Hey everyone! I'm a bit behind so I'll answer both -   I like my eyes :) I find it much easier to talk about things that I don't like rather than things I do...    Body Image: Body image is how we think our bodies 'should' be, or even how we see ourselves. I used to have quite a negative body image but I've learnt to love me for me :) There are some things I can't change - which I need to learn to love, and then there's others that I can change - and if I don't make the effort to change them (ie I'm not fat but I am a little bit overweight - it's not enough to go on strict/drastic diets or anything but enough that I notice it.. So if I want to change it I can)... The last few weeks I've grown more conscious about it as my usual sport is a winter sport and since finishing my physical activity has drastically dropped. So 2 weeks ago myself and a friend set ourselves the challenge of getting fit before Christmas (which in turn will help me lose those few kilos)... But all in all I am happy with my body and the way I look. :) ... View more

Do you currently do these things? What barriers do you think stand in the way of you doing them? I don't always find the time to do these things. It's hard because all the things that keep me busy are things that I want to do because they make me happy, they help others, and I just like being busy in general. The hardest thing is knowing when to say 'no' to people, and understanding that it is okay to say no. That's what I'm trying to work on at the moment.       ... View more

I find I'll push on - things generally tend to get busier & busier and I let myself get more tired, worn out which can then backfire and I end up getting upset about things that aren't all that important, being stressed about things and getting frustrated with myself, friends and family.   I have found that in the last 2-3 months life's been constantly busy, rarely have a weekend at home, or more than an hour to just sit at home of an afternoon/night and relax. So pretty much my "Me Time" comes when I am about to go to bed, I unwind by checking facebook, maybe read a bit (light, non-fiction, non-study-related) - but then this usually means I'm up a bit later - but if I didn't spend half hour or so doing this then I'd probably struggle to get to sleep straight away anyway...   I also try to plan ahead so that I know when things are going to start getting less busy... And already I know that in a weeks time I will have less meetings, less stress etc.... and by the end of November I'll be nice & relaxed - ready for the silly season (Christmas!)... :D ... View more

@_sagira_ wrote: @fosterthepeople wrote: @_sagira_ wrote: OH HELL YEAH!!  That does freak me out.  Sometimes I feel better off not having to worry about it.  Also the imminant PAP SMEAR.  Yeah I'd like to go as long as I can without that. what's a pap smear ?   if i need to go get tested for my sexual health where would i go to get that done ? don't think i've ever heard of a sex clinic before anywhere. do people just go to their local doctor for that ? cause i'd prefer it if it were a sexual health clinic kind of thing so at least i'm not alone in a sense Pap smear is an annual check of your cervix to test for infections etc and cervical cancer.  They advise that two years post having sex you see your GP every year for one.  The insert a gadget called a speculum into your vagina and have a good LOOK and get a swab.  Fun times.  Yeah you pretty much just go to your GP or you could see a gynecologist.   I had my first one earlier this year (just with my GP because there's no sex clinic in my town or nearby that I know of) - was VERY nervous and a little bit embarassed (not that I thought anything was wrong but more that someone other than myself or my bf would see me...) when I first booked it in but that soon disappeared and I don't know how but I was able to relax and it all went well... I think I worked myself up into thinking it was a much bigger deal than what it was, so when it actually happened I realised how silly I was for over reacting... :)   ... View more

Before I'd lost my virginity: Fears were not being good enough, would it hurt, would he just be using me, what would happen afterwards - alot of self doubt and questioning, pregnancy, STDs etc etc....   After: I would still be scared about not being good enough, I worry about what I look like - and what he thinks about how I look... ... View more

@fosterthepeople wrote: @nik-nak92 wrote: Oh, just thought of another 'pressure' too... I have been listening to music for the last hour or so, just had my iPod on shuffle - and I think almost every 2nd or 3rd song has sexual references (maybe it just means I need new songs!! lol)... Is it really that hard for artists to find other things to sing about?? totally get what you mean. it's a little sad that sex sells so well. do you think it might be helping the younger generation be more comfortable with the idea of sexuality and sex though ? it's not always accurate though. i think it does both. it helps the younger generation be more free yet at the same time it's not the whole or best message You could be right there... I guess it would help younger people feel more comfortable about sex - maybe there should be some educational sex songs on the top hits charts lol...   ... View more

Oh, just thought of another 'pressure' too... I have been listening to music for the last hour or so, just had my iPod on shuffle - and I think almost every 2nd or 3rd song has sexual references (maybe it just means I need new songs!! lol)... Is it really that hard for artists to find other things to sing about?? ... View more

From whom or what have you learned the most about sex ? Got 'the birds & the bees talk' from Mum, but let's be honest - has that ever helped anyone? Biggest source would probably be movies/media, more recently friends (as I've been more comfortable talking to friends about it), and then probably internet. ... View more

@EmilyJ wrote: I think the risk of treating sex casually depends on the individual... and it's good you're being cautious about it! Personally I lost my virginity when I was 16, and I don't regret it - I have learnt from the experience and wouldn't be where I am today if I'd made different choices. When I broke up with the boyfriend I lost my virginity to (after a 3 year relationship), I didn't have sex with any subsequent boyfriends until last year at the age of 21. Just because you're no longer a virgin, and because you're in a relationship, doesn't automatically mean you have to have sex. I think there's value to the concept of having a virginity with each new partner - the decision isn't to be made lightly, and the same things should be considered as you would before having sex for the very first time.   I agree completely with EmilyJ, and have had a similar story. I lost my virginity when I was 18, wasn't in a relationship at the time but soon after we started dating and were in a relationship for 2 years. We broke up earlier this year and I obviously I know that I can't change the past (have no regrets, like EmilyJ the choices I made have got me to where I am now) but I feel that I can start over fresh. I'm not planning on having sex with every new relationship that comes along, and I definitely don't feel that just because I've lost my virginity that sex doesn't matter - it's still just as important as it was before.   ... View more

Is having sex for the first time a big deal, or just like other firsts, like driving or voting? I think it is a big deal. Or maybe to put it in different words, it should be important. I always planned on remaining a virgin until I was married, but I let myself get talked into accepting that it was okay, and I was in a relationship with the person and thought that he would be the one that I would marry anyway - so in my mind, he was going to be the only one. I think it seems like it is getting less and less important... :-/ ... View more

Hey sorry, hope it's okay to answer the first ones....   Do you think sex is a difficult topic for people to talk openly about? If so why? For me it was very difficult - but over the last 2 years it has gotten easier. I also find it hardest to talk to parents/family about it - but at the same time I can't lie, so if anyone ever asks me anything I pretty much always answer them truthfully... I guess that's how it's gotten easier for me over the last 2 years - because I've been pretty open about it from the start I am gradually getting more and more comfortable with talking to my family and friends about it. In saying that, if I'm ever worried about anything I'll only ever talk to my sister (best friend) about it. I think it's difficult to talk about because it is generally considered wrong to have sex at a young age - I tend to agree with this, a person should be mature before entering into a sexual relationship because often kids can be too young to understand the implications - not just the physical (pregnancy, STDs/STIs etc) but also the mental effects.   What are the best reasons to have sex? Pretty much agree with the other comments - being in a loving relationship, its all about expressing your love for the other person.   What are the worst reasons? Trying to fit in with a certain crowd or stereotype, or having sex because you think it's cool - or that it makes you seem cool to other people. One reason I have heard recently from a group of young males is to get their numbers up.... :( This is (in my opinion) the very worst reason I have ever heard.   ... View more