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Jumat, 28 September 2012

Why We Love Freud


We often think about sex. Why? Sex is one of those instinctual urges. This is an idea Sigmund Freud talked about frequently. Shannon Ray is here to talk about why Freudian ideas and Freud himself influences sex today.

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Sex through history

Throughout history, sex has played a major role. Wars have been started due to it; think Helen of Troy. Clothing has been designed to hide it; think Victorian era or to enhance it; think rubber, leather and latex. The type of beer and automobile we purchase are due to hidden sexual messages in advertisements. Even the expression "getting laid" dates back to the customers of a 1900’s Chicago bordello the "Everleigh Club". ("I’m going to get Everleighed tonight.") Some feel that our very existence comes down to simply getting laid, that sex is the primary motivation for our existence.

Freud's sexual theories

Sigmund Freud was one of those people. His belief was that everything we do is in relation to sex. Case in point: Being a pet owner shows the "softer" side of one's persona: a caretaker, a giver. We earn a paycheck to show that we are stable and able to provide. We shower and brush our teeth, and practice good general hygiene to attract others to us.

Even though there are some of us who choose not to mate, we are inherently sexual creatures. In the end, it’s all smoke and mirrors to attract someone into our “sexual web." Sex is wired into our brains- whether we like it our not.

In situations, difficult or not, we get defensive about those three little letters: S E X. No matter your social class, income level, gender role or credit history- sex is a part of our lives. Either we are not getting enough or we are getting too much. It’s either too kinky or too vanilla for our taste buds. Our partners are either too fast on the draw or too slow for words. Sex rarely seems to be just right. But when it is, it’s the equal to a starvation diet that ends with a buffet. It’s the best we ever had and we’re not too proud to beg for more. And though you may not agree with Freud or me we both have a point:

In the end, is sex the reason? Give it a moment and think about it.

Thinking about primping

How vigilant would we be in our primping ritual if sex weren’t the wanted result in the end? Would a Stairmaster really be a high priority if no one were there to watch our asses? That last piece of pizza or cheese Danish would be finished off with a smile instead of a dismal sigh while calculating calories. And even when we do get the prize, is it really worth it? Wouldn’t all this be much easier if we purchased a vibrator and lived like we wanted to?

Let’s take for example a typical relationship (which in the end is really just code for wanting sex on a regular basis):

You meet and are freshly groomed from your non-showing roots atop your head to your freshly painted toenails. You’re on your best behavior; all the time your hormones are in overdrive. The courting process has officially begun. This means that you must wear only your sexiest underwear, shave and moisturize your legs, and carry extra breath mints in the purse that you never used to carry. (Because, as everyone knows, you need to look both sexy and organized when trying to get laid.) You’re beyond witty, beyond charming, beyond anything you’ve ever been. This is no ordinary persona, this is “super you”. This is your “gonna get me some” self.

Finally the big night arrives. You’ve polished, waxed, shaved, trimmed, and tweezed as much as possible. There are enough candles to light a small village. Hours have been spent cleaning the entire house- just in case there’s a pre-sex inspection.

Soon the fresh sheets are no more. The sex monster has beckoned and you have answered the call. All the time, wishing you had checked your caller ID prior to answering. Soon enough, you’ll be wearing your faded flowered underwear instead of the black thong. Your roots will be showing, proving that you’re really not that true blonde, brunette or redhead. Some dismiss this as the “groove” of a relationship. But let’s face some facts. The let down has happened, the sexual conquest is over and it wasn’t much to write home about. And all that’s left are some melted candles and stale breath mints.

Before long, we’ll be primping ourselves and be back on the prowl. And none the wiser for we never really learned our lessons. If we luck out tonight, it’s back to scrubbed walls and organizational clutches. If not, I suggest investing in a vibrator and a brownie or two.

Shannon Ray has been interested and active around sex blogging for years. She loves talking, thinking about and researching sex. So, of course, she's the perfect GetLusty writer!

“I was raised by a tribe of drag queens. They taught me how to be fierce with a pen and lip-gloss,” often jokes writer Shannon Andrews-Ray. Having dated both sexes for nearly 15 years, Shannon gives an ‘Alice through the Looking Glass’ spin on the often hilarious mating habits of both men and women, through her various incarnations of her dating columns. “Love’s Frosting” is her most recent tumble. Want to get in touch? E-mail her here.

Senin, 24 September 2012

5 Reasons to Use Non-Violent Communication

Our Chief Lust Officer, Erica Grigg, was interviewing Lee Harrington. Lee told us he'd been thinking about this non-violent communication for a while, but couldn't find the time to write a post about it. Because, he said, NVC can really help communication in relationships. We said--you know what--that sounds fabulous! So here's the second in a two part series on using non-violent communication to improve your relationship. Thanks, Lee for the wonderful idea.

