novelty/intimacy: can you add spice without a fling?

The beginning of a relationship is just spectacular. You make love 3 times a day, you can't stop thinking about each other and everything your new and shiny partner does is just the cutest thing ever. God, how did life's luck pour so heavy handed onto your lap?
Fast forward a month or two or a year or two, depending on whether or not you have decided to cohabitate immediately or if you have been living on opposite sides of the world.
This person who was so alive and captivating has now become another extension of you. It's not that they are any less attractive or intelligent, why, you might find that they have become your best friend and partner for life; but there is something missing, that spark, that passion, that desire to uncover every inch of that person and find out what's underneath.
Too bad you already did. And now you have metabolized that mystery and you may feel like you need another authentic taste of novelty, difference or variety, with or perhaps without your partner.
I have this theory that it isn't the relationship that gets boring, it's the people that get boring.
Studies show that couples who go on vacation report more sex, less arguing and more enjoyment of each other and the relationship during and for the month proceeding the trip. When your mind is experiencing something new the level of presence is heightened. You have yet to categorize the moment into the container of your life as you know it. Going somewhere new together is like a dose of pure presence that inherently might make the both of you feel a bit more vital.
The same is true for flirting. There is a new attractive man or woman. They are unique to you. All that they say or do is heightening your level of awareness. It fills you with a rush and perhaps you find yourself looking forward to seeing them.
these are the drug of novelty. It does not sustain itself but replenishes with each encounter of the new.
Intimacy is great. You may not have sex as often but you have witnessed each other cry, explode, achieve and for the most part accept each other for who you are. you are co creating a relationship and hopefully maintaining a manifestation of each others dreams. So what happens when the need for novelty becomes juxtaposed with the intimacy?
Back to people getting boring.
If we were an exciting people we probably wouldn't have so much stuff, nor would we have so much television or video games. Rather than looking at the new item we can consume or person we can explore why not look within and do something new for yourself? Read a book on bird watching, take tango lessons, learn a new language, judo, horseback riding, painting, piano, yoga. What about meditating, sky diving, scuba diving, and everything else in between. Better yet, embark on this un-traversed territory with your partner. If it's just a little spice your after try getting a book on sex. Try out some kinky stuff. Master and slave. Or maybe you just need a sexual nudge like tantra practices or eye locking and breath exchanging.
There is no need to limit yourself and if you find that your path is one that includes satiating it's desire for sexual exploration through new lovers, then by all means, be safe and enjoy your journey!
For others the desire for remaining in a monogamous union might fare well with self discovery and new skills. Just check in. Are you present, accountable and being authentic to yourself and the situation. Chances are if you answer yes to all of those whatever it is is right for you.