When it comes to what makes sugar relationships work on a level traditional connections usually don’t, it’s all about the arrangement. The fact that both parties are up front about what they want right from day one, as well as what they’re able to give in return, keeps unmet expectations and assumptions from entering the picture at all. When everyone knows exactly what to expect, everyone’s happy.
But what happens when things evolve? What if you realize what was once working for you no longer is? What if you simply want more or are no longer comfortable with something that you were fine with before? Is it ever acceptable to renegotiate your agreement? If it is, how should you go about bringing it up? Let’s take a closer look at the answers to those questions and more.
Should Renegotiation Ever Be on the Table?
At the end of the day, a sugar relationship is still a relationship. That means your connection sometimes evolves, grows, or changes in ways you wouldn’t have been able to predict at the beginning. The two people involved in that relationship will no doubt grow and change over time as well, especially if your arrangement turns into a long-term thing, so it’s normal to want to change things at some point.
That said, yes. Of course it’s acceptable to renegotiate your terms. However, it’s important to make sure you do things properly and you do communicate clearly what you need. Like your original agreement, any new set of terms needs to be mutually beneficial and agreed upon by both parties. Renegotiating is more than alright and even healthy, but ultimatums or outright demands would naturally not be in the spirit of the sugar bowl and should be avoided.
Know What You Want
Just as you needed to be 100 percent certain about what you wanted and needed from your future sugar arrangement when it first started, you need to be just as sure if you’re thinking about a renegotiation. What do you need from your sugar partner at this juncture that you’re not already getting? What would you ideally like them to do to help these needs be met in the future? Do you need more time with them, a higher level of commitment, or something else entirely?
If you’ve been with your partner a while, you should be fairly familiar with their personal boundaries and deal breakers. Keep these in mind as you consider what to ask for, as well as what you might want to offer in return for having your requests honored. Make sure you’re being realistic, considerate, and respectful as far as what you’re asking for.
When you’re ready to have your discussion, let your sugar partner know that you’d like to arrange a time sometime soon to sit down and talk. While it’s fine to request a meeting over the phone or via email, the actual conversation needs to be had in person. Serious conversations deserve face-to-face interaction, especially when you’re in a relationship that’s all about being up front, honest, and forthright at all times. Once the discussion’s open, state your case clearly and respectfully. Give your partner plenty of time to respond and listen attentively to what they have to say in response. Keep emotion out of the discussion to the greatest extent possible.
Prepare for Any Possibility
More often than not, a simple renegotiation goes perfectly smoothly with both parties the happier for it once its done. The idea is to keep things win-win so that the mutually beneficial nature of the relationship isn’t compromised in any way. However, it’s important to prepare for the possibility that whatever you’re asking for will be a no-go for your partner.
What’s worked for your partner the entire time may still be working for them and they may not want things to change, so be prepared for that. In the event your partner isn’t able to give you what you’ve asked for, it’s time to consider whether or not it’s a deal breaker for you. However, it’s often more than possible to work something out that works for everyone with patience and care.
Sugar relationships are sweet to be sure, but they definitely come with challenges to the same degree another relationship would. Always handle those challenges with dignity, kindness, and respect for best results.
