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300 pages, Hardcover
Published October 10, 2023
"My friend, Dr. Laurie Mintz, says disclosing that you have been faking [orgasms] may not be necessary or wise. Instead, you can simply ask your partner to focus on whatever you need more of (clitoral stimulation, affectionate touch, words of affirmation, pretend play, patience, etc.)."
"Relational Self-Awareness: An ongoing curious and compassionate relationship we each have with ourselves. By helping us take responsibility for how we “show up” in our relationships, Relational Self-Awareness provides the foundation for thriving intimate relationships".
What are your sexual values? How do you want a partner to feel during an intimate moment with you? Why?
Answer: Lies over everything. Fake. Because I'm scared
How do you ensure that your sexual values and your sexual behavior are aligned? How do you know when they are not aligned?
Answer: By making sure they are set to "Lie". When I tell the truth.
What, for you, is the foundation of a happy intimate relationship?
Answer: Certainly not trust 🤡
"Making a heartfelt apology is a key relationship skill.
We hurt people who matter to us. It’s such an unfortunate and inevitable reality. Being willing to offer a heartfelt apology helps. The problem is that few of us learned how to do this in our Family of Origin. Making a heartfelt apology is a key relationship skill. Here’s how to do it:
• Take responsibility: “I did X.”
• Name the impact: “My action hurt you.”
• Bear witness: “Tell me how you’re feeling.”
• Offer to repair: “I wonder if this would help.”
Standing in accountability helps heal the rift between you and the person you love. Far from being a sign of weakness, taking responsibility takes strength. It sets the other person up to begin their forgiveness work and gives you the opportunity to witness yourself standing in your integrity."
"When you speak to everyone, you speak to no one." -Meredith Hill
"Creativity and play can keep monogamy from becoming monotonous, but vulva-bodied people (and their partners)..."
"Partner A and Partner B go to a party. On the way home, A vents to B about a confusing interaction A had with the host of the party. B feels a rush of irritation and says, “I thought it was really fun. Why don’t you just focus on what went well?” A feels invalidated and judged. B feels deflated and disconnected."
"Partner A asks Partner B to make a change that A thinks will improve the relationship.
• B makes that change because they are humble and brave. I urge A to acknowledge the heck out of B because:
B can reassure A, “I’m committed and I’m attracted to you,” and that reassurance might help A feel connected. But B’s words cannot override A’s internalized story of their own worthlessness.
Instead:
• A needs to do the introspective work of naming the story that gets activated when B isn’t in the mood for sex.
• A needs to connect with the feelings "
"If we need affirmation, we need to let our partner know. For example, let’s say Partner A is the primary breadwinner while Partner B is the primary homemaker. B knows (as all at-home partners know) that what she does all day is largely invisible. If A doesn’t validate her efforts, B knows she’s at risk of getting passive-aggressive. (“I suppose you think I sit around all day eating bonbons?”) So what can B do when A gets home?..."
"Allowing ourselves to get in touch with what we want can make us feel quite vulnerable.
I think this is in part gendered. As women, we can spend a lifetime orienting ourselves to the desires of others: our supervisors, teachers, love interests, kids..."
"If you have only ever solved stuff on your own, you will treat a “we problem” like a “me problem.”
A man and a woman are in the early stages of dating:
• Something happens—a disappointment or a misunderstanding.
• She raises the problem.
• He ends the relationship saying, “I can’t give you what you want.”
• The relationship ends, and she’s left with a fear of attracting only emotionally unavailable men.
I’ve given this scenario in gendered terms,
but this doesn’t mean it’s the only way it happens."