F 46, living in South East England, and I’ve recently embraced solo polyamory. This choice has been deeply personal, and it followed a lot of healing after my last relationship.

In that relationship, I ended up sacrificing so much of myself. I dimmed my creativity, my energy, even the quirky parts of my personality that didn’t “fit” my partner’s idea of who I should be. Certain things I valued were dismissed, and I found myself feeling judged rather than accepted. Over time, it took me to a dark place, and I was knee-deep in depression and anxiety. I almost lost friends and, worse, I felt ashamed of the person I had become, all because I was trying to shape myself to fit into someone else’s vision.

Choosing solo polyamory has been about reclaiming my sense of self and learning to connect without losing myself. It gives me the space to be fully who I am, without having to compromise my independence or my values for a relationship. Now, I’m focused on nurturing connections that truly appreciate me as a whole.

I’m glad to be here in a community that understands the importance of autonomy, acceptance, and authenticity in relationships. Looking forward to connecting with others who’ve been on similar journeys.