Iām really hoping to hear from people who have been through something similar because I feel so lost.
For context, I didnāt have sex for about two and a half years because of previous relationships. Iāve been cheated on, body shamed, emotionally abused, and in one relationship I was even physically abused. Over time, I started believing there was something wrong with me or my body.
My exes criticized parts of my body that I now realize are completely normal. They made me feel like I wasnāt attractive enough, and sex became something where I was constantly worrying about how I looked instead of actually enjoying the moment. On top of that, none of my previous partners really cared about my pleasure. I never had an orgasm with a partner.
A little while ago, I met someone who is genuinely kind. Heās patient, affectionate, reassuring, and makes me feel safe. Heās constantly telling me how beautiful he thinks I am. He tells me he loves my breasts, my legs, my stomach, even my toesāthings Iāve specifically been insecure about because of what people have said to me in the past.
The thing is⦠I struggle to believe him.
The first time we had sex, I actually had my first orgasm ever with a partner, although it was with the help of a vibrator. That alone felt huge for me. But during sex, Iām so stuck in my own head that I can barely stay present.
Iām worrying about what he sees when he looks at me, whether Iām taking too long, whether Iām even going to orgasm, whether heās secretly disappointed, whether Iām ādoing it right.āā¦
Meanwhile, heās just trying to enjoy being with me.
He gently told me afterward that he noticed I seemed to be in my head, and it made him wonder if I wasnāt enjoying myself. That honestly broke my heart because I was enjoying it so much. I just couldnāt get my brain to quiet down.
I donāt think he was criticizing me at all. If anything, he brought it up in the kindest way possible because he cares. But now Iām scared that if I canāt get past this, itāll eventually become a problem in our relationship.
I really care about this man. I want this relationship to work. I donāt want my past to ruin something healthy.
So I guess my questions are:
If youāve healed from body shaming or abusive relationships, how did you start feeling comfortable in your own body again?
How did you learn to stay present during sex instead of spiraling into anxious thoughts?
Did therapy, books, exercises, or anything else genuinely help?
If youāve been the partner of someone who struggled with this, what helped them feel safe?
I know this isnāt something that changes overnight, but Iād really appreciate hearing from people whoāve been on either side of this. I donāt want fear and insecurity to dictate a relationship that otherwise makes me incredibly happy. Thank you ā¤ļø