What if there isn't somebody out there for all of us? What if there are multiple people, or - more radically - what if focusing on finding one romantic partner for life is stopping us from experiencing the full potential of our friendships, talents, or careers? What does it look like to shift the paradigm away from searching for the right person?
In this episode, I talk to two fascinating people. The first, Rowen Bridler - singer, actress and author of Love Poems for People Who Don't Like Being in Love, talks to us about why she thinks people get so obsessed with finding a partner, getting married, and settling down, and about what it means to be a woman in your 40's who doesn't fit into society's expectations. We discuss the lack of positive role models for women who choose not to have children or conform to a 'typical' lifestyle, and what life can look like when you choose to focus on excitement, pleasure, adventure, and developing yourself.
Then we talk to Natalie, who discusses what it means to be non-monogamous, demi-sexual relationship anarchist. Natalie is not looking for 'the One', but has their sexual, romantic and platonic needs met by a constellation of like-minded friends. We ask why do people feel that they have to spend their lives with just one person? Can't things be different?