That's good advice -- to start laying the foundation for a good transition from a limerent relationship to a companionate one, but isn't it very possible to have another limerent object while you're already in a companionate relationship with one? That's a troubling thought. I would like to hear your thoughts on this.
I don't feel comfortable giving advice on that matter because I didn't have to handle something like that myself, so take the following with a big grain of salt.
I am sure you can get infatuated with another person while being in a loving relationship, but I tried not to put myself in a situation where the possibility of 'something just happened' even arises in the first place.
As a programmer who works in a >90% male environment and whose hobbies are similarly male-dominant, that might be easier for me to achieve than for some people.
With that disclaimer in mind, my opinion is that if you've let yourself fall in love with someone else you either:
1. Didn't really love your spouse (or thought you could do better) and might have subconsciously tried to break up or make your spouse break up with you (another declaimer: I am not a psychologist either).
2. Were not acting as a responsible adult, otherwise you would have seen it coming and taken measures against it.
3. Are confident that your relationship can survive 'harmless' affairs and craved the thrill and excitement but didn't want to leave your partner for it.
I don't think there is necessarily anything morally wrong with that last possibility, although one would hope you've discussed being in an open relationship with your partner beforehand.
