While binging on shows like Love Island and Too Hot To Handle W ritualistically every night, the phrase "keeping my options open" is very much back in our consciousness. Participants of these shows of all genders have been known to shy away from putting all their eggs in one person's basket and making it official, and instead, commit to keeping things 'open' (aka they want to see if someone fitter with more social capital comes into the picture).
Keeping your options open is super commonplace in the dating lives of usual norms, too though. Many of us have experienced the relationship grey area, where the person we are dating is either not totally communicative about where things are going, or has told us they are not ready to commit or become exclusive/monogamous just yet. Sometimes that is fine and totally understandable. Other times, they may want to pursue another relationship structure like polyamory; or they might have commitment issues and are taking us for a ride and we need to learn how *not* to let that happen.
So what should you do if the person you are dating says they want to keep their options open? Expert from dating app, Match (UK), Hayley Quinn tells us how...
IS THE PERSON YOU'RE DATING OPEN TO OTHERS?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
How To Survive The Awkward In-Between Stage Of Growing Out Your Hair
Never again will the threat of a halfway length leave us feeling trapped in a style.
Do You Know Why Beauty Trends Swing In Extremes?
We speak with make-up artists and content creators to find out if it’s just the dopamine rush of trying out something new or the fear of missing out in this hyper-connected world.
What's The Next Big Thing In Beauty And Wellness?
Charting the trends that have the potential to blossom into their fullest in 2025.
On our tech radar
Let's take a look at the cool (latest) gadgets you should buy to be tech forward, shall we?
My seven minutes with Lily Collins
The Emily in Paris star on ie bold, her process, performing, and always being Team Emily.
Why are girls getting their period earlier?
Navigating puberty can be overwhelming (it's a LOT to handle!) especially when girls as young as seven are dealing with changes that could potentially have a big impact on their physical and psychological development.
All the deets on the coolest collaboration of 2024
Inside everything you need to know, and more!
Did someone say inner happy hour?
Relish your cocktails along with our curated list of feel-good reads.
My guilty pleasure
POV: Why watching cringe content on the Internet is my survival strategy.
Intermezzo, intervention
Spoiler alert: In her latest, Sally Rooney yet again plays the therapist we didn’t realise we needed.