Tag: Women

  • Is Hypnosis with Sex, a One Hit Wonder?

    Is Hypnosis with Sex, a One Hit Wonder?

    Following on from the response from my previous editorial, I have been invited to share my professionalism further by posing the question: How far could one go utilising hypnosis with sexual behaviour?  In response, one could go just as far with hypnosis as one could in experimental sex, drawing on positions and techniques.  After all, I believe it is widely acknowledged that the brain, or to be precise, the Pituitary Gland aspect of the human brain, although, physically is the diameter of a pea, secretes the endocrine hormone: Melanocyte –stimulating hormone into the wider brain making it the largest sex organ in human nature.  Therefore, gentlemen and ladies, there does not need to be any occupation of any anxiety, stress, depression and performance anxiety relating to the size of yours, or your partners penis and its function in the expression of your sexual behaviour?  Or does there?

    Unfortunately, there has over many thousands of years, especially in western culture, been an emphasis on marking sexual virility, ability, strength in battle and paralleling that within the bed chamber.  Thus, culturally speaking, if one is well rehearsed and resilient with a sword, or, in some other masculine roles that displays awe, then he is bound to be the best lover for any woman or man, see Verinis and Roll, (1970, p.126) in their works ‘Primary and Secondary Male Characteristics: The Hairiness and Large Penis Stereotypes’ where they imply a stereotype of men with a larger sized penis was an indication of enhanced masculinity, virility, potency, power and activity, in contrast to men with smaller penises.

    Therefore, it does not seem too difficult to conceive the idea that men, who buy into the notion that guys with larger penises are more professionally skilled, have supposed greater sex performances and are perceived to have little anxiety in much of their performances in life.  I hear you asking, what of those men who perceive themselves or their partners to have smaller, or below national average for whatever country you happen to belong?  The answer is simple; most men with an average sized penis in fact perceive themselves to be much smaller than what they are in reality as they view their penis from above by glancing over their stomachs.

    Although, there are some men with small penises, ‘micro penises’, which are few and far between that do exist in all areas of society, western, or, eastern.  Wylie and Eardley (2007, p. 1449-1455) presented a very easy table of penis measurements in their academic journal – Penile size and the ‘small penis syndrome’ which is located in the British Journal of Urology International, 99(6), Theory of Medicine.  However, unfortunately, the man creates a low self-esteem regarding his penis size, stature, which fluidly umbrellas his perception and ability to perform etc.  This anxiety can be inadvertently fulfilled by viewing men with above national average penises in pornography, in a sports gym, or, standing at the urinal in a public lavatory where it can be common place to notice other men’s penis size from a side aspect – viewing the full penis size in reality, not perceived.

    The question you are all asking is, how do we treat it and can hypnosis assist in the treatment process?  The answer is yes, it is treatable and yes, hypnosis can assist as a fundamental aspect of psychotherapy.  There is a 50% chance that sexual dysfunction (i.e. arousal problems, Premature Ejaculation, Satisfaction, Sexual Dysfunction, Erectile Dysfunction etc) is medical or psychological.  It is imperative that you contact a medical doctor or psychologist to diagnose you and decide whether your condition is one of the two.  Although there is medical and psychological evidence that suggests the two merges into each other: chicken or egg, they would still require to be treated separately.  You can then be treated via a psychotherapist who is comfortable or specialised in sex therapy to work through the triggers and issues that are influencing the psychological aspect of the condition – this is where one can utilise hypnosis to place suggestions in the man’s unconscious and re-frame thoughts to influence his behaviours.  This is where I often use hypnosis in my private practice, although, it is not often used in the wider health service.