We have turned this into a two part series. Part one discussed the fundamentals of non-violent communication. This is part two: the pros of using non-violent communication in a relationship. Our Crimson Love reports.

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When it comes to a big fight or argument with the significant other, we have all been there. The not talking, the shutting down, yelling, door slamming, pointing fingers and the "I know I'm right," mentality.

It hardly settles in a resolution because no one wants to be wrong, everyone wants to be right and plays the victim. It's time to stop and try non-violent communication; NVC.

Why? Read on.

#1 Keep hostility to a minimum

In a fight the levels of hostility can escalate very quickly. Using NVC can keep the levels low and keep you two from escalating the fight before reaching a resolution.

#2 Helps you keep perspective

It's easy to loose perspective when you get angry at your lover. You just want to tell them off and loose your cool. However, using NVC can help you keep perspective and keep in mind what the goal of the conversation is. What you're arguing about is important. But what's most important is to be heard and hear your partner.

#3 Increases the likelihood of a resolution

Conflict is essential to keeping relationships healthy. It's natural that you and your partner don't agree. Can't resolve your fights or your problems? That could be bad. Because NVC helps you keep perspective, the likelihood that you and your lover can come to a resolution increases.

#4 Helps prevent shutdown

Just being outright angry and nagging at your lover can make them just shut down and be unresponsive. This can be very negative and move you father from each other. Using NVC can help you keep calm and keep you both on the path to resolution.

 #5 Makes for a more constructive setting when fighting or arguing

Instead of tearing each other down and getting nowhere because you have entered the couple version of a pissing contest, NVC can keep you focused and calm, and constructive.

Try non-violent communication and see how much it can improve your relationship and take the toxicity out of your fights.

With love from, GetLusty

This is a post from Crimson Love.

Crimson is our resident BDSM fetish expert. If you don't see Crimson out dining with her adoring boyfriend, you'll find her reading books on innovation or finance. Crimson is currently finishing off her Bachelor's, she is passionate about food, photography, music and especially sex--and she's not afraid to talk about it. With everyone!

Have story ideas? Get in touch with Crimson Love at amber@getlusty.com.

Jumat, 21 September 2012

3 Ways Saying "No" Can Improve Your Love Life

Is it hard for you to say "no" to people around you? Do you feel selfish when you take time for yourself? Do you ever spread yourself too thin by saying "yes" to everything? Saying "no" more in your life is a great tool that we need to cultivate.

Not only does saying "no" improve your confidence and self-love, but also your relationships with those around you. We have already written about how to love yourself more and ways to practice that self-love. But how can we augment our self-love and become more confident? One word: No.

Here are some reasons why saying "no" can ultimately improve your relationship. Our Lora Swarts reports.

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#1 Reduces resentment

When you try and do too much and spread yourself too thin, resentment can build in your relationship.

You may start to feel resentful toward your partner diminishing the quality of your relationship. Instead of spreading yourself too thin with work or acquaintances, make an effort to schedule alone time.

Make yourself a priority and schedule that manicure or massage rather than going out for happy hour drinks. When you make time for yourself rather than trying to make everyone else happy, your confidence will build. Loving yourself results in being able to love someone else that much more.

#2 Eliminates dependency

When you say "yes" all the time and never put your foot down, your partner may begin to depend on you. When you do everything, whether its picking up your guy's dry-cleaning or walking your friend's dog, people will start to depend on you for everything.

Learn to say "no" more to doing things for others so that they don't lean on you for everything. When you filter out what you can and cannot do for others, you bring more balance into your life and start setting boundaries for yourself. Instead of picking up the dry-cleaning, making dinner and walking your neighbor's dog after a long day at work, skip it! Go to that yoga class or head over to that book club meeting! It's time to start prioritizing yourself and setting those boundaries!

#3 Limits stress

Stress is something that no woman wants in her life. Ironically, even seeing the word stresses me out. Stress can bring about wrinkles, anxiety, sleeplessness and depression.

Why put yourself and your loved ones through all of that? By learning when to say "no" you are preventing yourself from stressing out. It also seems that stress follows you home no matter what. So save yourself and your love life by stopping stress in its tracks! Try and resist from doing more than you can handle and welcome more balance in your life.

Remember, saying "no" never hurt anyone's feelings. On the contrary, it can help your relationship grow!


Lora is the GetLusty Editorial Intern and resident health nut.

When she is not writing, you can find her on her yoga mat, spending too much money on soy lattes or hanging out with her wonderful boyfriend in their north side apartment. You can find her on Twitter @honeynutlo or writing over at her personal blog, Honey Nut Lo.

Have any questions about our editorial content? Contact her at Lora@GetLusty.com.