I have been single for a while now. My past relationships have been less than stellar or fulfilling but it has caused me to be mildly misanthropic and averse to people. Apart from needs like sex I am not sure why so many couples are even together.
I am in a phase where I am preparing for a relationship. But I am not sure what people are getting out of intimate romantic relationships apart from sex?
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posted by skwint
on Apr 5, 2013 -
42 answers
I definitely don’t want, and am not ready for, a relationship. I do want a bit of fun now and then, except insomnia and overstimulation mix with a bit of post-coital anxiety and mess everything up. What are things I can do to soothe myself to sleep, so I can enjoy the evening I had?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 22, 2013 -
11 answers
Please share your knowledge about the customs of dating, my question being from the point of view of a sexual abuse victim, and of the reactions of men who go on dates with her.
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posted by Jireel
on Feb 1, 2013 -
37 answers
I've recently been through some major life changes and find myself feeling strong romantic feelings for an old friend, former co-worker. I fear acting on my feelings because I don't want to jeopardize our platonic friendship which, at my age (65) is precious. I worry that even talking about my change in feelings for this woman might ruin our friendship. I'm not certain that she has reciprocal feelings for me, although I think she might. We are very compatible in most regards, intellectually, shared interests and activities, etc. And the friendship just as it is is rare and cherished. Should I 'confess' and risk what we have, or accept it for what it is and look elsewhere for the intimacy I seek? As might be obvioius, I have limited experience in physical (sexual) and emotionally-close relationships.
posted by NorthCoastCafe
on Dec 3, 2012 -
10 answers
I know I deserve better in my relationships with men. I know that I am worth so much more than what I get. How do I start to stop letting myself make stupid choices?
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posted by houndsoflove
on Nov 19, 2012 -
31 answers
Can you really be addicted to a certain kind of sadness?
Ugh...I hate that song. My boyfriend has serious intimacy issues but is trying to work on them. I feel intermittently insecure/frustrated/sad/angry and I don't know how much longer I can take it...
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posted by entropy33
on Nov 4, 2012 -
14 answers
My aspie husband and I have good sex, but he doesn't seem to value intimacy. Or maybe to even be capable of it.
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 9, 2012 -
16 answers
I may be starting adult attachment therapy in the next week, on the advice of a crisis counselor and after a few years of on-and-off treatment for anxiety and depression that's not getting me very far. Point me to some quality, hopefully easy to find resources that can spell out what the experience might be like.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 18, 2012 -
4 answers
O wisest MeFites, do you have any ideas about how to foster intimacy in a friendship with someone who is emotionally guarded and shut down?
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posted by strelitzia
on Aug 15, 2012 -
26 answers
My wife of 14 years never tells me she loves me. She never initiates sex. She never holds my hand, kisses or casually touches me. No pillow talk. No thoughtful little gifts. I do all of these things for her as often as I can.
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posted by anonymous
on May 22, 2012 -
43 answers
Late-twenties female in need of new strategies for handling intimate encounters and avoiding disassociation during sex and shame afterwards.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 5, 2012 -
35 answers
I'm ridiculously attracted to my wife but her sex drive is an issue. And when we do have sex, the effort I put into the act isn't reciprocated, which to me is almost the biggest issue. We've talked about it but nothing's really changed. What next?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 6, 2012 -
45 answers
I'm involved in a new relationship with a guy that I like. He's what I would describe as very self-contained. Quiet, comes off as pretty shy, and requires a bit of effort to get to know. Things have recently started to get physical, but I'm finding myself frustrated because I have no idea how to read this guy's signals and moving things forward is up to me. What does complete silence mean?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 18, 2012 -
30 answers
They pretty much all want it and I'm feeling very discouraged. Are there HONESTLY men out there who are sexually satisfied if their partner does NOT have an orgasm?
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 1, 2011 -
41 answers
I'm dating a guy who is different from everyone I've ever dated before (in a good way) and because of that I don't know how to build emotional intimacy with him.
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 27, 2011 -
23 answers
Sex question :) What else is there to experiment with, besides the act itself? Looking for as many ideas as possible.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 8, 2011 -
20 answers
What are the nice aspects of becoming intimate with a "romantic partner"? What does it feel like when it's a healthy situation? Can you give me some examples of things that are nice about sharing your life in an intimate way with your partner?
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posted by Chrysalis
on Jul 13, 2011 -
24 answers
Almost 30, filled with hang ups and doubt, on collision course with self-prescribed therapeutic imperative.
[Abridged Autobiography Inside]
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 21, 2011 -
17 answers
How do I reconcile my interests and passions with creativity and human sexuality, in the face of death, grief, and tragedy? Are there any thoughtful heartfelt resources from those who have talked about the two?
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posted by divabat
on Jan 3, 2011 -
10 answers
Given that I know my defence mechanisms are still operating on high after leaving an emotionally abusive relationship, and I keep getting cold feet with anyone who tries to get close to me, and yet still crave small doses of intimacy, how can I ethically conduct myself with people who are/could be interested in me?
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posted by Chrysalis
on Dec 21, 2010 -
6 answers
How do I let people love me? Will I ever outgrow my fear of intimacy? I'm in my late 20s. I'm scared of intimacy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not scared of sex. Won't think twice about a threesome, but am startled by holding hands. If a guy wants to get to know me more, compliments me, or crosses the line from being sweet to me to being sweet on me, I get super flustered. I stutter or look at my feet. I run away.
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posted by jamaisvu
on Nov 6, 2010 -
15 answers
What is the best way to help my girlfriend cope with or overcome body image issues that make physical intimacy a bit of a challenge? NSFW details.
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 5, 2010 -
24 answers
My husband loves erotic photography and wants to start doing it. I'm not as thrilled, but I want him to have a hobby.
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posted by frosty_hut
on Sep 27, 2010 -
76 answers
How to be mellow while traveling together with a friend I used to be very close to in college (but didn't date) and who I haven't seen for a long time?
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posted by wallawallasweet
on Jun 19, 2010 -
10 answers
Curious about using paid sex as a temporary respite for my current situation...multiple questions within
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posted by anonymous
on May 10, 2010 -
45 answers
(relationship filter] Please help me choose between true love and great sex. Of course, I don’t really mean that. But I do need help making a decision and whatever I decide to do, someone’s heart is going to be broken.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 25, 2010 -
47 answers
I dislike oral sex. My partner likes oral sex. We're both in our early thirties. I'm female in a relationship with a man.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 12, 2010 -
61 answers
Lonely, hungry for intimacy, ravenous to be touched, coddled or stroked. I'm old, sick and unattractive, I used to be smoking hot but men don't look at me any more, nor do they even acknowledge my presence. The area I live in is sparse for dating, and I've even tried one night stands. I have given up. What are some other ways to get the physical needs I have for the human social intimate relationship I do not have? I've done the CL casual encounters, internet dating etc.... Going for a massage now to see if it helps, and yes I have a loving and much loved pet....but I need more. Any resources? I'm sure there are others like me out there.
posted by ~Sushma~
on Nov 6, 2009 -
15 answers
After a series of painful relationships, when did you know you were ready to date again? Alternately, how do you tell the difference between "not ready" and "making up excuses to not date due to being scared silly of the opposite sex" and "anxiety problems" ?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 2, 2009 -
11 answers
How do you learn to choose others when you’ve always let others choose you?
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posted by elke
on Oct 16, 2008 -
14 answers
NSFW: Extreme nervousness or anxiety makes it very difficult to become intimate with new partners please help!
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 8, 2008 -
15 answers
