Friends with benefits relationship deals are hard to keep. There are pros, there are cons and it can get messy and unsorted if you let it. Friends with benefits relationship options aren't always all that bad though. If you are considering a FWB deal, you might want to take a look at my pros and cons. That way, you'll know exactly what you are getting yourself into!
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1. Pro: They Know You
One of the biggest pros of a friends with benefits relationship is the fact that they know you. I am not talking about knowing the shallow you, but the real you. The real, deep, inside you. This can actually be a fantastic benefit because they know how you will react to things and what turns you on.
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A Friends with Benefits relationship can be a great way to explore physical intimacy without the commitment of a romantic relationship. It can be a great way to have fun and enjoy companionship without the pressure of a long-term commitment.
One of the biggest advantages of a Friends with Benefits relationship is the fact that you know your partner well. This can be a huge advantage because you are familiar with each other's likes and dislikes, and you can be comfortable enough to explore each other's boundaries. This can lead to more enjoyable and satisfying sexual experiences.
Another advantage of this type of relationship is that it can be quite flexible. You can make it as casual or as serious as you like, and you can decide when to meet and how often. This can be great for people who are busy or don't want to be tied down to a single relationship.
The lack of commitment can also be a major pro. You don't have to worry about making plans for the future or dealing with the emotional baggage that comes with a committed relationship. You can just enjoy each other's company without any expectations.
2. Pro: Nothing is Awkward
Another pro to this type of relationship is that nothing is awkward (until feelings start to become involved, which I will get to later). You are just hooking up with your BFF. You are hanging out and making out with your best friend. That's cool, right? They know you after all!
Frequently asked questions
3. Pro: It Seems Natural
For some FWB relationships, it just seems natural. It seems almost like the next step in your relationship, especially if you have known each other a really long time and have always had this sexual tension floating in the air. It's weird to think of your BFF as a sex partner sometimes, but if you've always thought that, then it can just seem natural!
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The idea of a Friends with Benefits (FWB) relationship has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially among young adults. A FWB relationship is one in which two individuals engage in a physical and/or emotional relationship without any commitment or expectation of a long-term romantic relationship.
Proponents of FWB relationships argue that they can be a great way to explore physical intimacy while still maintaining a strong friendship. They also provide an opportunity to explore sexual chemistry without the pressures of a traditional relationship.
On the other hand, there are some potential drawbacks to having a FWB relationship. Many people find it difficult to remain “just friends” with someone they are sexually involved with. In addition, FWB relationships can be emotionally draining, as one partner may become attached while the other is not.
4. Pro: It's Just Sex
This can be a misconception after a while, that it is just sex and no feelings will come about, but in the beginning, it could be just sex. It could be just a hook up. It could be just sex between two consenting adults that happen to like each other. Think about it that way.
5. Pro: Best of Both Worlds
Ah, the biggest pro of them all has to be that you are getting the best of both worlds! You get to have your best friend in the world and have sex with them too! What person wouldn't want that? Take a look at the cons though before you try this type of relationship.
6. Con: Emotional Involvement
One of the biggest cons to a friends with benefits relationship is the fact that you can get emotional. Your emotions are hard to shut off, especially with your best friend, and once you start adding sex in, it can get messy. It's tough to keep up that 'it's just sex' mentality when you start to have feelings for the person that you are having sex with.
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While the initial perks of a friends with benefits relationship might be alluring, the emotional entanglement often sneaks up unexpectedly. Sex is an intimate act that naturally fosters closeness, which, in turn, can lead to one or both partners developing deeper romantic feelings. Moreover, jealousy and possessiveness can arise when one person sees the other engaging romantically or sexually with others, complicating what was meant to be a casual arrangement. Hence, laying clear boundaries and consistently communicating is paramount, though it's never a guarantee against the heart wanting more.
7. Con: Jealousy
Jealousy is something that happens naturally when you start to have feelings for your friend. It comes natural and you shouldn't beat yourself up over it, however, it is definitely something that can complicate things in the end. Trust me on this one, when jealousy comes into play, it's a con.
8. Con: Can Break up a Friendship
Let's say that you want to stop a FWB relationship and instead, go back to being friends. It can be hard after you've had sex with your friend to go back to just being friends. In fact, this con all has to do with breaking up your friendship. It can happen and you've got to know that before you start this type of relationship.
9. Con: Awkwardness Can Develop
Finally, the awkwardness can develop, once your feelings come into play. It might not start out awkward, but as soon as you start to fall for your BFF, it can become instantly awkward for both of you. Has this ever happened to you?
10. Con: Limits You from Seeking a Relationship
Finally, when you are getting satisfied, sexually, in a friends with benefits relationship, it can actually limit you from seeking a meaningful and romantic relationship. I know it's hard to believe, but if you've ever been in this type of relationship, you know what I mean.
So girls, these are all of the pros and cons to having a relationship that is sexual with your friends. I know that it's hard to be in a friends with benefits relationship, but it can work – if you let it. So, share your experiences below! Have you ever been in this type of relationship?
Comments
Stephanie: I've been in this type of relationship for 4 yrs now. Some days r hard to get over the feeling but most days I LOVE the relationship. It can hold me back from a relationship but at this point in my life I'm ok with that
sassy-girl: I think it is best to be friends with benefits you know the person for sure
Tina: I've been in a fwb with a man. We are both single parents and don't want to do the bar dating scene. It's convenient, flexible and enjoyable. We have similar things in common. It will be a little over 2 yrs now. The kids are not aware of the arrangement. I can understand that one could assume it could turn into something bad when feelings are in play, but if you are this persons friend and are having sex doesn't it become emotional already? I just feel society puts so much emphasis on women needing to be married or in a relationship... If it works it works. Don't fix what's broken. Follow your own path and forget everyone's comments. What the fuck to they know since they get married and divorced in an hour!!! Enough said
Isabella: I was in a FWB relationship once, after we stopped it was so weird and awkward , I did love it as well
Riza: I had this kind of relationship for a year and I wanted out after that. I just couldn't keep going when I was starting to feel so much for him. Anyway, we decided to move in together and have been living together for 3 years now. It was a big adjustment but if two people really want to be together, it will work out. Although sometime we like to reminisce about the way it was. But all is well :)
Mischa: I'm in a dilemma. I cheated on my current xbf with my past xbf and had his kid. He broke up with me after finding out. Now we still talk to each other coz obviously the feelings still there, because we had amazing sex life and wanted to experience that together .. We wanted to still have that. Will it be bad to be FWB with him? We both still love each other but is going to embrace that instead of fighting it but we will stop sleeping with each other until we find someone who we are serious with. Only thing I'm worry is me getting hurt... Help!
Kristi: I was in an FWB situation for about 18 months - I only called things off recently. It was GREAT though while it lasted! We had fantastic sex, a fun time hanging out together chatting, having dinners, etc but we didn't have the accountability to each other that you would have in a romantic relationship. With both of us being in our 30's and just recently out of relationships before we hooked up, the situation suited us both well. But as you said Heather, I did feel it was keeping me from finding a permanent partner because I was so comfortable with the FWB! It was just so easy to get my physical needs fulfilled by him that I found I wasn't bothering about dating which is why I did end up calling things off. But I have no regrets at all, it was very liberating.
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