    How can hypnotic sex treat poor performance?  Hypnosis can enhance sexual performance by him visiting a sex therapist and him learning to relax and be at one with his body (penis specifically).  The psychotherapist can teach him to visualise greater sexual performances.  Additionally, ego boosting is an excellent way to experience a feel-good factor, and depending on how complex the man’s issues are, there are exceptional analytical approaches to psychotherapy to delve deeper into the unconscious.  Such therapy work of delving deeper would be to locate a root cause and effect that influences a lack of sexual confidence, performance anxiety for example.  As mentioned in my previous article, ‘Hypnotic Sex’, I explained further about Freud’s analytical therapy.  However, to highlight a approach or two, there is free association, hypnosis, and dream analysis.

    To understand further of how I perform a therapy session, and how I utilise hypnosis, you can read about a couple of my professional secrets in my next article.

    Giles Dee-Shapland

    Images courtesy of Shutterstock

  • fishbelly Lingerie

    fishbelly Lingerie

    fishbelly, the brainchild of Jutta Teschner, is an award-winning designer lingerie brand originally from the über trendy German hotspot Berlin.  Designing beautiful lingerie for the past 15 years, gaining a huge popularity all over the world, fishbelly has won design awards and has been mentioned in countless press releases and lingerie books.  Apart from their innovative designs, fishbelly uses only the best materials like high-quality laces and embroideries from Europe for our nearly handmade pieces, which is another factor for their success.

    As a result, fishbelly’s trendsetting collections have been sold to the most famous department stores in the world like Henry Bendel, Victoria´s Secret and Frederick´s of Hollywood in the US, Galleries Lafayette in Paris, KadeWe in Berlin, Oberpollinger in Munich, Topshop and Fenwick in London, Mon Amour in Moscow and Globus in Switzerland.

    On 8th March 2014, fishbelly announced the opening of their Soho flagship store in the stunning cosmopolitan city of Hong Kong.  SimplySxy is delighted to have our writer Kathy W interview Jutta Teschner, owner and designer, to share her insights behind fishbelly.

    Kathy W: To start things off, could you tell us more about your inspiration behind fishbelly and how has your background in design and previous experience in fashion retail translated to the  lingerie industry?

    Jutta Teschner: My graduation collection was about Latex!  “Latex- a material between fashion and fetish“.  I created a very fashionable women´s wear collection combining latex with fluffy wool for an interesting contrast.  After graduation I opened my store called “fishbelly” and starting from there I developed my first lingerie collections, firstly selling in my shop only and then via attending trade shows in Paris worldwide.

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    Kathy W: fishbelly has won numerous award for the elegant and sassy line of lingerie.  What is the secret to fishbelly’s success?

    Jutta: I think because the designs look effortless, never masqueraded or make you feel like looking like someone else.  It just gives you the right frame to bring out your natural sexiness.

    Kathy W: We are curious about the Berlin influence.  How is this different from other contemporary lingerie?

    Jutta: Berlin is edgy and has a unique style influenced by its awesome nightlife and art scene.  To transfer this mood to lingerie was easy.  Berlin was always very open minded and tolerant.  So I could find the right inspiration to design for example crotchless panties without the usual tacky appearance. And it made me very proud that especially women loved to buy them!

    Kathy: Could you share on some interesting insights or challenges collaborating with international brands such as Victoria’s Secrets, Topshop, and Dolce & Gabbana?  In addition, are there any upcoming projects and collaborations in the pipeline?

    Jutta: I sold my regular branded merchandise to Victoria´s Secret and Topshop.  (Never sold to Dolce & Gabbana.  But opposite, I sold their underwear in my shop)  Upcoming projects and collaborations have to be worked out yet according to my new Asian location.  I am open to any suggestions!

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    Kathy W: fishbelly has an eclectic mix of intimate wear that is perfect for both daily wear and those very special occasions.  Which are the most popular styles among buyers and what are your personal top favourites?

    Jutta:  That have always been all my “naughty” collections: Crotchless briefs and peephole bras…Me personally, I am also addicted to delicate black laces…

    Kathy W: SimplySxy’s mission is to promote a healthy sexual lifestyle. What are the three top lingerie that you would recommend to our fellow SimplySxy readers?

