Sex With Emily - Best Of: 3 Hacks to Boost Your Sexual Confidence
Episode Date: November 10, 2023Confidence is something we all struggle with at times, particularly in our sex lives and relationships. From feeling insecure about our bodies, to not thinking we’re “good enough” in bed, messag...es from society, past partners, and our own shame can affect how we show up in the bedroom. In this Best Of episode, I’m giving you my top tips for boosting your sexual confidence. I also answer your questions like: how do you help a partner boost their confidence? How can you hack your brain to feel confident while naked? How can you fully let go in bed, so that you can experience maximum pleasure? And so much more.In this episode, you’ll learn:Specific exercises for building body acceptanceSexual communication tipsHow to explore sexually, even if you feel less experiencedSee the full show notes at sexwithemily.com.Show Notes:Triple Stimulation MasturbationHow to Orgasm During MissionaryFirmTech (code Emily20 for 20% off)FeeldSHOP WITH EMILY! (free shipping on orders over $69)The only sex book you’ll ever need: Smart Sex: How to Boost Your Sex IQ and Own Your PleasureWant more? Sex With Emily: HomeLet’s get social: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok Let’s text: Sign Up HereWant me to slide into your inbox? Sign Up Here for sex tips on the regular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcript
Discussion (0)
Because we do have a shame around it.
I don't like my o-face, I don't like how I look, what I'm masturbating, I don't want to
even capture myself being sexual.
But I really feel that once you see yourself actually do this and finish and completely
immersed in sexual pleasure, you're going to see, oh, that's not bad and in fact, I look
really hot.
You're listening to Sex with Emily. I'm Dr. Emily and I'm here to help you prioritize
your pleasure and liberate the conversation around sex. All right, let's talk about confidence.
It's something we all struggle with at times, particularly in our sex lives and relationships.
I'm feeling insecure about our bodies, not thinking we're good enough in bed,
messages from society, past partners,
and our own shame could affect
how we show up in the bedroom.
In this best of episode,
I'm giving you my top tips
for boosting your sexual confidence.
I also answer questions like,
how do you have a partner boost their confidence?
How can you hack your brain to feel confident while naked?
How can you fully let go in bed so that you can experience maximum pleasure and so much more in this episode?
Please rate and review Sex with the Emily wherever you listen to the show. We love when
you do that. It helps us. You can do it right now. Do it right now. Just a minute. Just look
at your app and press five stars. My new article, Triple Stimulation Masterbation, and How to Organize Him During Missionary
are up on sexathemily.com.
Alright, everyone, enjoy this episode!
Jinkle those bells because I've got news that's going to turn your bedroom into a sexy
winter waterland this holiday season.
Meet, Promess it, the holiday hero of your romantic escapades.
They've got two gifts that are going to light up your tree.
Their delay spray and warming a rousal gel.
Think of their delay spray as a pause button for penis owners.
Just a few sprays 5 to 10 minutes before the enraping and you're good to go with a little
bit more control over the festivities.
And vulva owners, Promessantence got something for your stocking too.
Their arousal gel is the perfect way to warm up every part of your body and enhance every
sensation.
But wait, there is more.
When you order online, you get free shipping, a 60 day money back guarantee and discrete
delivery.
Go to permesence.com slash Emily for a little holiday treat.
15% off your order on your sleigh ride to satisfaction. That's PROMESCENT.com slash Emily
for 15% off. Permess it because the best holiday gifts aren't rushed.
On today's show, we are honing in on sexual confidence and the specific tools you need to really bring in bed to show up as the lover that you are meant to be.
But first, it's useful to look at what's holding you back sexually.
What's keeping you from being the lover that you want to be?
Well, we're going to dress those psychological pain points.
And then, once we solve for those, we can work with your brain to cultivate authentic confidence, the real deal.
Because there is a difference between being puffed up and fake confidence, you know, the kind that's actually masking and insecurity
involved in there. Talking about having genuine comfort with who you are, what you bring to the
table, what you bring to bed without comparing yourself to your partner and their perceived expertise.
I went to Instagram and I asked you,
what do you think is the one thing
that's holding you back from having incredible sex?
You're as what you told me.
I found this very interesting
and what have seemed to be true over these years.
