
Dear Kasidie,
We are relatively new to the Lifestyle and consider ourselves "soft swap". However we have some friends who are more advanced in the Lifestyle. We regularly have get-togethers at our home or nights out with these couples. Recently at a get-together we were invited into the bedroom by some of our best friends, who happen to be "full swap". I wanted to join this couple as I am very attracted to both of them (especially the female). My boyfriend got upset with me and wanted me to join him in the living room where the rest of the guests were socializing. There was inexplicable tension between us immediately and it took us weeks to communicate what happened and where we misunderstood each other. Ultimately it left me really confused. My boyfriend has always maintained that one of the reasons that he loves me is because I've been open-minded enough to get into the Lifestyle with him. But now it seems like he feels that I'm too open minded, and I feel he's holding us both back. Do you have any advice for how to handle this?

Newbie to the Lifestyle
Dear Newbie,
Let me start by saying that people's fears in the Lifestyle usually aren't related to what is actually happening, but rather what they imagine might happen. You and your partner share many things in common... including a fear of losing each other. Remember that. The fear of losing someone you love is everyone's greatest motivator in a relationship regardless of whether they are in the Lifestyle or not.
Consider it a compliment that your partner fears losing you! Embrace it even, as it is much better for him to be selfish with you then him taking advantage of you being there (which is something we all try to avoid). Newbies to the Lifestyle often get so caught up in sharing their fantasies with their partner, they completely forget to explain their fears as well. That's like lighting off a bunch of amazing fireworks in the house, without first checking to make sure you have a working fire extinguisher... Ultimately the more your partner feels secure with his relationship with you, the easier it will be for him to trust you when an unexpected situation comes up.
This is a process. If you talk to anyone who has been in the Lifestyle for several years they will assure you it didn't happen overnight. You may decide eventually that you are ready to become "full swap". You may decide as a couple to stay where you are, but it is a decision that you need to make as a couple.
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