    Jutta: A nice elegant see-through lace slip dress, a naughty crotchless panty to start playing around and for sure, try out the effect of the unbeatable combination of suspender belt & silk stockings & high-heels….!

     

    fishbelly is located at 45, Hollywood Road 1/F, Soho/Central, Hong KongFor more enquiries, contact fishbelly at Tel. (+852) 5111 9877, mail@fishbelly-lingerie.com or visit their website at http://www.fishbelly-lingerie.com/ All photos in this article are courtesy of fishbelly.

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  • Being a Tease sometimes gets you nowhere

    Being a Tease sometimes gets you nowhere

    Last Saturday, when I was walking down the stairs in my building, I met one of my neighbours.  She is a lovely girl in her mid twenties.  She has lived in the building for a few years and we sometimes have a coffee together or share a bottle of wine.  I could see that she had been crying and I asked her what had happened.  She told me the guy she was dating had just dumped her.  When I asked her why, she said he had told her he could not take any more of her games.  I knew immediately what had happened.  Let’s call her Maria.  Maria likes to tease.  With teasing, I mean in a sexual way.  She once told me she loved making a guy hot and wanting her, and then leave him hanging.  I guess this guy got tired of it and left her.  After some small talk I continued on.

    When I was in my late teens and early twenties, I did the same as Maria.  I would meet guys and then turned them on just to leave them with their dicks hard and no fun.  I guess I did it to feel I had power over them and that they wanted me.  Some would beg me to let them get their way and release the pressure building in their balls.  At the time I was no virgin, far from it.  Maybe it was just my own insecurity as a young woman that brought on this behaviour.  Many of my friends would do the same thing and we would laugh and make fun of the poor guys.

    Then I met a man, we can call him John.  John was in his late thirties and gorgeous.  He had a beautiful apartment, a nice car and was a good dresser.  We would go out and dance, and eat together.  I really liked him, but I could not let go of my wicked ways.  When we would snuggle up on the sofa and he would kiss me I would play along and go as far as touching him over his pants.  I would let him touch my tits and run a hand up my thighs, but never touch any important parts.  This went on for weeks.  It wasn’t that I didn’t want to have sex with him.  I just thought that I had more control over him by doing what I did.

    After a couple of months into the relationship he invited me for a late lunch at his apartment.  When I arrived, he had roses waiting for me and a box of chocolates for dessert.  He had made a beautiful shrimp salad, and there were two bottles of white wine in the fridge.  I had dressed for the occasion in a white summer dress, no bra and only bikini panties.  I knew he could see my nipples press against the fabric and I loved it.  He was in jeans and a polo shirt showing off his strong body.

    tease-300x215After we ate, we had coffee and dessert on the balcony looking out over a park.  We had finished almost all the wine and I was tipsy.  I figured this was the day I would let him go all the way so I began to run my hands over his chest and we kissed.  The kiss became deeper and we moved inside.  He was so hot and so was I we never made it to the bedroom.  He took off my dress and I helped him out of his jeans.  When we were both naked, I lay down on the floor and he knelt between my legs.  His cock was hard and I couldn’t wait to try it.  He lay down over me and I felt him press against me and sighed with pleasure.

    Then he stood up and began to dress, I asked him what was wrong and he said nothing, but I should get up and get dressed.  I didn’t understand what was happening, I felt so exposed there lying naked on the wood floor, my legs spread and my most secret spot open and wet. He looked down at me and said, “Get up, get dressed, and get out of here.” Shocked, I asked, “Why? What did I do wrong? You can’t leave me like this.” He just looked down at me and with a sigh he said. “Now you know how I have felt for the last months. You are a tease, and I want nothing to do with you.”

    When I took the elevator down I had tears in my eyes, I felt so stupid, and so frustrated.  But I had learned my lesson; you could only go so far before the guy has had enough.