Your appearance, you just don't love the way you look.
Whether it's your body, your face, your hair,
your genitals.
And one of you wrote me and you said that you literally hate in all caps your body.
You ate your body.
Think about this.
If you hate your body, those are the words you usually like, I hate it.
Think about how it would have challenged it might be to feel comfortable when you're
with somebody else and expecting them to actually like it.
Like you're coming in all armed and hate
and then like, but I want others to love my body.
It's tricky, right?
So that's the relationship we're gonna heal today.
Another one of you wrote,
being self-conscious of my body imperfections.
Hello, we all body imperfections,
but I know that this is a hard one.
Another said,
nervous about farting or smelling. I get it. Hygiene, huge issue. Another one of you wrote to say
lack of confidence due to a scar in my head from a truck accident. So what we heard here from scars
to a post baby belly, to acne, to hair loss, you were all so honest and vulnerable with me on this
issue, which I love and appreciate.
Doesn't it make you feel a little bit more held right now,
a little bit better that we're all sort of
feeling a lot of these same challenges in the bedroom?
The other thing you said was your communication.
You just don't know how to talk about sex with your partner.
And one of you wrote and said,
I can't communicate what I want
because I don't know what I want. Oh, this is a big one.
So many of us don't even know what we want in bed. We know what's happening right now isn't quite
right, but the fact that we don't know what we want feels somehow wrong on many levels, because
we're like, well, how should I know? Maybe you never really thought about it before. If it's
actually different partners,
and you're like, it hasn't quite clicked yet.
I get that, and I want to normalize that.
A lot of us don't know what we want.
We don't know what we want months and months
that changes.
It can change day to day.
It definitely changes over the years
what we want, it's actually,
but really getting comfortable,
even communicating in the air of saying,
I don't know what I want.
A lot of you just said this.
You said, communication is a thing that's holding you back.
And one of you said, how to communicate what I want
with more confidence and less shame?
So these are people who kind of know what they want,
but they're like, I just am so afraid of saying it.
And another one of you wrote, having to admit
that what I want does not allow
my partner of 30 years.
I hear this a lot too. You've
been with your partner for a long time, so long that you feel that how can I tell them
now all these years or all these months in that no, wasn't really working for me. And I
understand that challenge too, but really it's about well first recognizing it. And then
learning how to talk about it a way that it's more collaborative with your partner,
rather than blaming them or shaming them,
you just didn't know.
And another way to frame it is,
I thought this is what I liked,
or I was going along with what I liked,
but would you love to join me on a journey
of us both figuring out what we both want and bad?
It is so liberating.
Another thing you said was that's holding you back
is your inhibition.
You feel embarrassed to truly let go and express yourself in this sexual moment.
And one of you wrote,
My inability to orgasm because I feel embarrassed being seen that way.
We all feel so much shame because we can't orgasm.
Another one to be wrote,
I can't relax.
So I fake orgasms.
My partner doesn't know I've never had one with them in 13 years.
Another one to be wrote, allowing my me to see me at my most vulnerable.
So before I get into some solutions, which I'm going to, I want to say just thank you so much
for sharing with me what you're working on and what your challenges are.
And I think this was the best way to help normalize that we're all going through different
variations of these struggles when it comes to feeling more confident in the bedroom. That was very helpful and actually brought a lot more range of pain points
to my attention and so I really want to start to focus on these for future shows. Along these lines,
I also asked you a second question on Instagram. What is the best thing that helped you become
more sexually confident? And a lot of you give some amazing tips and advice and I'm going to kind of refer to some of these
right now as we get into the advice. Let's just first address this, your physical appearance and
being and the self-consciousness around that. Here's some of my go-to's, they all involve you being
naked and getting comfortable with it because it is possible. In fact, I think most of us start out from a baseline of not being that comfortable naked for many reasons.
We're mostly told don't be naked in front of anyone. It's shameful. Don't love your body.
You only be naked if you're married all the messages. So we don't just like out of the gate.
We're like, I'm super comfortable here. So I got that, but we're gonna get you here.
So one thing is nude picks as
in taking sexy nude picks of yourself, either for you privately or to share with others.
