Relationships - Emotions in sexual relationships
What is intimacy?
Intimacy is important in a healthy sexual relationship. Intimacy develops with time.
You need to know when and if you are ready to invite someone to be close to you, rather than just letting it happen. You need to decide if it is really right for you.
Emotions in sexual relationships
Ask yourself these three questions. They can be a good way of helping you make safe choices.
- Do I feel safe? Is this is safe place, a safe person? Is there a chance I could be taken advantage of or could I be hurt?
- Is this my decision? Is there peer pressure? Is there pressure to be in a relationship, to appear “normal”? Is this person pressuring me to do something I don’t want to do?
- Do their actions show that they care about me? Does this person make you feel safe and cared for? Physically – do you have tingly and excited feelings or sick and yucky feelings? Emotionally – are you comfortable with your feelings about the person AND the situation? Socially – are you true to your values and beliefs (personal, family, religious, cultural)? Does this person treat you with respect?