    I am not saying it is wrong not to want to have sex, but if you don’t want because of a specific reason, tell the guy, don’t play games.  Dress as sexy as you want, but don’t lead him to think he might get something you know he won’t.

    Read more articles and points of views from Natasha here. Photos courtesy of Shutterstock.

  • Cheated? 5 simple ways to move on

    Cheated? 5 simple ways to move on

    While I do not wish for myself or anyone else to go through the same agony, it is inevitable that some of us would have been cheated on at some point in time be it whether the relationship has run its course or well … the other party has decided that the grass could be crispier on the other side.  Even though I am now in a perfectly happy relationship with my adorably insufferable new beau, I can easily recall those hellish sleepless nights whereby I had spent them unearthly hours trying to rationalize and figure out why things turned out the way they did.  Moving on was exceptionally hard for me, given that it was my first real relationship—spanning half-a-decade—and my immediate instinct was to shut myself from the rest of society and immerse in work.  While my productivity definitely reached an all-time high, I was feeling like a pathetic rat every single day.  I eventually had an epic breakdown before picking up what remained of my miserable self.  It was not after when the ex tried to establish contact several months later to express his regrets and to seek a chance for reconciliation then did I realize that moving on was the best decision that I had made.  By cheating on me, he was essentially the one who could not come to terms with himself and chose to run away from his own insecurity issues.  If you are currently holding onto a destructive relationship that can no longer be salvaged, perhaps it is now the time to re-evaluate your situation.  Here are some ways that I have helped myself to move on:

    Friends and parents

    One of the best ways to acknowledge that the relationship is no longer functional is to come to terms with it and to keep the close circle of friends informed.  However, most of us may take a while before letting the parents know, especially if both parties have yet to meet the parents.  While my friends have been really supportive, my folks were the ones who provided the most emotional support during this period and made sure that I was at least eating well despite waking up to seeing me with puffy eyes every morning.  My mum even skipped her weekly mahjong sessions just to chill out with me.  Right now, two years on, my dad keeps a lookout for me to make sure that I am in a good place in my current relationship.

    No contact

    Out of sight; out of mind.  In my instance, the ex was clearly expecting me to give in and forgive him again after he had initiated the second breakup.  After all, I was the one who forgave him all too easily previously.  This time round, I was determined to cease every means of contact.  Apart from refusing to pick up his phone calls, I went the extra mile by blocking him and his entire clan on whatsapp, facebook, and all other forms of social media.  This made things much easier and I was no longer tormented over whether to give him another chance because he clearly deserved … not.

    To find yourself again

    Sure, things may have changed over the course of the relationship.  While it is most likely that both parties are responsible for this breakdown, there is no need to beat yourself up over it.  It is important to figure out the cause (if possible) and give yourself ample time to internalize it before moving on in order to embark on the journey to find yourself again.  Take part in activities that you have always wanted, but never had the time to.  Indulge and splurge on that piece of luxury item that you had been eyeing with the money you were saving up for a vacation with the ex.  Go for a movie alone and learn to appreciate the solo time that you have earned.

    Sweat it out

    I literally found my solace in jogging and pilates.  It wasn’t soon before I made the decision to sign up to the local gym, hit the threadmill, and went for my first pilates class.  And I have never looked back since.  Apart from relishing in the adrenalin rush, it also made me aware that if I could accomplish the seemingly impossible and arduous feat of those insane elevated leg circles, there was possibly nothing else that I was not capable of.  In a way, this gave me the willpower to put everything to an end when the ex wanted to get back together.

    Burn baby burn !

    What’s the point of keeping those movie ticket stubs, birthday and valentine cards?  These were written and exchanged during better times and he/she clearly no longer feels the same.  Sure, getting rid of all these may come across as a bitter act and seem to be too drastic a step, but there is no better feeling than to watch those painful memories fire up and burn away.   Just be sure to extinguish the flames before bidding the past away.