I'm a champion of you taking nude picks, and it's okay to keep them to yourself, but there's
something incredible that happens from actually looking at yourself naked. It can be a turn-on,
it can help with self acceptance. I don't think that we look like how we think we look. I think that you're also going to get your see yourself by doing this in a sexy
light. So just try it for Volvo and penis owners. I mean, I even took my own picks with my partner.
We were playing around. I took picks because I was feeling good. He was taking picks of himself and
we shared them. It's a trusted partner. And I'm just telling you, it's something like once you look
at yourself, I'm telling you, it's going to change how you feel over time. I'm just telling you it's something like once you look at yourself I'm telling you it's gonna change how you feel over time
I'm about to take the first time, but it allows you to see like I am in my pleasure
This feels really good and I'm gonna take this matter into my own hands
And what I love is a lot of you said you were doing this already which just delights my heart to no end
lingerie
Getting used to seeing yourself with less clothes on.
And this is something I talk about getting really comfortable.
We call it exposure therapy,
but you getting naked in your bedroom,
locked the door, maybe even mirroring there
and just practicing looking in the mirror,
looking at yourself naked, taking a mirror,
putting it between your legs also.
That's another level of it.
But just the practice of like,
I'm gonna put on lingerie that I've had
or I'm holding onto and I'm gonna play practice of like, I'm going to put on lingerie that I've had or I'm holding on to and I'm going to play my favorite music. And
I'm going to dance around and they get or lingerie and look at how I can move freely.
And shed any pre-programmed notions of a quote unquote good body. Like what is that
supposed to look like? Because I think there's something amazing in watching yourself move
in something that makes watching yourself move in something
that makes you feel sexy in real time.
And a lot of you said you're already doing this.
When you said, I wear lingerie and I dance in front of the mirror.
Now I get it.
This might sound like too much for you.
So somebody just walk around naked help.
When was the last time you just walked around naked in your house and looked in the mirror?
That is going to help you get comfortable with it when you're with a partner. I mean, think about it. All day long, we're walking around
covered up with clothes on. And then we beat ourselves up because like, why should I
all of a sudden be comfortable with a partner next to me? If you had some experience walking
around naked, finding the angles you like and just feeling good in your body, it would
be a lot easier to slide a naked with somebody else. And the other thing about walking around naked is that you normalize.
Like this is my body.
My body is awesome.
That's what it does for you.
Another tip, find your North Stars as an other creators and social media.
It could be myself.
It could be people you find in TikTok or Instagram, authors, you know, who emulate the kind
of sexual confidence that you
want, and that are getting that positive attention from others, even while not conforming
to strict beauty standards.
Those are the people I want you to look for.
Other people who look like you that are definitely considered hot, or you can tell feel hot
and feel good in their bodies.
So go find those people and internalize the positive attention they're getting because you're just a few steps away from that.
The only difference is that they have practice turning the camera on and embodying it and you're still sort of
Toying with that but you are almost there, but definitely use these people to inspire you and then go through and
Delete all the people and all the media and all the information coming in that makes you feel bad.
Now, this is a pretty embodied exercise. You have to be self-aware enough, which takes practice.
You could just mute them for a while and say, this didn't make me feel good today. So, I'm going to mute that.
And then you'll find that everything you are getting, because if you think about it,
we're in a sense wiring our brains. We are programming our brains every kind of stimuli that's coming in.
If we think, well, I'm going to curate that.
I want to program that so it feels good, find your nor stars and find those inspiration.
Okay, so that was all about body image and appearance that I will hope starts getting
you to a more confident place.
The next thing was communication.
And something that you'll hear me say a ton on the show is communication is a lubrication.
And what I mean about that is talking about your sex life in a normalized,
comfortable way helps everyone have a better time in the bedroom, like I promise you.
If you're all talking about sex, it's going to allow you to feel like sex is
a lot more accessible.
And it's something that you can really share with a partner in a healthy way.
But if communication is a challenge for you and a partner, I want to also normalize the
fact that it's not just one conversation.
Being a healthy communicator takes practice and it takes work.
So like that's the true culture of sex communication is that you have to co-create
together.
