I have been loving the chance to share what many of my smart, empathetic friends and colleagues wish they had learned earlier about sex and relationships through the #WishIdLearned story series. Today’s lesson comes from Mollie Parks, who finds and shares beauty through vulnerability as a makeup artist and blogger:
I wish I had learned that sex was an act between always willing partners. Growing up in “purity culture” I was taught I would gracefully put up with my partner’s needs, and that as a female, I did not have much, if any, of a sex drive.
I wish I had known that my needs were valid and right and even simply ok. It takes so much time to undo messages that devalued my humanity and sexuality. I think younger Mollie would have been much more excited about relationships had I known that I am equal to my partner.
Thankfully, I married a terrific guy who is patient and loving and is very interested in my needs – and sees me as his equal.
More about Mollie:
Mollie is a New York City based makeup artist who teaches women how to take risks and own their inner rockstar. She is passionate about beauty that goes deeper than skin and works to help women find courage to be themselves. She writes about her journey with depression and anxiety at styleofyourown.com, because she wants others to know they are not alone. You can find her at mollieparksmakeup.com and on Instagram & Periscope @MollieParksMakeup.
The post What I Wish I’d Learned: My Needs Are Equal to My Partner’s appeared first on Kate McCombs.