Is my partner good enough? Relationships can be complex, intertwining love, admiration, and sometimes uncertainty. A common question we may grapple with when feeling frustrated with our partner is, “Is my partner good enough?”

The myth of Narcissus and Echo is more than just an ancient tale—it serves as a powerful metaphor for toxic relationship dynamics. Narcissus, a hunter admired for his extraordinary beauty, was emotionally detached, rejecting all who loved him. Echo, a mountain nymph, suffered a cruel fate that left her voiceless—able only to repeat the words of others. Together, they embody the painful cycle of one-sided relationships, where one person seeks admiration while the other loses themselves in reflection.

From the thrill of vicarious experiences and the comfort of escapism to the insights gained through social comparison and the appeal of intimacy, these shows offer significant emotional and cognitive engagement.

In an ideal world, we would all have conversations about consensual non-monogamy with ourselves even before we went into relationships, and have contracts and questionnaires before engaging in them, but life is often not so regimented.