You don't want to be like one way talking,
that's a monologue. So some ways you guys can co-create healthy conversations with the
partner is to first well listen to this podcast. I mean, check it out together. So many of you told
me that you listen to this podcast and it helps you build a vocabulary for your desires. It helps
you find the right words to talk about sex with your partner.
None of us were given this. These tools are this information. And then the more granular specific
you can go with what you want, whether it's a specific sex act or a vibe you want to try,
the better you're going to be able to articulate this with your partner. So like I said,
I know a lot of people listen to sex with Emily. They play in the background and they're like, oh, did you see the Emily just said that, you know,
couples who communicate at better sex or couples who date night, you know, have much better
healthy communication. So things like that could facilitate these conversations in a lot
easier ways so you're not just starting blind. I think the thing about listening to a
podcast together is it just less threatening to hear other people say and then you're like, oh, well, if they are doing that, well, I don't feel so weird about it.
It's a great way if your partner says, why are you asking me to do this? Why do you want to talk
about sex? Just say, well, I would listen to the sex positive show and it's encouraged me that if
we have these conversations, it really could be a game changer and it actually could be really hot.
So I want to remind you all that
talking about sex and communicating about sex is actually really sexy and hot and a lot of
anxiety and a lot of the worry just melts away. And the next thing you can just let your partner
know like I am so into you. Here's are all the ways that I love you and I love your sex life.
But would you mind helping me figure out what I'm super into?
And this speaks to those of you who said,
I have no idea what I want.
I don't know what I want in bed.
I don't have to express it to a partner.
This is what helps you by asking for help and saying,
you know, I just had never had a sex talk with a partner
and I want you to help me.
I would love to do this together.
Now you have to expect pushback too.
Because remember a lot of people have never ever talked about sex before so your partner might hear
it as a criticism. If you could explain to them that you view this as part of your growth as a
couple and how important it is to you and that you'd love to help provide them as much pleasure as
possible too, you're going to see them come around. So the point I can know here it's a culture.
Now to one time conversation like I said, you're going to keep them come around. So the point I can know here, it's a culture, not a one-time conversation.
Like I said, you're going to keep having little talks like this over and over and over again.
I promise you you will make progress. So it's going to feel better over time. So these conversations are more
normalized. Okay, so the final thing is you guys talked about your inhibitions. You said like the fact that you feel self conscious about letting go and bad and expressing yourself freely, like
Like the fact that you feel self conscious about letting go and bad and expressing yourself freely like moaning and moving your body and talking dirty and like all of it, that was
a comfortable.
Until you feel super completely comfortable with a partner, it's really hard to let go.
And then even when you do a trusting partner, there might be some latent shame with expressing
yourself.
I mean, one of you wrote me to say that you were worried you'd look at yourself differently
the next day after trying something newer, risque. So for this one, I think the tips above are going to help,
like finding other people doing it, creating a culture of sex communication. But I also
have one amazing, incredible hack that I want to share with you. So you can get used to
seeing yourself completely immersed in pleasure. The next time you masturbate, I want you to take your phone and flip it
on you and I want you to watch yourself masturbating. Film it. See what it looks like to actually
touch yourself. See how it looks to be in ecstasy. What does it look like when you're aroused
as you're approaching orgasm? What's happening in your body? What's happening in your face?
Do you remember what's happening in your thoughts? And I promise you, this tip is going to go a long way in dissolving shame around your
sexual expression. You know, a lot of us keep this part of us tucked away because we do have
shame around it. We're like, I don't like my opays, I don't like how I look when I'm masturbating,
I don't want to even capture myself being sexual, but I really feel that once
you see yourself actually do this and finish and completely immersed in sexual pleasure, you're
going to see, oh, that's not bad. And in fact, I look really hot, which I know is kind of meta,
because then you can like film yourself masturbating and watch yourself masturbating, which is going to be like a huge freaking turn on.
So I really hope that some of these tips help you cultivate an authentic sexual confidence.
And a lot of this takes place outside the bedroom, which is totally cool. It's not just like
in the bedroom, you're going to be confident. You've got to practice confidence elsewhere.
So one thing I had a lot of you write in and tell me that you love your body but you love it as a verb. You move it. You exercise it. You master it.
