Relationships, we all have them. Friendships, husbands/wives, family, and boyfriends/girlfriends. These are just a few examples of the relationships that you could possibly have. Still, there are many other types of relationships that you could have.
You might be in the dark about many other different relationships like NSA, FWB, or SLS. But with all these abbreviations, you might find yourself asking, what does NSA mean? Do not worry because we discuss what the NSA stands for during this article.
In this article, we take an in-depth view of everything you need to know before starting an NSA relationship or if you’re already involved in one. We also look at the differences between NSA and FWB and what they could mean.
Let us get started.
Part 1. What does NSA mean?
Before we get started with all the needed information about NSA, you would need to know what NSA means in dating.
NSA is an abbreviation for “No Strings Attached,” which means a platonic sexual relationship between two or more people. Many people do not require an emotional connection but still, have the same sexual desire that everyone else has.
This is why many people tend to start NSA relationships. Relationships open people up to getting hurt, and NSA relationships tend to remove the emotions of a relationship. No strings attached means that the people have no obligations to invoke a personal and meaningful connection with the person they are in the NSA relationship.
Part 2. Facts about NSA
A movie called “No strings attached” features Natalie Portman and her NSA relationship. But we all know movies are not always accurate, so you need to know the facts about NSA relationships.
Let’s get started.
NSA relationships are just about sexual pleasure and fulfilling your sexual desires.
NSA relationships are casual and are not for emotional intimacy.
It may include multiple sexual partners.
No commitment relationship.
No celebrating of special dates, like anniversaries or birthdays.
I know for many, an NSA relationship is the perfect alternative to a serious relationship. It may seem to be good to be true. In some cases, an NSA relationship can hurt one of the people involved.
What does NSA mean in a relationship for people who are not good at controlling their emotions or separating a physical connection from an emotional one? Check out part three of this article for the pros and cons of an NSA relationship.
Part 3. NSA: Pros and Cons
Now that you know what the NSA is, it is essential to know about the pros ad cons if you are considering this type of relationship.
Although a no strings attached relationship could be the perfect fit for you, it is best to know what is NSA pros and cons.
Let’s start with the pros of an NSA relationship.
Pros
NSA is perfect for a person with busy work life. When you do not have lots of time to put into a committed relationship, NSA could be the best fit.
You can have an NSA relationship with multiple people. You do not need to be committed to one person because it is not a serious relationship.
You can end an NSA relationship anytime you feel you need to.
You save time by not needing to build an emotional connection.
No need to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, or birthdays. Unless you or your partner have decided to attend functions together at times when needed.
You always have a sexual partner.
Cons
You can struggle to build a meaningful relationship with a potential life partner.
It is challenging to develop emotions, resulting in one of you getting hurt.
If you have a few different partners, you are at risk for STDS.
Friends and family might judge your no strings attached relationship.
You might accidentally have your relationship result in pregnancy, which will have to get more serious.
As you can see, there are significant amounts of pros and cons to an NSA relationship. Before deciding to embark on an NSA journey, you should know what you want to benefit from this relationship.
Part 4. NSA relationships: The do's and don'ts
Let’s say you have decided that an NSA relationship suits your needs. You need to be sure to do many things and not to do if you want this type of relationship to work out.
An NSA relationship has a fragile line between what is ok and what is not, and sometimes, you can forget what type of things you can do in the NSA dating world.
There are many differences between a committed relationship and a non-committed one, so let’s look at the dos and don’ts of an NSA relationship.
Do's
Use condoms.
Suppose you and your partner have discussed having multiple partners in your NSA relationship. In that case, it is good to ensure that you are always safe.
Use an NSA relationship to learn about yourself.
An NSA relationship is the perfect way to explore your sexuality and your sexual desires. You can try different things and ultimately decide what your sexual interests are when you choose to have a committed relationship in the future.
Keep your emotions in check.
Once you see that you’re becoming emotionally attached to your NSA partner, end things off. You can also come clean and discuss with the partner the next steps. The moment you become vulnerable, the NSA relationship risks your mental health.
Have fun
It is essential to have fun. Enjoy having a sexual relationship and exploring new things. There are no rules with an NSA relationship because neither of you is planning a future together. Enjoy exploring sexual fetishes and finding out who you are.
Don'ts
Do not get jealous.
Jealousy is the green monster that has destroyed many committed relationships. It will surlily bring your NSA relationship to an end.
Do not start an NSA relationship if you want more.
Do not think that by starting an NSA relationship with a person, you can change them. If your partner has explicitly said they are not interested in a committed relationship, you can change their minds. You will just end up getting hurt.
Do not have an NSA relationship with a friend.
Do not try to have an NSA relationship with a close friend. There are risks that you will end up losing the friendship. Once there is some sort of bond, it is no longer classified as an NSA relationship.
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Part 5. How to maintain an NSA relationship?
To maintain an NSA relationship, you need to first ensure that you are emotionally stable enough to keep yourself from getting hurt. If you are prone to get attached easily, it would be best to prepare your mindset before embarking on an NSA journey.
Respect your partner’s freedom during your relationship. A healthy NSA relationship explores different sexual needs, and some need to fulfil other desires with different people.
Respect that your partner might have multiple partners they might want to keep private. Of course, it is essential to be open enough to talk about STD tests if you or your partner has multiple partners. This is how NSA left America vulnerable to more STDs by partners not being safe.
You should not spend too much time with your partner and make time for your friends and family. An NSA relationship thrives from spontaneous moments and no pillow talk. Try not to stay over if it is not needed. Do not go away for a weekend with each other. That is for committed serious relationships.
Once you realize that you might be getting attached, leave. Instead, end things before you become more invested in that person. Your first priority is to keep your heart safe and your emotions in check. This is another reason why NSA left America vulnerable. Many women became too invested and had broken hearts.
Part 6. What's the difference between NSA and FWB?
After reading this article, I’m sure you think that NSA sounds like friends with benefits, but there is a slight difference.
Friends with benefits, otherwise known as FWB, is the term used between people who already have a friendship. NSA is used for people who decide to have a sexual relationship without knowing each other beforehand.
NSA relationships usually are found on dating sites like Tinder. Many users will post the term NSA in their bio to clarify what they are searching for.
Final Thoughts
How NSA dating relationships can affect your future is determined by how you handle them. An NSA dating life can be very beneficial and adventurous for the right people. Still, for some, it will only lead to heartbreak.
This is what NSA dating means, to have fun and learn more about yourself. It can be a great tool if utilized correctly and with the right mindset.
Although, FWB and NSA might seem almost identical. An NSA relationship does not complicate a friendship but rather might build one.
FAQ
NSA is the abbreviation for “No strings attached.” It is the term used for two people in a sexual yet non-committed relationship.
NSA is the term used for two people having sex who have just met or have no previous relationship. FWB is the term used to describe two friends having a sexual relationship but not an emotional one.
You maintain an NSA relationship in the opposite way as a serious one. Do not spend too much time together or talking. Make sure to keep your emotions out of your relationship.
NSA relationships have been around forever but seemed to be more common when the movie No Strings Attached came out in 2011.