In an Open Relationship with Mother Earth

In the changing landscape of modern relationships, where’s the space for our connection with the non-human world?

Photo by Trent Haaland on Unsplash

For most of the past year, I’ve been self-partnered. For once, this isn’t a glorified way of saying, “I’m single.” I’ve been consciously not entering into romantic partnerships, having assessed the damage inflicted on myself (and others) by years spent jumping into relationships as a distraction from my own lack of purpose. Instead, I’ve begun focusing on my own happiness: prioritizing self-care, finding my own authentic direction and re-investing in my passions. I’m filling up my own cup now, a cup I can share — if and as I choose to — with (a) partner(s).

Those parentheses are important. Not only have I been spending this year self-partnered; I’ve become the very thing I could not stand in woke hippie dudes the world over: I’m solo-poly now (cue the Chris Fleming track) — or at least, I’m testing it out. It’s not that I need multiple partners, but that in shifting my focus more to myself, I’ve become less concerned with finding a life partner. Relationships can ebb and flow more easily and people are free to play more fluid roles.

I’m seeing all of my human relationships as sources of nourishment and connection, and realizing that my…