  • It’s True. Female Masturbation Exists.

    It’s True. Female Masturbation Exists.

    When was the first time you learned about masturbation?  On the playground?  During an awkward discussion with a parent?  On TV? Was it pretty clear to you what it was and how to do it?  Did you understand what it meant to climax or ejaculate?  If you are male-bodied, it is likely that by the time you were a full grown adolescent, you had a pretty good understanding of masturbation and a wide variety of descriptive euphemisms – “jacking off,” “stroking the sausage,” “whacking it,” and a particularly eloquent one that I recently heard, “attacking the one-eyed, purple-headed warrior.”  If you are female-bodied, the path to your understanding of masturbation and how to do it was likely much more covert and maybe even to this day is not fully developed or clear.

    But why?  Most women will explain that masturbation was not talked about when they were young.  Touching yourself or admitting to any type of physical, sexual desire as a young girl was thought of as shameful, dirty, embarrassing or at the very least something not to be discussed with parents or peers.  But with boys, these “tendencies” were considered natural, normal – something to be both expected and tolerated.  A basic understanding of why this is so, points to our society’s general acceptance of men as sexual creatures with natural, physical urges and our view of women as passive objects of those sexual desires, rather than independent beings with their own natural sexual desires and urges.  And while the movement towards a more sex-positive, pro-feminist view of sexuality has taken foot in many circles, this deeply engrained, double standard view of sexuality undeniably still exists.  And if we aren’t conscious of its presence and effect, it is easy to make false assumptions about sexuality – like the assumption that girls and women do not masturbate.  And if they do, they are more sexually active or promiscuous than most girls or women – a practice known as “slut-shaming,” a neologism used to describe the act of making any person (usually women) feel guilty or inferior for certain sexual behaviors or desires that deviate from traditional (i.e. conservative) gender expectations.

    While the assumption is that all men masturbate, several studies have sought to find out what percentage of women masturbate (because, again, a common assumption is that only a minority of women masturbate).  These studies have yielded results varying from 38% to 92% – an extremely large spread.  Clearly, there is something going on that would cause these studies to find such varying results on a regular basis.  I would speculate that the studies reporting larger percentages were administered anonymously and through a medium that did not require face to face questioning, such as via an online survey.  The studies reporting lower percentages were probably done in person or required some elaboration on the part of the participant.  Essentially, I believe that these results illustrate the issue of women feeling uncomfortable or ashamed on talking about their masturbation habits or even admitting that they do it from time to time.

    So what is to be done?  It’s difficult because the fear of slut shaming extends beyond attitudes from men.  Women are just as likely (if not more so) to perpetuate shame when it comes to masturbation.  The thing about shame is that it is often projected onto those around us – especially those (i.e. other women) we identify with.  And if you can’t share stories, tips, and thoughts about masturbation with your fellow vagina owners, how do you learn?  It’s possible to learn from TV and movies, which perpetuate the myth that women don’t masturbate or when they do, it creates confusion, distress, and embarrassment in the women performing the act.  You can try to learn from porn, and if you are able to find some of the new wave pro-feminist and female-produced contents, it can be a good source for viewing women enjoying their bodies and the pleasure that comes from masturbating.  But if you aren’t able to find these contents, good luck finding any images that you can actually relate to.

    I believe a good first step for all women is to seek out sex-positive, feminist literature and media in order to see evidence that other women do masturbate and do so without shame, embarrassment, or negative repercussions.  A book I recommend to clients and friends alike is “Sex for One: The Joy of Selfloving,” by Betty Dodson, a woman who personifies the acceptance and embracing of female sexuality and expression.  For the more adventurous or advanced, I recommend visiting your local sex toy shop (preferably one marketed towards women) and asking for information on different toys or movies that might interest you.  I also strongly believe in the power of being curious and taking the risk of being vulnerable in conversations with friends.  I have had many different kinds of conversations about masturbation with other women – some were wrought with embarrassment, some were really funny, some were tinged with shame, and many resulted in immense relief at the recognition that they aren’t the only one who doesn’t have it all figured out or has what they thought was a “weird” habit.  But in all these instances, masturbation was discussed.  And I believe that sometimes a conversation is all it takes to begin changing our false assumptions about sexuality.

