and see that there isn’t fireworks and swooning between them that I will feel better, and the tears will go away. But I’m not entirely convinced… I’m not imagining anything between them when they are out, usually, I'm immersed in a tv show that I don’t get to watch throughout the day (between work and having a 5-year-old, there isn’t much time for Supernatural). But maybe I’m just distracting myself until he comes home and then the flood gates are opened?

I know this was a lot, and I apologize, if you made it to the end without giving up on me I tip my hat to you. And thank you in advance for any insight you may have 😊
 
Could it be grief? The dynamic in your relationship is changing. And while you want these changes, the dynamic is shifting and things are changing in your relationship which may be causing some sadness. It doesn't necessarily have to mean that opening your relationship isn't right for you, it just means you may need time to adjust. I think this can be especially true this year because of COVID (and the collective and individual grief we all have for the changes its brought which can deepen grief over other things.)

Poly has also meant for me, unlearning all the societal conditioning regarding monogamy. I had to grieve that feeling of specialness/ uniqueness I felt in monogamous relationships.

And then, there's the fear of missing out, too. If you're use to experiencing things with your hubby, you may feel fear or sadness that you're not involved in this aspect of his life. If that's the case, you may very well feel better after you meet her.... assuming that you get along ok.

If it really bothers you, you could delve further into the feelings and try to unpack them. Or, you could just sit with them, knowing that they will pass, as feelings always do. Since you're pretty sure it isn't jealousy, I may be more inclined to do this. Practice some self compassion and remember that it's OK to feel what you're feeling even if it feels at odds with what you want.
 
Thank you pink, I will certainly analyze. This makes a lot of sense though... grief isn’t a feeling that I am very familiar with. So it is certainly in the realm of possibility
 
Hmm, I find it a bit weird that you know as much as you do about what they do and when. I'd cut that out. And maybe break the routine of asking if he had a good time, just say hi and start talking about other things. If something truly exceptional happened, I'm sure he would tell you but otherwise, maybe relax with the debrief after every date.
 
I'm not sure what else to add. I'll try to take a stab at it.

Throughout the years, he has brought up the possibility of polyamory several times, since he knows that I am bisexual and wanted to make sure that all of my needs were taken care of. We finally decided to take the plunge around the time COVID was picking up here in the US.

What needs were missing? You don't actually say.

When I was 19, my girlfriend and I lived together, and she wanted to experience what it would be like to date men, I was reluctant, but didn't want to lose her, and so I let her wander around and found myself wandering around as well. After some time, she broke up with me with an "I love you D but I don't want you anymore" which was devastating to my young heart

Are you worried this serious relationship will end up like that one? Are you only doing poly so as not to lose him?

Astrid is very sweet (from what I’ve heard) and J actually had sex with her on the first date, much to his horror. Horror only because he has never done that before, and he didn’t call me to make sure that I was okay with it. I told him when we first sat down and negotiated how our poly relationship would look that however his relationships evolved organically I was okay with, even if it means sex on the first date (after all, who am I to judge when I was pregnant after dating for two months) and really, honestly and truly, I was okay with the sex.

Maybe you are ok with sex, but are struggling with seeing him develop a loving connection? And that part is harder?

Each subsequent date ends up the same, he comes home, he empties his pockets and takes off his shoes. I ask “Did you have a good time?” to which he replies “I did, yeah” and gives me a nice little recap of the night, and I break down crying. And here is where I’m stuck.

Maybe you don't need to hear the detailed recap? Have you considered that?

I honest to god don’t feel like its jealousy (this is a feeling I’m very familiar with as most of my relationship with my ex-girlfriend consisted of this feeling) and I really don’t feel like its envy either because I don’t want what they have (because I already have more of him emotionally than she does, I’ve put in the time and the diapers and the back rubs and feet rubs, I know what he likes in bed and frequently give it to him). J and I have sex almost every night, so it's not that they have sex every time they meet up (I’m already getting way more of that than I need!). So why the tears?

Do you need something else other than sex? When was the last time you and he had a date on your own? Something else other than work and parenting?

