Emily Fitzpatrick

Sex is all around us, yet no one is really talking about it. Ironically, by some magical default, we’re supposed to be really good at knowing our desires and have mind-blowing sexual experiences. The taboo nature sadly limits the depth with which we understand human sexuality. It’s this lack of understanding (which is not our fault, btw) that tends to leave us with insecurities and grasping for what’s “normal.” Also, let’s be real, sex hasn’t centered or even highlighted our pleasure, and I’d like to change that! I don’t believe that sex, sensuality, and pleasure need the fear-based backbone that’s systemically carved into our baseline learning experience. People deserve to heal their sexual relationship with themselves and to have pleasurable embodied experiences that can adapt to every season of life. Over a decade ago I was sitting in a Love, Lust, and Relationship class. In an auditorium of hundreds, it felt like the professor was only talking to me. I felt alive. Seen. It was like none of the other students were there. It was just me, and the professor, talking about sex. It was the first time I ever heard sexuality discussed in a positive and matter-of-fact light. The Catholic guilt I internalized from my childhood was shaken in the best way possible - I was hooked on learning more and I started my own journey of unlearning harmful narratives that weren’t doing me any justice. Following the “script” of what “good” sex looked liked felt disappointing and predictable; yet, I thought that if I followed the rules and kept my authentic desires and expressions at bay, I’d be safe from guilt and shame. As a result, I expressed sexuality in a robotic way and had some discovering and unpacking to do. If you suspect there’s even more fulfilling knowledge and pleasure awaiting you and you’re ready to define your normal, by saying f*ck it to limiting lack-luster stories you’ve internalized, let’s lean in. You deserve to explore edges and boundaries that honor you!