15 Valid Reasons For Breaking Up With Someone

Your preferences for certain relationship arrangements can change, says O’Reilly — for example, you might be interested in transitioning from a monogamous relationship to ethical non-monogamy. Sometimes there’s room for multiple relationship styles within a partnership. “For some people, monogamy is something they do. For others, being monogamous is part of their identity,” she explains. “If you see that as a core piece of your identity, that means you only want to be with one person at a time, but the person you’re with doesn’t have to align with your identity.”

Other times, though, you may indeed want your partner to align with your relationship style. If you’re on different pages, O’Reilly says you may want to reconsider your compatibility so that you don’t impose a specific relationship arrangement onto your significant other.

Experts:

Nawal Alomari, LCPC, a licensed clinical professional counselor and life coach based in Chicago

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Justin Lavelle, relationship expert and chief communications officer for BeenVerified

Nicole Martinez, psychologist and author of eight books, including The Reality of Relationships

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Dawn Michael, Ph.D., a relationship expert and author of My Husband Wont Have Sex With Me

Jess O’Reilly, Ph.D., sexologist and ambassador for sexual wellness and sex toy brands We-Vibe, Womanizer, and Arcwave

Kali Rogers, life coach

Marina Sbrochi, IPPY award-winning author of Stop Looking for a Husband: Find the Love of Your Life

Jim Seibold, Ph.D., couples therapist

Tina B. Tessina, aka Dr. Romance, psychotherapist and author of How to Be Happy Partners: Working it out Together

Susan Trombetti, matchmaker and the owner of Exclusive Matchmaking

Fran Walfish, PsyD, family and relationship psychotherapist