There is no one "right" kind of relationship, though there is likely a type that best fits you. If you're thinking about getting into a relationship and you hear the term "friends with benefits" commonly known as FWB, you may wonder what it actually means. Quite simply, a friends-with-benefits relationship means a relationship in which two people are physically intimate with each other without romantic commitment. They have fun being around each other but spend casual time with each other and are typically "no strings attached." One of the nice things about a friend with benefits versus a sugar baby is that you don't have to pay anything and there is no expectation of some kind of financial reward for the female party.
Whether you've heard about it through popular culture, or you wonder if it's the perfect arrangement for you, it is essential to know what you are getting yourself into. Below, we cover things to consider before engaging in an FWB relationship and some tips on how to make it all go smoothly. There you go.
Is a Friends-With-Benefits Relationship Right for You?
For some, a friends-with-benefits relationship represents a way to have fun connecting with others without the serious commitment of a traditional relationship. But for many others, this kind of casual arrangement will not be emotionally viable. Here are some things to consider when one thinks about a friends-with-benefits kind of relationship.
Why a Friends-With-Benefits Arrangement Appeals to Some
There are a number of reasons why no-strings-attached relationships are desirable. The setup will be appealing to those who avoid a monogamous lifestyle, are time-constrained, or would not want the emotional investment that goes with a traditional relationship. It works equally well for people in recovery from past relationship-related problems or who are not ready for emotional exposure. Lastly, aromantic individuals or those uninterested in romance would enjoy the flexibility and focus on companionship that FWB offers them.
When a Friends-With-Benefits Arrangement May Not Be Ideal
It is important to be upfront about what you need and want before entering a friends-with-benefits relationship. If it does not feel just right for you, refrain from entering into this type of arrangement simply because it may well be the only option presented to you by someone you are interested in or dating. It helps to enter this type of relationship with realistic expectations; more often than not, these relationships remain casual. It is not well-suited for those who hope it will evolve into something more serious, and feelings of being unfulfilled might result.
How to Maintain a Healthy Friends-With-Benefits Relationship
To make it a positive experience, enter into your friends-with-benefits relationship with some idea of what that really means. It will not be your romantic partner, which could be both a blessing and a curse depending on what you need right now. Here are a few ways to keep an FWB relationship balanced and respectful. Here are a few tips for you:
1. Establish the boundary and rules
Success with any friend-with-benefits relationship requires both persons to be satisfied with the arrangement. Be open about what each of you wants-for instance, what kinds of intimacy are allowed and which aren't. This can establish clear-cut boundaries to avoid any misunderstandings and thus provides healthy respect between both parties. If you already have a platonic friendship outside the FWB arrangement, it then becomes much more important that you build guidelines on how you will act around one another in non-intimate settings.
2. Keep Open Communication
Good communication is the foundation of any kind of healthy FWB relationship. It's important to discuss the nature of your connection from the outset and for that line of communication to stay open as time moves forward. Being clear about expectations and feelings helps prevent hurt feelings or confusion. It will be very important to be upfront if either of your needs or expectations change.
You can manage the expectations of both by setting a duration for your FWB relationship right from the very beginning. It just makes things less complicating if you can agree on an end date or at what point you reevaluate. Determine whether the time spent in the relationship will be for a set period, or whether it will come to an end when either of you finds a more serious romantic connection. Also, discuss the possibility of ending the FWB relationship should either of you feel uncomfortable, with no hard feelings.
3. Be Open About Other Partners
Second, most of the time, a friends-with-benefits relationship is non-exclusive; both of you are allowed to see other people or have other casual relationships. To protect your physical and emotional health, it's necessary to establish expectations about how you will keep one another safe:STI testing, protection, and so on. You may decide to keep each other in the know about other partners or decide not to disclose any information about other lovers. Either way, making sure you're on the same page is the important thing here.
Is Friends-With-Benefits the Right Choice?
A friends-with-benefits relationship is supposed to be a great and satisfying option for people in search of a casual connection. It really, though, depends on honest communication, clear boundaries, and mutual respect so that both individuals feel comfortable and fulfilled.