Galagirl
 
Hi Gala,

What needs were missing? You don't actually say.
I don’t actually feel there were any needs being unattended to, he was just worried that there was. I do wish I had some more female companionship but I don’t make friends easily.

Are you worried this serious relationship will end up like that one? Are you only doing poly so as not to lose him?
No, I more so put this in here because it was on my mind and I wanted to show how little experience I have with relationships. We have a strong loving relationship, not anything like the relationship with my ex. We both want this, we both feel like we have a lot more love to offer and want to share that love with others

Maybe you are ok with sex, but are struggling with seeing him develop a loving connection? And that part is harder?
I have had a lot of casual sex, after she broke up with me and before he and I got together I spent 4 years just jumping into bed with whoever wanted it, not building connections. So I can see why just sex wouldn’t bother me, but I am happy that they are building a loving connection. J is a very physically affectionate person, his love language is touch. And I’m not, I do let him love on me, and try to give him all the touch I can, but I know he could use more. So I’m happy he is finding someone else to help “fill up his love meter”

Maybe you don't need to hear the detailed recap? Have you considered that?
I haven’t considered this because it’s just second nature to ask, I do the same when he hangs out with his friends. I can certainly try, like Seasoned recommended, just saying hi and moving on but I like knowing he had a good time, I like sharing his happiness and his sadness, and I know part of poly requires us to disentangle from each other, but it really makes me feel good to know he feels good, I’m a very empathic person.

Do you need something else other than sex? When was the last time you and he had a date on your own? Something else other than work and parenting?
It’s been a while since we went on a date just the two of us, we can rarely find someone to watch the little one while we are out, and with Covid, I don’t like the idea of hiring a babysitter simply because we visit my grandmother regularly and she is 87, and we also visit Js mom who has no spleen, so some of our main interactions outside the house are people who are high risk. However, we do take time after he goes to bed to snuggle on the couch and watch tv or play games together, I feel properly bonded to him, and we do go on family dates quite regularly.

I think that pink may have nailed it with grief, it makes perfect sense that I would need to grieve the old relationship model, while we move on to the new one, and I don’t feel bad, I don’t feel sad or angry, I don’t feel hurt when I cry, I just cry.

Thanks Gala
 
I had a long term partner who would ask more about my other relationships than other people and mostly he took what I him happily. It just seemed like interest. But about one in ten times, or probably one in fifteen, something would provoke an emotional response I just wasn't expecting. And it was so random. I couldn't even say the different things were connected really. You couldn't anticipate what would make it happen. It was like Russian Roulette and would make me so anxious.
 
I haven’t considered this because it’s just second nature to ask, I do the same when he hangs out with his friends. I can certainly try, like Seasoned recommended, just saying hi and moving on but I like knowing he had a good time, I like sharing his happiness and his sadness, and I know part of poly requires us to disentangle from each other, but it really makes me feel good to know he feels good, I’m a very empathic person.

You can share in his joys and concerns without hearing TMI details. It's not just his info. It's Astrid's info also and she might not want TMI details being shared. Every dyad needs their own privacy.

I think that pink may have nailed it with grief, it makes perfect sense that I would need to grieve the old relationship model, while we move on to the new one, and I don’t feel bad, I don’t feel sad or angry, I don’t feel hurt when I cry, I just cry.

If it is grief, that the old model is over and the new model hasn't settled in yet... let it be grief, let it pass.

Galagirl
 
Hi TyrantQueen,

I think the tears are because you are transitioning from just you and J, to you, J, and someone J loves. This is not necessarily a sad thing, it is just something you are not emotionally acclimated to. So you are having an emotional reaction to it, this doesn't mean you are jealous or anything like that, it's just like, "Wow, I didn't think anything so different would ever come into my life, I'm not sure how I feel about this." And then you cry. But that doesn't necessarily mean you want J to stop seeing Maze.

Does that make sense?

That and the fact that Covid-19 multiplies all emotional reactions, at least I think it does. Like you are thinking, "What does it mean that he would develop much closeness between him and Maze in the midst of this pandemic?" and maybe that makes you cry too. It is a complicated feeling, that may have nothing to do with jealousy. At least that is my initial impression.

Much regards,
Kevin T.
 
Back
Top