My first time was a mess!
It was worse than taking my SAT, and I forgot my name on that test. I had no idea what I was doing, and it was not like what people claimed it would be. Sadly, no matter how "romantic" my friend tried to be at the time, I was over the idea of sex pretty quickly at that moment.
Luckily, sex got better, but that's because I finally figured out what I was doing and what I actually liked. If I had known then what I know now about sex, I would have looked at my first time a lot differently. Of course, no one expects to be a "pro" on their first go-around, and my friends' advice didn't teach me anything valuable I could actually use that night in the bedroom. Also, if you were unlucky like me and had your gym teacher run your sex-ed course, then you would understand why I wish I learned more. He spent our days in class comparing STIs to desserts. YUMMY.
Before I had sex, I never thought about my wants, sexual curiosity, foreplay, etc., and I wish I did. So, here are nine things I wish I knew before I had sex.
Set Low Expectations for Your First Time
Listen, it doesn't matter if your partner pulls out all the stops - candles, your favorite playlist, etc. - set low expectations for your first time. Your first time will be uncomfortable for two reasons: the pain from your hymen stretching and the fact that you have no clue what you are doing. Assuming you and your partner are each other's "first," it will only last for so long. And do not be upset if it is not "life-changing" or "magical" as movies depict.
Learn How to Pleasure Yourself
Ladies, please learn how to pleasure yourself. One, how can you expect to pleasure someone else if you don't know how to pleasure yourself? Two, we, as women, are often taught that pleasuring our man is all that matters in the bedroom. WRONG! Pleasure should be mutual. And if once you learn what works for you, you can properly communicate it to your partner.
Communication is the Bedrock of Good Sex
This lesson does not apply to just your first time; it is for all sexually active women. Sexual satisfaction often hinges on communication. Sometimes, women don't feel comfortable expressing their desires, boundaries, and preferences openly. But doing this can lead to a more fulfilling and enjoyable sexual experience.
FOREPLAY, FOREPLAY, FOREPLAY
Foreplay is important and often overlooked in the bedroom for some reason. I understand; sometimes, you want to get straight to it. However, foreplay sets a mood.
A more straightforward way to think of it is to think of women as your car in the winter. We warm our cars up before heading to work during the colder months to defrost the windshield, heat the interior for a more comfortable drive, and lubricate the engine. WARM UP!
You're Not a 'Slut' If You Enjoy Sex
Heavy on this lesson! The number of times I have heard a woman called a 'slut' because she likes sex is ridiculous. If you like sex, then you like sex and should not be shamed for it because why? NUMBERS DO NOT MATTER! It does not matter if you have had ten or 50 partners. You are still valuable and do not have to explain your count to anyone. As long as you know your status and communicate it with your partner, then you're fine.
Sex Is Not Going to Be Everyone's 'Jam'
Everyone isn't going to like sex, and that is OK. If you find yourself in the category of women who do not enjoy it, just like in the last lesson, someone should not shame you for it. In a sexually liberated era, some may feel like outsiders since they do not enjoy the act of sex like others. But there isn't anything wrong with different preferences. Do what works for you. If having sex only occasionally works for you, then that is what matters. And your partner should respect it.
Know Your Status
This lesson is pretty self-explanatory. KNOW YOUR STATUS. Don't be ashamed to get tested and discuss your status with your partner. Or to ask them about their status. There's a chance they may not disclose that information, but no response should be enough of a response. A rule I have always kept with me is, "If we cannot discuss status, then we do not need to have sex." But discussion or no discussion, no one is responsible for you getting tested but you.
Pee After Having Sex
Peeing after sex is beneficial for women. It helps flush the bacteria out of our bodies, which may help prevent a urinary tract infection (UTI) from developing. According to Medical News Today, women are 30 times more likely to get a UTI than males because we have shorter urethras, and ours is close to our vagina and anus. Therefore, peeing can push bacteria away from our urethra.
Although there isn't solid evidence, there's no harm in trying.
You Will Never Stop Learning About Sex
No matter how many times you have had sex, you will never stop learning about it. If you remember, earlier, sex-ed didn't teach me anything useful. Sadly, it was worse if you were a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. LGBTQIA+ sexual relationship portrayals were non-existent until recently, especially in sex-ed in the 2000s. You are constantly changing, as are your needs and wants in the bedroom. So, what you were into then may not work for you now. Or your sexual orientation might have entirely changed since your first time. Read books, ask questions, and communicate with your partner.
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
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Colman Domingo’s Career Advice Is A Reminder That Our Words Shape Our Reality
When it comes to life, we are always here for a good reminder to shift our mindsets, and Colman Domingo just gave us one we didn't know we needed.
In a resurfaced clip from an appearance at NewFest shared as a repost via Micheaux Film Festival, the Emmy award winner dropped a gem on how he has navigated his decades-spanning career in Hollywood. The gem in question? Well, Colman has never identified with "struggle" in his career. Let that sit.
Colman Domingo On Not Claiming Struggle
"I’ve never said that this career was tough. I’ve never said it was difficult. I’ve never said it was hard," Colman said. "Other people would say that—‘oh, you're in a very difficult industry. It's very hard to get work and book work.’ I’m like, I’ve never believed that."
Instead of allowing himself to be defined by other people's projections about their perceptions of what the industry is or was, Colman dared to believe differently even if his reality was playing catch up with his dreams:
"Like Maya Angelou said words are things. And if you believe that, then that's actually what it is. Actually I've just never believed it. Someone told me some years ago, they said, 'I remember you were, you're a struggling actor.' I'm like, 'I don't.'"
"I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living..."
He continued:
"Even when I was bartending and hustling and not having opportunities or anything, I never believed that I was struggling because I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living and creating and being curious."
Colman’s philosophy of attaching to living instead of struggle has blossomed into an enduring career. He first made his mark on stage in acclaimed Broadway productions before transitioning to the screen, where his star began to rise in the 2010s following his role as Victor Strand in Fear The Walking Dead. From there, his presence only grew, landing memorable supporting roles in If Beale Street Could Talk, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and the hit series Euphoria.
In more recent years, Colman has stepped fully into the spotlight with standout leading performances in Rustin and Sing Sing, both of which earned him widespread critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations for Best Actor.
With all that said, Colman's advice is no doubt powerful, especially for those who are chasing their dreams, building something from the ground up, or have question marks about what's next in their careers. Words shape our realities, and how we speak about our journeys even in passing matters.
Words Create Our Reality & Colman Is Living Proof
"I tell young people that. To remember the words that you say about yourself and your career are true. So, I choose to make it full of light and love and it's interesting and every day I'm going to learn something new even if it looks like I don't have what I want but it's important to be in the moment... you really build on the moments moment to moment.
"And you're looking back at your career as I've been in it for what 33 years and you're like, 'Wow, that's what I've been doing.' And I've stayed strong to that so I think that is truly my advice."
Let this be your sign to give your path a reframe. When the path you're on feels uncertain, the journey is still unfolding. Like Colman said: "I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living."
That's a Black king right there.
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