MEALTHY relationship and sex life is not only about understanding our past, but exploring what we desire and hat will work for us as an idhual, not a collective society. Here are my top five myths about relationships and sex today: ‘There is a specific number of times we should have sex each week Everything in life has a norm, something to measure against or some level of comparison, such as weight, health and even fashion, Not human sexuality. Every couples different. Every individual is different. [Lis nat about meebny criteria or comparing what everyone tise dacs. It's what works for you, ‘when sex decreases in a relationship, It's abad thing I'sinevitably going to change. Inwon't always be the same as it was in the beginning, but that's nat a bad thing, Intimacy develops as a relationship continues. You fee! more content and open with each other, discussing and exploring things. Is ripping each ather’s clothes off three times a day the holy grail of a relationship or is it about a better connection? ‘Ask, “Do 1 fod happy? Da L fed respected” 's there a defining number of sexual partners? ‘No one has figured it out yet, so how ean we put labels on people that describe them as having "toa much” sex? Words such as “promiscuous” igs Dnorets ae rid ans Sse, at’ Wetec eeenabeisiinke towork with it, Wedemonise anyone whe isa perpetrator and neverstop and try te undersdand why they have dane il. We nzed to step outside and look at what hhas gone on or acknowladge that we don't know the full story. New media has also developed new forms of infidelity, such as “micro cheating’. Ifyour partner is Private messaging sugpestive messages om Instaprarn, is Hat cheating? Asit’s nat stereotypical touching or kissing, poaple think i's harmless flirting, but any behaviour whereyou deceive ‘your partner should have ‘Women still have a high sexual size and biologically weare more sexual beings But society tells us we shouldn't want or think about it as much, soit becomes repressed. We are different beings mentally and emotionally but have thee same level of sexual desire. WHERE DO MISCONCEPTIONS COME FROM? Factors that influence the development of these myths include upbringing, peer groups. religion and schooling, A lot of sex education programs are “fear-based” — how not to get pregnant, how not to contract a sexually transmitted infection and so forth. Mamy myths are glorified through TY shows and env ies and the extension of social media, whicl I believe portrays myths about relationship ideals andl haw weshould portray ourselves sexually, HOW DO WE BREAK DOWN MISCONCEPTIONS? We have to be really careful about comparing ur relationships to those online. Everyone is looking at social media as the baseline ‘of normality. Looking autward of yaur relationship, searching for answers Gnline and through social media is how myths develop. When you understand that there isno such thing as normal. you have the empowerment ta construct your relationship and sex life the way you want todoit. ‘When you hear or read an opinion or advice online, it's useful to ask, “Why isthat the ideal? ‘Why is that theway itis?” Uncovering the reasoning behind certain things is how we bust myths WHAT ARE THE KEY RELATIONSHIP: FACTORS THAT SUFFER AS A RESULT OF MISCONCEPTIONS? Compatibility takes 2 big hitwhea someane walks into a relationship with misconceptions. ‘We talk about compatibility a lot, and Thelieveit can be worked on if you are willing to challenge your |) misconceptions and myths. [someone 4 isnot willing to lel po, challenge or MF cxpioru ar kes, that's when ‘AT THE SUPER BLOOM FESTIVAL, ABBOTSFORD CONVENT. APRIL -14, ‘SUPERBLOOMFESTIVAL.COMSUE ) ~ Let's talk about SEX ‘Want relationship and bedroom biiss? Sexologist Dr Nic Goldstein urges us to Challenge society's norms and be free z= oa jean ee