You hydrate your body. You feel so many wonderful things. So I think that's
just another great tip for cultivating sexual confidence outside the bedroom to
love on your body with actions rather than making it all about the mirror. No need
to feel insecure.
I'll be right back after quick break for our sponsors.
But first, this episode is brought to you by FirmTech.
Now if you listen to the show, you know that sex toys feel good on all bodies no matter
your genitals.
You hear me?
We'll get that out of the way.
But for penis owners, specifically, I love recommending penis rings because here's
deal of penis rings. They help maintain erections. They control your ejaculation and they make
sex feel amazing. Well, firm tech has two exciting innovations on penis rings. First is their
tech ring. Get this. Think of it as a Fitbit. But for your penis, it has built in sensors that
tracks and monitors your vital signs,
so it's providing you with really valuable insights into your sexual health. It'll tell you how
many neckturnal erections you add, strength and duration of your erections, how cool is that
via a penis, I would be wearing this all the time. You know how important your health is. It's a
second pillar of sexual intelligence that I write about in my book Smart Sex. The other one they
have is their performance ring. So unlike other penis rings,
FirmTech's performance ring has this really cool
patented loop and hook design
that allows you to put out on what your flaccid or erect.
So for penis owners, if you struggle with,
let's say, erection challenges or premature ejaculation,
their performance ring can help you maintain
the spontaneity of your sex life
and make your orgasms more intense,
which who does them on back?
So don't wait, go to firmcheck.com right now,
use code Emily20 at checkout and save 20% off your order.
That's F-I-R-M-T-E-C-H.com,
use code Emily20 at checkout for 20% off,
and let me mention great gift for all the penis owners
in your life.
All right, everyone, I'll be right back.
It would be a tragedy if we were losing one person to drug overdose every day.
Even five, seven, or twelve people.
It would be unimaginable if 15 families a day received news of a
lost-level one to overdose. But in Canada, we lose 20 people to overdose every
single day. That's a crisis. At CAMH, we won't back down until there's no one
left behind. Donate at CAMH.ca to help us treat addiction and build hope.
Jinkle those bells because I've got news that's going to turn your bedroom into a sexy winter
waterland this holiday season.
Meet per messant, the holiday hero of your romantic escapades.
They've got two gifts that are going to light up your tree.
Their delay spray and warbing a rousal gel.
Think of their delay spray as a pause button for penis owners.
Just a few sprays 5 to 10 minutes before the unrapping and you're good to go with a little
bit more control over the festivities.
And vulva owners, permecence, got something for your stocking too.
Their rousal gel is the perfect way to warm up every part of your body and enhance every
sensation. But wait, there is
more. When you order online, you get free shipping, a 60-day money back guarantee and discrete
delivery. Go to promessant.com slash Emily for a little holiday treat, 15% off your order
on your sleigh ride to satisfaction. That's PROMESCENT.com slash Emily for 15% off.
Permiss it because the best holiday gifts aren't rushed.
Hi, this is Andy and Lakewood, Colorado.
I'm 44.
My girlfriend doesn't think that she's attractive enough and she thought that's why her libido is kind of low
She doesn't feel really attractive. I think she's amazing and I'm ready to
Don't think her any chance she gives me. I try to tell her how beautiful she is
I try to touch her and be slow and take my time and let her know how gorgeous she is
Now wonderful she is to me, but she tends to get nervous and one of rush through sex or doesn't want to have sex at all.
And she says, because she doesn't think she's beautiful enough.
I know she has to convince herself of that, but I just would like to help her.
I wanted to know that I don't see her that way. I see her as absolutely amazing.
And any work she wants to do for herself, I encourage you to have self-compassion
and not be so critical of herself.
Anyways, my question is how can I be a loving supportive mate for her?
I appreciate your podcast. Thank you. Bye-bye.
So Andy, let me say this. First off, thank you so much for leaving your question.
And compliments can be very difficult, especially if she's not feeling good in her own skin.
So you want to value her opinion and her perspective around this.
So you just want to make like flip it comments, you know, like, oh, babe,
but I think you're so beautiful because that can come across as really dismissive.
You're not there to fix your partner.
I think many of us fall into that category of like, I'm going to fix them.
I love them so much.
I'm going to make them feel better.
