<p>Discovering your polyamorous identity while in a long-term monogamous relationship can feel both liberating and terrifying. It&#39;s a moment of personal truth that can shake the foundations of your partnership—and that&#39;s exactly why it deserves careful, thoughtful consideration.</p><p>When you realize something fundamental about yourself has shifted (or perhaps was always there but unnamed), it&#39;s natural to want to share this with your partner. But how do you navigate this conversation without causing unnecessary harm or rushing into territory neither of you is prepared for?</p><p><strong>In this episode, we talk about:</strong></p><p>— Why rushing into action after this realization can lead to unnecessary pain and relationship damage</p><p>— The importance of understanding what your current monogamy actually looks like before trying to change it</p><p>— How to create space for both excitement about new possibilities <em>and</em> grief about what might be changing</p><p>— The value of slowing down and sitting in the &quot;liminal space&quot; between paradigms</p><p>— Why the person bringing polyamory into the relationship needs to be mindful of their partner&#39;s need for processing time</p><p>— The difference between polyamorous identity and polyamorous behavior (you can be polyamorous without having multiple partners!)</p><p>— How to approach the conversation with care, acknowledging that it may feel like betrayal to your partner</p><p>— The importance of making explicit what has been implicit in your relationship</p><p>— Why both partners need support during this transition, regardless of who initiated the conversation</p><p><strong>Resources mentioned in this episode:</strong></p><p>— <a href="https://www.jolihamilton.com/easy">Our guide</a> for having difficult conversations with your partner</p><p>— <a href="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/joli-hamilton/episodes/172-Grieving-Change-A-Crucial-Relationship-Skill-e2ophgj">Our episode</a> on grief and relationship changes</p><p>— <a href="https://www.alexalberto.com/store">Entwined by Alex Alberto</a></p><p>JOIN The Year Of Opening® community for a full year of learning &amp; support. Registration is open now at <a href="http://www.theyearofopening.com/">⁠⁠www.TheYearOfOpening.com⁠⁠</a></p><p>Learn the <a href="https://www.jolihamilton.com/salon">5 secrets to open your relationship the smart way</a></p><p>Are you ready to open your relationship happily? Find out at <a href="http://www.joliquiz.com/">www.JoliQuiz.com</a></p><p>Get the answers you want to create the open relationship of your dreams! <a href="https://www.jolihamilton.com/ama">Sign up for an Ask Me Anything here</a></p><p>Music: Dance of Felt by <a href="https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/242798">⁠Blue Dot Sessions</a></p>