  • Love and Comparisons: Why do we compare ourselves to other people?

    Love and Comparisons: Why do we compare ourselves to other people?

    You date.  Find a great guy.  All goes seemingly well.  Then he dumps you.  You are devastated.  You are a strong woman, and you know you’ll go on.  But what does that take and how the hell do you do that?

    Cut to, a few weeks later.  You see his new squeeze.  Your ass is devastated.

    Does it ever benefit you to compare yourself to another woman?  Ever?  Ever?  But damn!  She’s so  pretty, outgoing, and funny…You’re either one second off to committing suicide, or dating her.  You don’t even know which to do first.

    Of course, you’ve guessed that this is art imitating life.  You are damn straight.  One thing I’ve always tried to do, is give back to the world what I feel I am missing.  So, kind souls, this is my contribution to society.  Thank me later.

    So why do we compare?

    I actually have no good answer for this.  I don’t know why we do.  We just do.  Maybe it’s our EGO, a impression of people’s reactions to us.  If they hate you, you hate you.  If the world, or a guy thinks someone else is better than you, then you, unfortunately think someone else is better…This is not ever true.

    Or, you accept the other person as better, because the person you dated chose them.  You respect the other person’s values so much, that you think:  “Wow, he chose her, and he’s amazing. So, maybe that other person is better than me.”  A pretty dangerous way to think.

    No matter how you do it, comparing yourself to another person will always  F-up your self-esteem.  Don’t do it, ever.  I love you.  Don’t do it=)

    What has helped me in this circumstance, is thanking the universe for presenting a dilemma like this to me.  Somewhere, deep down inside, I want to grapple with this.  If I didn’t, I would  have never been triggered.  The rewards of dealing with difficult situations are usually far reaching, so having this assignment – I welcome it.

    I also learned that it’s better to compare your new self with your old self.  As opposed to other people.  Why?  Because we will never win at comparing ourselves to others.  We simply can’t be them.  But one thing we can do, is to be exceptional, kick ass, and magnetic versions of ourselves.

    Look at who we were before this situation.  Make a list.  What did we do a year (or more ago) that we absolutely don’t do now.  Really think about it, and be thankful for who we are now, and where we’ve come.  If there is anything, we still want, GET IT.  Take care of your body if you want to, rid yourself of unsavoury relationships and people, if you feel that’s essential to your betterment.

    Lastly, It’s helped me  to ignore everybody!  Ignore all opinions good and bad, because they say “you’re never as good as people say you are, and you’re never as bad as people say you are.”  You’re somewhere in between, and if you rid yourself of outside validation; If you don’t live within the opinions of others…. You’ll  never fall victim to dreaded comparisons.  Relationship or otherwise.

  • The Love Experience

    The Love Experience

    “Sex alleviates tension. Love causes it.” – Woody Allen

    Sexual stimulation is a pleasurable experience that can be fun and relaxing.  Sex and love can both create strong attachment feelings and one of the most profound experiences we have as human beings.  The capacity to love and feel loved leads to healthy and intense sexual interactions.  Love is one of the most well-known and least understood conditions in human nature.  Scientists say it’s a drive, similar to hunger or thirst, while psychologists may define it as a social or cultural phenomenon.  Regardless, it is the most universal emotion in the world with elements of each model that drives our need to love, including how sexual attraction and attachment style play a role in our relationships.  Studies in neuroscience show that as people fall in love, the brain releases chemicals that activate the pleasure center of the brain similar to drugs leading to side effects such as increased heart rate, loss of appetite and sleep, and an intense feeling of excitement.  Love can be experienced in different forms.  Our first connections with love are during infancy and childhood, and can set up love schemas that determine our capacity to love others during adulthood.

