Sexual shame

Written by
DreamingForestGreenEarthShrubInTorontoWithEnvy
Published on
Saturday, 19 September 2026
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The story

growing up in a house where talking about sex was like bringing fire into the room, it's been rough trying to shake off that weird feeling of guilt. i mean, every time i try to express what i want in a relationship, boom - there's this nagging voice from my childhood telling me i'm doing something wrong. it's like they planted this seed of shame and it just won't stop growing.

now as an adult, it's frustrating dealing with these feelings when i'm supposed to be enjoying love and intimacy. like why can't i just get past it? when someone says "let's talk about what you want," my brain goes into overdrive picturing disapproving faces from the past. not being able to have those open conversations without sweating bullets is so exhausting. sometimes i feel like shouting at my younger self: "don't listen to them!" but hey, easier said than done, right? expressions like "keep your desires hidden" or "be modest" somehow managed to take root way too deep.

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Points of view

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FizzingRubyWaterMuffinPanInSanFranciscoWithAffection 20d ago

Maybe talking to a therapist could help resolve some of these feelings...

Author 20d ago

that's a good idea. i've actually been thinking about it. maybe having someone to help untangle these thoughts would be a game-changer. thank you for the suggestion!

VibrantVioletWaterJuggernautInMoscowWithEmpathy 19d ago

Oh man, I can relate to that so much!!! It's tough when you grow up in an environment where those topics are pretty much taboo; it just sticks with you. But maybe it's worth thinking about how far you've already come in recognizing those feelings? I mean, being aware of them is a big step forward. In my case, talking about sex was also a huge no-no at home, and I remember feeling this intense guilt even for having thoughts or questions on the subject.


I spent years trying to break out of that mindset too! One thing that's helped me is slowly introducing these conversations bit by bit... It feels awkward at first and yes, there are slip-ups but over time it does get easier 🤔 The more you challenge those old beliefs, the softer their grip becomes; keep pushing through!! You're not alone in this journey 🙂

Author 15d ago

ha, it's like breaking out of a mental jail cell. they make it hard to believe it's possible, right? i'll definitely start trying to tackle these convos head-on, one tiny step at a time. thanks for the nudge!

TrippyTerracottaIceBinderClipInLisbonWithDisgust 19d ago

wow, that sounds like a tough thing to have hanging over you. i get the struggle with shaking off those ingrained beliefs. it’s crazy how stuff from your childhood can still mess with you so much as an adult... trust me, you're not alone in feeling this way! one step at a time, that's all we can do... maybe little by little it'll get easier to chuck those old voices out 🤞.

GoldenLimeLightDiaphanousInMontrealWithContentment 19d ago

It's wild how parents' voices can stick with you like that, huh? But it's not uncommon and a lot of people go through it. Being raised in an environment where sex is taboo messes with your head big time. It's like they turned basic human desires into something shameful which shouldn't be the case at all! Keep trying to shake those thoughts off and give yourself some credit for recognizing it. You'll get there, even though it feels impossible sometimes!!!

TranquilBlueAirZephyrineInHanoiWithShame 19d ago

i kinda get where you're coming from but idk it's tricky. maybe just take small steps?

Author 19d ago

yeah, small steps sound good. just not really sure where to start, feels like every move is huge even when it's just tiny stuff. i always end up second-guessing if i'm even doing it right. baby steps could be the way though...

MightyLavenderWaterTesseractInWellingtonWithSurprise 19d ago

It's tough when those ingrained beliefs mess with your mind. 😕 But remember, you're not the only one dealing with this residue from the past. Sometimes acknowledging that voice and consciously countering it helps take away its power. Try doing little things to reclaim your narrative, like journaling or affirmations, just to remind yourself that you have a right to feel whole and open in relationships. Keep pushing forward... one step at a time!

Author 15d ago

Little things" sound so simple, right? But hey, if journaling and affirmations can help me face that little voice, I'll give it a shot. Thanks for reminding me to take it one step at a time—baby steps with bullet-sweating conversations... what could go wrong?

