Hello!

I know this isn't exactly polyamory but I couldn't find any other subreddits that could give me some open-minded feedback and advice.

I would like to try open my relationship with my boyfriend.

We have been together since I was 16, so coming up to 8 years now. I have never experienced intimacy with anyone else but him.

We barely have sex anymore and that's kind of a fault on both our parts. I think it's just, not that exciting anymore, considering we are all that we have ever known. We aren't overly sexual people so it's fine.

However, there's something really irking me. I don't have anyone on my mind at all, but I feel like I am missing out on fun experiences with other men and women.

I went on a girls holiday recently and we partied a couple of times, there was a guy in particular showing me lots of attention but I stopped us at just having a harmless flirt and dance. I constantly thought of my partner, I would never ever wish to break his trust. We generally have a very healthy way of communicating and in the 8 years we have been together, we argued twice.

However, I can't deny that experience made me wonder again.

Having been with one man all my dating life, and being in my mid 20s now, this isn't the first time I considered going open. In fact, I sort of mentioned this to him a couple of years ago and I think he understood that feeling.

To clarify, I never want to leave him. He is literally perfect in so many ways. I am so strongly bonded, I know he's my soulmate and our relationship is great. I'm not looking to make this sort of connection with anyone else, I think I just want to open up to new sexual experiences.

Has anyone had any positive experiences with discussing such a thing in an already established, mono relationship? How did you go about it?