Monkey Branching

I don't believe I've seen this topic broached on this site before.

First, the definition:

"Monkey branching occurs when someone in a committed relationship begins to cultivate romantic or emotional connections with other potential partners while still maintaining their current relationship. The term stems from the image of a monkey swinging from branch to branch, never letting go of one branch before having a firm grip on the next—helping ensure they never fall."

Source: https://lifestance.com/blog/monkey-branching/

Questions:

1. If you have engaged in this behavior, why?

2. How many times?

3. Do you feel guilt? Explanation of yes or no appreciated.

4. And since this is an astro site, Sun/Venus if you care to share.

I haven’t been doing this, but I should have 🫤

Gemini sun/Cancer venus

i’ve unfortunately done it once in my life but i think this sort of behavior is generally frowned upon and shouldn’t be normalized because it’s half-cheating if you really think about it. i’m just being real. not giving excuses cuz i’m all about owning up to things. we could try to rationalize it/try to justify it in our minds that the relationship/marriage was “already halfway over anyway” but it wasn’t officially over so we can’t gloss over that fact.

i think the noble thing to do would be to officially end the previous relationship before jumping into the new one.

1. If you have engaged in this behavior, why?

i’ve only been with two people in my life (ex wife and current husband. i’m bi but leaning more towards men). i haven’t been single since i was fifteen cuz these two relationships were back-to-back.

i began “talking” to my current partner while i was still married to my ex. that’s the bad news.

the good news is i filed for divorce before doing anything else beyond just “talking”.

so i guess i did technically end things before moving onto the next person but i was “talking” so not completely innocent. i’m not gonna be delusional and be like “i’m innocent”.

as for the why, i just fell in love with someone else.

2. How many times?

once

3. Do you feel guilt? Explanation of yes or no appreciated.

yes. anyone with a strong conscience will feel some form of guilt, i would assume.

4. And since this is an astro site, Sun/Venus if you care to share.

aries sun, taurus venus

Posted by serenidad
i’ve unfortunately done it once in my life but i think this sort of behavior is generally frowned upon and shouldn’t be normalized because it’s half-cheating if you really think about it. i’m just being real. not giving excuses cuz i’m all about owning up to things. we could try to rationalize it/try to justify it in our minds that the relationship/marriage was “already halfway over anyway” but it wasn’t officially over so we can’t gloss over that fact.


i think the noble thing to do would be to officially end the previous relationship before jumping into the new one.

That's the way I see it as well--end the current relationship before starting the new one.

I've never actually engaged in the behavior of the OP myself. Been a victim of it, though.

people just making up more words for cheating

Yes.

A few times.

No.

Scorpio Sun, Sagittarius Venus.

1. If you have engaged in this behavior, why?

Yes I did one time in my life when my relationship was practically over.

2. How many times?

Just once

3. Do you feel guilt? Explanation of yes or no appreciated.

I did because in general I don't support this kind of act, but the outcome was that I became better person. Now I cut off very fast any of situations like this.

4. And since this is an astro site, Sun/Venus if you care to share.

Aquarius sun/ Capricorn Venus RX

1. If you have engaged in this behavior, why?



Nope. I don't even date more than one person at a time. My Leo friend told me today I should do that but still nope for me. I'm only attracted to the person I'm with.

2. How many times?

Zero

3. Do you feel guilt? Explanation of yes or no appreciated.



That's one of the main reasons, among others, that I wouldn't.

4. And since this is an astro site, Sun/Venus if you care to share.



Cap Sun/ Aqua Venus

Yes. Why? .. Still trying to figure that one out. Always searching for a perfect match I guess.

How many? One, for now

Guilt? Mega guilt yes

Capricorn but with a relationship complex.

did this early on in the relationship. i used to get infatuated easily and sometimes it starts off as being friends with the other person (but then they go out of their way for you/caring/affectionate). although it was nothing more than talking, ig it could be interpreted as being flirty. bf knows about it and it hurt greatly, so i draw the line now and actually dont have any guy friends atm

Posted by CancerOnTheCusp

Posted by serenidad
i’ve unfortunately done it once in my life but i think this sort of behavior is generally frowned upon and shouldn’t be normalized because it’s half-cheating if you really think about it. i’m just being real. not giving excuses cuz i’m all about owning up to things. we could try to rationalize it/try to justify it in our minds that the relationship/marriage was “already halfway over anyway” but it wasn’t officially over so we can’t gloss over that fact.

i think the noble thing to do would be to officially end the previous relationship before jumping into the new one.

That's the way I see it as well--end the current relationship before starting the new one.

I've never actually engaged in the behavior of the OP myself. Been a victim of it, though.

click to expand

yeah i can sympathize with those who have been on the receiving end of it. i can imagine the confusion and pain.

i feel like people do this (monkey-branching thing) mainly because they’re afraid to be alone. although they may not openly admit it. (i’m talking about people who repeatedly do it)

maybe your ex was the type that was afraid to be alone and constantly needed someone to be there. anyone.

either way, it’s not a noble thing to do, and anyone who is proud of it (no remorse) has questionable character imo.

😉I assume we are referring to fully maturish adults?

I find woman mostly do this. However that is a surface level view of it...most of the time. Well In this case, the relationship was already over. People with a lot of experience with relationships don't tree branch unless it's to filll a need they themselves need met. Be it companionship, financial, emotional, or survival. Really depends on the person and situation.

To be honest, I only fault cheaters for doing things the wrong way(inconsiderate hurt feelings) not the action itself. I'm the minority view on this, likely because those times I was aware of cheating around me, I understood the reasons and situation. You can do what you want while considering those who it effects.

For example, my friends in the 20s. Dude was a dick to her. A lot of dumb macho shit and emotional neglectful of her. Dude thought it was cool to pick a fight for makeup sex ...

She ended up getting emotional support as well as other things from a mutual friend. One thing lead to another....

Their situation. 18 month daughter, she worked and he didn't. Bit of a early 20s hang out house...in his defense...he took advice from a dude who was unhappy married with kids and bitter about it. He was a bitch and he a dick...🤷. Do you don't have to approve of what happened but it's understandable.

Posted by virgoOPPP
people just making up more words for cheating

My thoughts exactly. This is simply cheating. Lining up another relationship to move into whilst you're in a relationship already.

It is just plain old cheating.

Gem sun/Venus (cazimi 😎)

I've never monkey-branched only because the person I cheated with wouldnt immediately claim me after, one of them did after 6 months following the break up though. I've had 6 boyfriends and cheated on 4 of them. Haven't cheated since 2019. All of them were already cheating. I dumped 2 of them, 3 of them came back years later professing their love and trying to reconcile. The 4th still refollowed me on IG. He actually monkey-branched on me lol, and married that girl. He and one other used me for a combined $ 6k and quit their jobs immediately after getting together. They also refused sex. When someone doesn't love you and sees you as a wallet, I don't think cheating is the most evil thing- and obviously neither do my exes. They all knew they did worse.

Nowadays I would not cheat, especially since I'm now aware I can cope with ENM.