I have a lot to thank Polyamory for.

Let me be clear from the beginning though: I don't actually practice polyamory. However, my one brief foray into it's landscape was the catalyst for a period of deep soul searching that completely changed my life, in more areas than just intimate relationship.

Many years ago, I had been in a relationship with a woman for several months when they made it clear they were not comfortable with the relationship being exclusive. 

The list of things I felt when I found this out was long and intense: Confused, devastated, overwhelmed...