    Self-Love

    Self-love and selfishness are sometimes confused.  Each has different sources and consequences.  Self-love brings feelings of confidence, competence, and we are much kinder and loving towards others.  Selfishness causes withdrawal, and lack of respect towards self and others.  Self-love and appreciation are directly related to the capabilities of loving and appreciating others.

    The following questions can help differentiate between self-love and selfishness:

    1. When was the last time you felt unhappy with yourself (insecure, irritable)?
    2. When did you last feel happy with yourself (proud, pleased with your personal qualities)?
    3. How did you behave towards other people on those two occasions (happy/unhappy)?  On which occasion were you kinder and more generous towards others?

    When you are unhappy with yourself is probably when you were more selfish.  When we dislike ourselves, the energy we put out is directed towards protecting ourselves and is not focused on how we are treating others.  It is when we love ourselves that we are most capable of giving to, and loving others.

    Love Schemas

    How we are in adult romantic relationships is related to the working models or schemas we develop early in life – usually from our first loving experiences with caregivers. As we grow and develop these schemas become more complex. There are six different love schemas that are similar to the attachment styles that develop during childhood:

    1. Secure – seldom worry about being abandoned and believe other people are trustworthy and have good intentions.
    2. Skittish – wary of intimacy and uncomfortable with closeness, expectations that relationships fail and fear of depending on others.
    3. Clingy – desire closeness and worry that their partners don’t love them or will leave them and fear being on their own and abandoned.
    4. Fickle – uncomfortable with closeness and independence and never comfortable with what they have. They are suspicious of commitment and fear entrapment.
    5. Casual – view love affairs as fun and lacks desire for commitment often fearing intimacy.
    6. Uninterested – not interested in relationships and gets little pleasure out of it and when they end often feels relief.

    The development of these love schemas depends on how comfortable we are with closeness, independence and how willing we are to be involved in romantic relationships.  Identifying our love schema can give insight on our attachment style and patterns in relationships.

    Love vs. Lust

    The beginning stages of love are full of arousal, intense sexual desire, anxiety over rejection, and an array of positive and sometimes negative emotions.  Whether it is lust, infatuation, or romantic love, a preoccupation with the loved one is common and unavoidable.  Lust is actually a normal and healthy human emotion and can be very pleasurable for two people in the expression of sexual interactions.  If two people do not deal with feelings prior to sexual activity lust can sometimes lead to pain and guilt.

    There is this old cliché’ that men use love to get sex and women use sex to get love.

    Even though society is slowly moving towards more gender equality in views of sex – surveys show that more women than men find sex only acceptable in a love relationship.  If one partner is more motivated by lust than love, it can lead to difficulties in a relationship.  The sharing of feelings and intentions by both partners can minimize feelings of guilt and exploitation that can arise when two people have conflicting motivations for a relationship.

    Dependency and Jealousy

    Feelings of dependency and jealousy are often associated with love and are often experienced by individuals that lack self-confidence and self-esteem.  The consequences are a false love that consists of manipulative, exploitive, and unhealthy love behaviors.  These feelings of dependency and jealousy are human and we all feel them at some point in our lives – they are painful and often unavoidable.  The healthiest way to cope with these feelings is to communicate them instead of accusing, attacking, blaming or shaming your loved one.  It will reduce the negative effects of dependency and jealousy.

    Here are questions to assess healthy love in your relationship:

    1. Have you continued to maintain individual interests, including meaningful personal relationships with people other than your partner?
    2. Are you and your lover friends? If your erotic relationship ended, would you continue to see one another as friends?
    3. Have you maintained a secure belief in your own values as an independent person?
    4. Is your relationship integrated with the rest of your life rather than set off or isolated from your other activities?
    5. Do you feel improved by the relationship? Have you become stronger, more attractive, more accomplished, and more sensitive since becoming involved with your partner?