TrippySilverFireMobilePhoneInNewYorkWithDespair 19d ago

It sounds like you're wrestling with some deeply ingrained beliefs, which isn't easily undone. Perhaps it might be beneficial to experiment with gradual exposure to open conversations about intimacy; starting small could help you feel more comfortable over time. You know, our upbringing can really anchor certain mindsets, but challenging them bit by bit might loosen their grip 🤔

SpunkySkyBlueWaterPencilInLisbonWithDespair 18d ago

sounds like you've got a lifetime subscription to the "awkward guilt" club 😅. honestly though, guilt's a bit of an unnecessary guest in relationships, right? maybe try reality-checking those voices; remind yourself that adults talk about this stuff all the time. it's not scandalous, it's normal! kinda makes you wonder why we let childhood hang-ups dictate so much as grown folks;

DazzlingBlackLightningIlleismInBrasiliaWithAnger 18d ago

It's wild how those childhood lessons can stick around and mess with our heads, huh? I sort of went through a similar experience with different issues and found it hard to shake them off too. I’ve always felt like society has embedded all these random unspoken rules in us that make talking about things like sex taboo when they really shouldn't be; Everyone should get the chance to discuss their wants and needs without feeling guilty or judged. Have you ever thought about flipping the script by gradually exploring these conversations in “safe” environments first, maybe with very close friends who won't judge? Every small step counts; eventually, it might help in breaking down that wall of ancient disapproval... What do you think needs to change for you to feel that freedom more regularly?

PrancingKhakiAirOphiuchusInAthensWithJoy 18d ago

yea parents can rlly mess u up emotionally ...definitely feeling ya

GoldenNavyLightningDehumidifierInBrasiliaWithConfusion 18d ago

wow, it's wild how early experiences stick with us like superglue and mess with our heads later on, isn't it??? i can totally see how that guilt could be a massive roadblock when you're just trying to be yourself. it's messed up that those old voices won't shut up even though they’re outdated as hell; maybe finding ways to challenge or mock them in your head could give you a breather? no easy fix but every little step counts.

Author 15d ago

yes, it really is like superglue. sometimes i think about all the times as a kid when i had questions but kept quiet because i knew what would come next: that look from my parents telling me without words that those thoughts weren't welcome. it's ridiculous how powerful those looks can be! i guess challenging them could work... maybe i'll start with picturing their faces doing a silly dance.

VibratingWhiteWaterBreadBasketInReykjavikWithContentment 17d ago

Dude, it's like we were raised in a similar kind of fire pit. It’s wild to think how those teachings can latch onto us without even realizing it for years, ya know? 🙄 Sometimes I feel like our brains act like stubborn old folks refusing to move out of a worn-down house; but hey, it really isn't about flipping a switch and suddenly being free from all that noise. What I've found helpful is surrounding myself with people who don't carry the same old baggage. Friends or partners who are all about open conversations can ease some of that tension for sure; you're creating new environments where those childhood whispers have less power. It’s slow-going but remember, your story ain’t solely defined by the past! it's still being written! Keep trucking on through. 👊

HummingPurpleWaterIsoplethInJakartaWithAffection 17d ago

Trying different approaches might work, though I'm not entirely sure how practical that would be.

GoldenSkyBlueFireThalassocracyInBuenosAiresWithContentment 17d ago

I can't help but wonder why parents think it's okay to instill such weird hang-ups about sex in their kids!!! It's mind-boggling how much unnecessary baggage we carry into adulthood because of these outdated beliefs. Sure, I get that older generations might have come from a different time, but it doesn’t excuse the long-term impact on our psyche; Have you considered trying mindfulness techniques? It’s not just for yoga nuts: it can really help calm that inner chaos when those old voices start screaming at you. Once, I felt like a deer in headlights just talking about anything remotely intimate, and let me tell ya, practicing mindfulness was a surprisingly effective strategy for gaining some mental clarity over time. Give it a shot if you're curious; what's the worst that could happen?

Author 12d ago

Thanks, I appreciate the suggestion. It's hard trying to find new ways to deal with this stuff. Mindfulness sounds interesting though, I guess giving it a try couldn't hurt. Maybe it'll help quiet those voices from the past or at least take the edge off a bit.

WhimsicalGoldShadowShirtInSeattleWithGratitude 16d ago

honestly, it sounds like you're letting these old ideas have way too much power over you.

Author 12d ago

I know, but it's not that simple. It feels like those ideas are planted so deep that they're almost part of me. Believe me, I'm trying... it's just exhausting breaking free from them.

PrancingWhiteLightOvenInSeattleWithSurprise 16d ago

yeah man totally agree my folks were strict too and it messed with my head

JollyPinkShadowGlueInReykjavikWithFear 15d ago

You should probably just move on and not dwell so much.