There is self esteem and their confidence is going to come from them doing things that make them selves feel better. And then engaging
activities that help build their confidence. And so if they're relying on an external
source for their happiness, that means that their self-esteem is based on the opinions of others, which is really like shaky ground.
Which is why we have to continually in life find things that we can do, that we feel adept at,
that we can feel successful at. It is a process. Also, like helping someone build their self-esteem
just from your words, which obviously like you should still tell your partner all the things that you love about them.
But it really is a job, an inside job, something that we have to work on with affirmations
and flipping our script and the messages that we tell ourselves to be a little bit more
accurate and positive.
It can also help to do activities together
that would build confidence.
Maybe it's doing stuff that she loves
and she can kind of show you areas
that she thrives in.
And sort of, you know,
when you guys are taking class together,
you're working out or you have a workout goal.
You know, where there's like a 360 holistic connection
that's not just involving activities in the bedroom. And you could also help
her think of a new perspective around her body and her appearance. You can help her, you can
facilitate it, but you're not going to be the one who's actually making that change, which can be
interesting distinction. And I know that it's really hard to be in a loving relationship with
someone that you love, but they are not loving on themselves. They are
just constantly like berating themselves and hating themselves and it can be really,
really painful. So mindfulness is important and it sounds like you're there constantly
practicing being in the present moment, meditation helps with this breathing helps with it because
remember when we are present in the moment, we can't possibly
be anxiously worrying about what's going to happen in the future or regretting enough shame
about the past. We are present. So the more we can bring ourselves back to the moment and
that authentic connection to a partner, the more likely we are to start to build that confidence
and self-esteem and self-worth over time. All right everybody, I hope you're taking notes of that.
It's a practice, but a really important one.
Hi, Dr. Emily.
My name is Ruth, and I'm in California.
I have a question for you around building confidence
and understanding what it is that I truly want
from sex and intimacy.
I am 29 and a female.
I have not had an intimate relationship with anybody.
Casual sex has not been a great experience
and that boundaries weren't really respected.
And different religious things are communities
that I grew up and sort of kept me from exploring.
But I've also recently been involved with FET life
and realized how
Kinky and erotic my fantasies are.
And so now I'm torn between the life that I've lived for 29 years
and not having facts really to like being interested in some really
Kinky things and just how to go about, you know, like, do I start
hooking up? Do I wait for relationships?
Do I look for a relationship in this community instead of what I thought I wanted and those sorts
of things?
So if you have any advice on how to navigate clarity around the sexual relationships I'm looking
for, that would be great.
Thanks so much.
All right, Ruth.
So I just want to normalize the fact that you're on this journey.
You're 29 years old.
And I love that you've actually been doing the work to figure out what you do
like. You tried some casual sex.
You joined that life, which is a great community for people looking for alternative
sexual experiences and lifestyles.
And you realize like, wow, I've got some kinky and erotic fantasies, which is
fantastic.
So you don't know even what kind of fantasies
turn them on, and now you know.
So as far as your practical questions
about the next steps, like now what, now I know,
what do I do?
I say you're already built into this natural community
of fat life, and there's probably other ones
in your area, a lot of people like field, F-E-E-L-D,
which is another app that can kind of help you sort of find people who might be looking for alternative kinds of relationships and who might looking for play parties in your area.
And see, like, do you find someone you're aligned with that also aligns your kinky fantasies, and then maybe you will find a relationship from there.
But I think the like, should I be with a partner or should I be with community. And this goes for all of you to try and define it exactly like I know
I'm always saying get clear and what kind of person you want to date, but what I
mean by that is how do they treat you? What do you do on the weekends? What are
their values? Do you share them? What's your sex life like? Like that's a little
bit different than the part about like, is it a relationship? Is it not? I think
when you find your people, when you find your person, you're going to know what to
do next.
So let's just focus on what kind of traits and values and experiences and personality
types that you jive with the best.
And then go to seek those partners, practice being really opening
and communicating about what kind of kinks you're into and what your fantasy life looks like
and then you'll be able to like, pare down and then hone in on what kind of people you might
want to date or be with.
