"If you are holding onto your current partner while at the same time searching for and reaching out to possible new partners, you may be doing what's been dubbed "monkey-barring" or "monkey-branching" in the dating world. It's earned the monkey-barring moniker because that's kind of what you do when traversing a set of monkey bars. You keep holding on to one bar until you have securely grabbed and swung over to another one."
"One big reason why you may be doing the monkey-barring thing is that you don't want to fall splat into, gasp, singlehood. Yep, monkey-barring is one way of jumping straight from one relationship to another with no gap in between. That may seem desirable if being single is singularly frightening to you and being in a relationship-maybe even any relationship-seems infinitely better than being by yourself. Notice the word "seem" inserted twice here."
Monkey-barring, or monkey-branching, is holding onto a current partner while simultaneously searching for and reaching out to potential new partners. People often monkey-bar to avoid being single or to bypass the emotional pain and recovery that follows breakups. The behavior can alter the dynamics of the existing relationship and influence who feels willing to date the person doing it. Monkey-barring substitutes continuous relational contact for processing loss and can cause emotional harm and repeated unfulfilling relationships. Addressing relationship issues openly or choosing intentional singlehood supports healthier recovery and future relationships.
Read at Psychology Today
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