You know you’re not ready for a long-term relationship, but you want to have some fun during the lonely nights.
You wonder if you can have a relationship with someone that’s also noncommittal. Can you find the one?
Fortunately, you’re not alone. Many people prefer the FWB (friends-with-benefits) relationship because, like you, they’re not ready to commit yet.
So, is the friends-with-benefits arrangement right for you? Kindly read on to learn more.
What Does FWB Mean?
A friends-with-benefits is a relationship wherein two individuals become physically intimate without commitment.
Each person enjoys being with each other in a no-strings-attached and romantic relationship.
Dating vs. Friends with Benefits
If you date someone, you develop unique romantic feelings for the other person.
However, if you’re in a friends-with-benefits connection, you’re only intimate without emotional attachment and commitment.
Moreover, each can date other people. You can have casual sex with anyone because you and your FWB partner aren’t committed to each other.
How To Know If FWB Fits You
If you want to be in an FWD relationship, you should first find out if it’s the right thing for you. You should know if it’s beneficial for you.
Why FWB Can Work For You
FWB doesn’t involve emotional investment and commitment. It’s a no-strings-attached relationship that can be attractive for you because of the following reasons:
- You enjoy the physical benefit without commitment
- You have interest in fulfilling your sexual needs in an open relationship
- You don’t want emotional connection but enjoy the physical aspects of a romantic relationship
Who Should Avoid FWB Relationships
On the other hand, a friends-with-benefits relationship may not be for you if you don’t know what it entails. Moreover, it may make you feel unimportant or unfulfilled; thus, you’ll only nurse a broken heart in the end.
If you get into a casual connection, you may be unsuccessful in a committed relationship over the long term because you only focus on the physical aspect of a romantic relationship.
How to Have a Healthy FWB Relationship
You should fully accept and understand its meaning if you push through with an FWB arrangement.
The other person isn’t a romantic partner, but the relationship can be advantageous and disadvantageous, depending on your present needs and wants.
You must understand that your FWB partner won’t provide emotional care and support to you.
Moreover, the FWB partner won’t be there when you need a shoulder to cry on, on a formal date, or attend family gatherings.
Therefore, to avoid disappointment and keep the peace, you should set your expectation at the onset.
Keep your communication lines open to ensure that both know that a casual relationship is what you want.
1. Set Boundaries and Ground Rules
Each FWB partner has its expectations. Therefore, everyone should be content with an FWB relationship.
You should be open to dialogue about accepted and off-limits sexual behaviors. Moreover, mutual consent should always be, even if it’s a fling.
Moreover, if you’re friends outside the bedroom, you should have clear guidelines about your interactions.
2. Open All Lines Of Communication.
When entering an FWB relationship, you and the other person should thoroughly discuss your connection with each other to avoid misread signals, hurt feelings, and confusion.
Both partners should be forthright and cooperative to prevent problems. If you disagree, you should walk away. A friends-with-benefits isn’t the right relationship for you.
3. Agree on How Long the Relationship will be
At the beginning of your FWB relationship, you and your partner should agree on when to end it to avoid any awkward or painful moments later.
The decision on the duration of the FWB relationship should be mutual. The length may be a specific timeframe or an event, such as when either of you finds a real long-term relationship.
Moreover, discussing ending the FWB relationship without hard feelings would be best.
For example, if you’re disappointed and filled with regret, you should have an honest conversation with your friend with benefits partner to end it later.
4. Set a Clear Understanding About More Casual Sexual Partners
Bear in mind that an FWB relationship isn’t a monogamous relationship. You can date other people and even enter other FWB connections.
Therefore, you should talk about protecting your physical and mental health by knowing that the FWB relationship can end for whatever reason and at any time.
Moreover, both should come to a mutual decision for regular STD testing and the use of protection.
Top Rules of a Casual Sexual Relationship
- Know what you want and communicate it to your FWB partner.
- Understand that you’re not in a committed relationship.
- Agree to have an occasional conversation about the FWB relationship during the connection.
- Always consider your FWB partner’s feelings.
- Decide if you will tell others about your FWB relationship or keep it a secret.
- Discuss the FWB arrangements in detail to avoid misunderstandings.
- Don’t break the rules you both set at the onset of the FWB relationship.
- Know your limits and articulate them to your FWB partner.
- Always use protection during sexual activity to protect your sexual health.
- Agree on how to end the FWB relationship.
- Have fun!