So I think that it's just taking time to figure out what you do want. And then
the answers will indeed evolve and how to execute a mis kind of relationship. You know, you
might find a relationship, I hope, that if it feels all of the need, someone who supports
your boundaries, you know, they're into kinky hot, consensual sex, I want you to all of
that. And I think you're going to find it now that you've even gotten even more clear on what you're into
But there's a lot of different ways to have sex to be in relationship
But the more we can kind of do research be involved in different communities and then actually like sit down and write about it or journal
Just like what felt right to me about everything I've learned we got to keep refining and honing and just getting clear getting clear
Getting clear and then that's how you're going to attract that person
to you.
It also know to have find that person when you're out there.
So you can weed out the people that aren't right
and just move towards other people that are right for you.
All right.
Thanks for your question.
I really appreciate it, Ruth.
This is from Elena, 21 in New York.
How do Dr. Emily, I'm having a bit of a dilemma
regarding sexual insecurity.
I came into college having never had a boyfriend or a much sexual experience. And early into college, I'm having a bit of a dilemma regarding sexual insecurity. I came into college having never had a boyfriend or much sexual experience and early into college
I got into a relationship.
But I was no way pressured by the guy about sex.
I thought I was too old to be a virgin, I was 18, and we were quickly sexually active.
We had sex a few times, none of which were particularly enjoyable for me and then he
broke up with me.
After the breakup, he was vocal with our mutual friends about how unfun I I was actually and how the new world is with a much freaky year.
While I know this isn't an uncommon experience, it affects me more than I care to admit and
I slowly retreated from sex to the pandemic really solidifying this.
Now at age 21 I've never been with anyone else, I've recently been trying to get out
there more and have been active on daily gaps and going on dates, and while I'm very
confident about my appearance and know I'm a catch, I'm super insecure about my
sexual abilities.
Through a lot of experience with my own body, I have a pretty good idea of what I like,
but I want it to be a fun experience with a guy and don't want to be deemed boring.
I also don't want my lack of experience to be a parent or be an issue at the moment.
Any tips for feeling more confident sexually for a very little experience and for your drought or resources to learn from stuff and feel a
little more skilled. Thanks Dr. Emily. I love the pod. All right Elena. Thank you so
much for this question and oh god this is so relatable. I mean anyone else go
to college at 18 and feel like oh my god at 18. I've never had sex before. I
should just go have sex and figure it out. I mean how are you supposed to know? How
you just know what you like and what you're into.
And I am sorry that you got to disparaging comment
from a guy that you dated because that can really
set you back into clearly.
How set you back?
I mean, how many of us can relate to that one comment
about someone saying like, you're a bad kisser
or your body's not my type or even hearing a rumor.
They talked about you.
This can just be so devastating, but what we can do,
you know, that's, you know, when you feel the feels,
it sounds like you have, and for a lot of us,
we just have to let that go and replace it
with some really mindful work about feeling good
in our bodies.
Now, you know that I love masturbation because masturbation really helps you feel
in control and feel confident about what your body needs, what you're into, what turns you on,
and you can communicate that with a partner. And that also helps to keep your sexual energy flowing.
So again, you feel ready to go with any action that might come your way, but you also move through the
world with this energy in your body.
Like, I am sexually satisfied in my body and feeling good.
I love positive affirmations.
I actually do them every morning.
And that can really just trick our minds like knowing that we're freaking hot.
We are fierce.
Some examples can be is I the more I accept the way I look
and I love the more I will love myself, you know, the more self love I give, I will become
more loving and more lovable. I am a sexual being deserving of pleasure. You know, honestly,
you guys, if you, if you are somebody who has played with native self-talk, if you just put it
on your notes and your phone and you listen to some apps, I think it's really fun to wake
up in the morning and like recite these affirmations.
That's really helpful.
You could also move these into the mirror work I talked about.
Also, like the more you actually look at your body, the more you're going to grow to accept
it.
It's going to just become more normalized and a little more relaxing for you to look at yourself.
And I don't care. You could be naked. You'd be clothed, but take time to like admire yourself and
watch the way you move through the world and how you look could really help ground you and also
help you get a little bit more confidence in this area. This whole notion that a lot of you have
about experience, like well, my partner is way more experienced than I do. First, I'm telling you, someone could have sex with a lot more people than you have.
It doesn't mean that they're necessarily like a good lover or an intent of lover.
