Exploring Ethical Non-Monogamy: A Personal Reflection and Discovery Workbook

Reading about ethical non-monogamy is useful; knowing where you personally stand in relation to it is something different. This workbook course is designed for people who want to move from abstract interest to genuine self-knowledge — working through structured exercises that help you assess your own values, needs, readiness, and relationship goals in relation to ENM. By the end of this course you will be able to complete a personal values inventory as it relates to relationship structure, compare at least three ENM models against your own needs and circumstances, assess your own emotional readiness for non-monogamy, and articulate a clear next step — whether that is entering an ENM arrangement, discussing the possibility with a partner, or deciding that ENM is not right for you at this time. What you will learn: - A personal values inventory: identifying what you actually value in intimate relationships and how different relationship structures align or conflict with those values - Relationship model comparison: a structured exercise for evaluating polyamory, open relationships, relationship anarchy, and other ENM forms against your specific situation - Readiness assessment: a self-assessment tool covering emotional capacity, communication skills, available time and energy, and the current context of your existing relationships - Motivation exploration: distinguishing between motivations for ENM that tend to serve people well and those that tend to generate problems - Discussing ENM with a current partner: a step-by-step guide to raising the topic for the first time with someone in a monogamous relationship with you - Researching community and resources: a guided exercise for identifying ENM communities, books, and support resources relevant to your situation - Designing a personal experiment: how to structure a careful, explicit trial of a non-monogamous arrangement if you decide to proceed - Deciding not to proceed: how to close the exploration process thoughtfully if you determine that ENM is not right for your current life Each module delivers a brief orientation reading followed by a practical exercise or reflection worksheet. The cumulative output is a personal ENM exploration journal: a documented record of your self-inquiry that you can use as the basis for conversations with partners, community members, or a therapist. This course is designed for individuals who are curious about ethical non-monogamy and want to explore whether it is right for them. It is also written for those whose partners have raised the subject and who want a structured way to engage with their own response. No prior experience with non-monogamy is required.