How do people tell if they have unhealthy or excessively strict sexual limits when it comes to long-term relationships? This is a difficult question to answer because there are many factors that can influence one's views on sex, sexuality, intimacy, and relationships.
There are some basic guidelines that can be helpful in understanding where your own personal boundaries lie.
Consider what you value most about yourself and your partner in a relationship. What do you need from them emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially? How much time do you want to spend together each week, month, year, etc.? How often do you like to communicate with them throughout the day? How do you feel when they touch you, kiss you, hold you, sleep next to you, talk to you, laugh with you, listen to you, play with you, or engage in other forms of physical contact? These are all important questions to ask yourself as you determine whether or not your relationship is healthy or restrictive.
Consider how you feel about sex itself. Do you enjoy it, are you afraid of it, do you find it boring, do you find it exciting? Are you comfortable talking about it openly and honestly? If so, then having more frequent or varied sexual activity may be something that helps deepen your bond with your partner and make the relationship stronger. On the other hand, if you are extremely conservative or shy around sexual matters, then perhaps it would be best to stick to certain rules or routines that keep things simple and predictable.
Take into account any past experiences that have influenced your viewpoints regarding sex, sexuality, eroticism, intimacy, and relationships. Have you ever had traumatic experiences related to these topics? Have you been abused in some way before? Have you experienced sexual assault? If so, this could lead you to feel anxious or uneasy about entering a new relationship where similar behaviors might occur again. Conversely, if you've always felt safe and secure within such boundaries, then maybe less restriction would suit you better than excessively strict ones would.
Only you can decide what works for you personally based on your unique circumstances. There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to navigating long-term relational expectations; however, understanding your own limitations and preferences will go a long way towards helping guide those decisions.
How do individuals distinguish between healthy sexual boundaries and restrictive sexual avoidance when navigating long-term relational expectations?
One way that individuals can distinguish between healthy sexual boundaries and restrictive sexual avoidance is by considering their communication with their partner about sex and intimacy. It is important for both partners to be able to express their needs, desires, and limits openly and honestly without fear of judgment or retribution. Additionally, individuals may consider seeking professional counseling or advice from trusted friends or family members who have experience in managing similar situations.