You could have sex with so many people, but it doesn't mean that you know how to be
present, how to communicate, how to be a conscious lover, and how to be a mindful lover.
In fact, to me, that is a really rare skill set. And so every time you are with a new lover,
you have the opportunity to start again,
to connect with them, to pay attention,
what are they into, what turns them on,
to have healthy conversations.
So I can just guarantee here too,
and also to our email, Elena, and everyone listening,
like no one is sitting there comparing you.
I know you had a really bad experience in your A-Team, but as adults now, and as you've
matured, I think you're going to find more lovers who are really excited to connect with
you in the moment and figure out how you can co-create a really hot sexual experience.
Now, why don't you try to release this old story about what this guy said and did, and
replace it with a new narrative that you'd like to hear.
I'm a beautiful lover accepting him great pleasure. I give and receive love easily.
Just wherever those things might be to continually say those, work on yourself and show up as a
present conscious lover for what's next. So you're asking for resources to learn some stuff about
it as well. And I think that these are some resources here that we've provided.
We also have a great show that we did called First Date,
first, or guys of first three,
some which we'll put in the show notes,
which can also give you some perspective.
I'm like, we're all in this together.
A lot of us worry about all these firsts
that we got to come out shining and know what we're doing.
You know, I mean, we necessarily don't,
but I give you tips for this as well in that episode.
So when you're with a new partner, that's a great to communicate how you're feeling.
Like, I'm feeling a little rusty.
I haven't done this in a while, but I'm so turned on.
I've been spending a lot of time on myself, pleasing myself, but, you know, just kind of
saying it.
So you don't have to worry about it, too, because I'm telling you, you have one partner
that's negative.
Most of us don't have like 15 partners who said shitty things to us.
Usually it does one.
So that's the good part.
Most partners that you choose
are gonna be loving supportive partners
who want the best for you truly,
and they're gonna get off on your pleasure.
So that's the kind of partners we're all looking for.
And remember, if you're partner,
anybody you're with,
says something that makes you feel bad,
you get to number one choose that you're not going to internalize it that that's their story.
It's about their own things and number two decide that you're not going to be with this person anymore
and you're not going to surround yourself with these kind of people. Period of story.
So I don't want you to go through that again. I don't want any of you to go through that again.
So be aware of people you're with, are they making you feel supported?
Are they kind? Are they loving? Are they accepting you people you're with, are they making you feel supported, are they kind,
are they loving, are they accepting you where you're at, and do you feel safe to explore
and go a little bit deeper.
That's what I want for you.
All of you.
That's it for today's episode.
See you on Tuesday.
Thanks for listening to Sex with Emily.
Be sure to like, subscribe, and give us a review wherever you listen to the podcast and share this with a
friend or partner. You can find me on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter at Sex with Emily.
Oh, I've been told I give really good email. So sign up at sexwithemily.com and while you're
there, check out my free guides and articles for more ways to prioritize your pleasure.
If you'd like to ask me about your sex life, dating, or relationships, call my hotline
559 Talk Sex.
That's 559-825-5739.
Go to sexwithemily.com slash askemily.
Special thanks to A-Cast for powering the Sex with Emily podcast.
Was it good for you?
Email me feedback at sexwithemily.com.
[♪ OUTRO MUSIC PLAYING [♪
Jingle those bells because I've got news that's going to turn your bedroom into a sexy winter
waterland this holiday season.
Meet per messant, the holiday hero of your romantic escapades. They've got
two gifts that are going to light up your tree. They're Delay Spray and Warming a Rousel Gel.
Think of their Delay Spray as a pause button for penis owners. Just a few sprays 5-10 minutes
before the unwrapping and you're good to go with a little bit more control over the festivities.
And Volvo owners, Permanent's got something for your stocking too.
Their arousal gel is the perfect way to warm up
every part of your body and enhance every sensation.
But wait, there is more.
When you order online, you get free shipping,
a 60-day money-back guarantee and discrete delivery.
Go to permesence.com slash Emily for a little holiday treat,
15% off your order on your sleigh ride to satisfaction.
That's PROMESCENT.com slash Emily for 15% off.
Permess it because the best holiday gifts aren't rushed.