I’m about to head to Australia to work in a mining camp. The initial contract is for 4 months, but it’s extendable to 6. During this time, my girlfriend and I will barely see each other—maybe one visit total. We’ve been together for 6 years and have a very solid relationship.
Last Saturday, we were walking home from a dinner where we’d both had a fair amount to drink. Half-joking, half-serious, she asked: "Why don't we open the relationship while you're away?"
Because of the alcohol and the lighthearted tone, I laughed it off in the moment. But now I can’t stop overthinking it. I feel like if she brought it up, even as a "joke," it’s because she has considered it.
On one hand, 6 months is a long time apart. On the other, the idea of an open relationship makes me incredibly anxious, and I’m worried this is a sign that she’s already checking out or worried she can't handle the distance.
How do I bring this up seriously without sounding accusatory or ruining our remaining time together?
For those who have done long-distance "open" stints does it actually work?