    These are great questions to ask yourself and your partner if you are in a loving sexual relationship.  If either of you answered “no” to more than one question it is worth discussing and looking at possibilities of changing aspects of the relationship.  The quality of a relationship is not measured by the absence of problems – there is no such thing as a “perfect” relationship.  The qualities that are important include honesty, integrity, and concern for resolving problems in a way that meets the needs of both partners.

    Independent, mature, and self-confident people have the greatest capacity for healthy and loving sexual interactions.  Two adults in a relationship that form an erotic bond can share their whole self – and can enjoy each others similarities and accept and be comfortable with their differences.  If someone makes the other person the exclusive focus of one’s life, it can reduce the vitality of a relationship. The healthier way is for each partner in a relationship to develop her or his own potential and be able to contribute individual, unique qualities to a mutually satisfying and stimulating relationship.  This ideal is not easily attained or constantly maintained, but striving towards it contributes to the hope and pleasure that characterize lasting and loving sexual interactions.

  • Top 3 Signs That She is Serious About You (and Not Your Money)

    Top 3 Signs That She is Serious About You (and Not Your Money)

    There seems to be many “nice” guys who are willing to spend a lot on the girl they love.  However, you also want to be sure that she is not just a money-sucker.  Even though primitively, women are looking for men who can provide for their necessities, many have evolved to become materialistic.  It’s a thin line drawn here.  But here are some signs you can use as a guide to “gauge” if ALL she wants is YOU.

    1.  She is not fussy about who pays for dates

    While many guys don’t mind paying for meals and dates, this can be a good way to test if she really is a calculative one.  Never do this on the first few dates as this may portray you as someone very stingy and lacking generosity.  Leave your wallet at home on purpose for once, after the relationship is stable, and see how she reacts to this.  Don’t bother with this girl if she calls off the outing just because of that.  She cares more about money than spending time with you.  She is a keeper if she reacts positively.  Even if she doesn’t have much to offer, drinking coffee in the hawker can be a sweet date as well, because all that matters to her is your company and time.

    2.  She is not using material gains as a measure of your love for her

    Buy XXX handbag for me if you love me”, “Buy me something that is a good measure of your love for me”.  Sounds typical?  She may not say this out right but implications of such is already a good-enough sign.  “Nice” guys are made to believe that giving expensive gifts to their partner is a display of love and sacrifice, and this makes her happy.  Yes, that is true but this encourages her to love you because of what you can give and not for who you are.  I am not saying that we should not spend on branded goods.  Again, it’s a thin line drawn.  It is OK to spurge once in a while for special occasions but using this as a way to blackmail or measure the amount of love you have for her is simply too superficial.  She is here to stay if she can occasionally accept, or even be contented with, “affordable” yet meaningful gifts such as a little card, a small cake, a drawing, a handmade rose..

    3.  She reciprocates in every way

    Many “nice” guys end up in a one-sided love relationship for a very long time, not even realizing that this has been getting very foolish and this girl is totally not worth their time.  They give almost everything they have – time, effort and finances – and the girl just takes it for granted.  You wait for hours under her house just to wait for her to doll up.  She thinks this is “reasonable and acceptable” and gives you this treatment as a “matter of fact” with zero respect.  You help run errands for her at the expense of your precious OFF day rest, and all you get is just  a cold “Thank you” at the end of the day.  If you are in such a situation, it is time to keep a look out for signs of reciprocity.   Does she do-likewise for you in a similar circumstance?  Does she also get you an expensive gift on a special day?  Does she also give you a small massage when you are tired?  Does she also hear you out, like the way you do, when you have a bad day at work?  In short, if you see that she is also putting in 100% of her effort, just like the way you do, you should really keep and treasure her.