I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve searched ‘how to feel sexy and confident in the bedroom’ because many of my body-image insecurities related to my sexuality. I was always trying to be sexy for guys, but not too sexy because I was afraid that girls would judge me.

Now, I seek to feel sexy, confident and empowered for ME, not for anyone else. Before I share with you how to feel sexy and confident, I want to tell you how body-image struggles relate to sexuality. Here’s my personal experience…

Growing up, I was always ashamed of my body. And not just because I disliked my body, but because I internalized how others reacted to it. Since I hit puberty at age 11, I got the hungry stares, suggestive comments, and vulgar cat-calls from men, as well as the envious glares, critical remarks, and genuine compliments from women.

Some of the attention was flattering, while most of it made me feel unsafe and uncomfortable in my own skin. But every objectified act of that sort caused me to view my body through the lens of someone else rather than through my own.

It caused me to judge my body based on how others SEE it, instead of how I FEEL it.

When I was competing back in 2015, I dated someone who was also big into bodybuilding. We vibed about fitness, but otherwise the relationship was emotionally abusive, manipulative and F’ed up.

That year, I competed in my second bikini show and gained about 20lbs shortly afterwards, something that is relatively “normal” in the industry (even though it’s the unhealthy rebound effect of dehydration, starvation and post-show binge eating). But I, of course, felt like a complete failure for not keeping my “bikini body” after the competition and emotionally, I was a mess. ?

One night, this person looked at me as we were getting intimate and said, “I’m so glad you’re not skinny anymore. I don’t like f*cking skinny girls.”

My whole world came crashing down.

Suddenly my entire IDENTITY was questioned because:

(a) someone called me “not skinny” which made me feel like I was worthless, pathetic, lazy, failure, ugly, etc. since all my efforts were being used to be skinny!

(b) I tortured myself to be thin and all my efforts were a waste?!??

All I could think in my head was “WTF, WTF, WTF” on repeat.

I was so self-conscious getting naked in general and then this made everything worse. I didn’t know what to think or how to feel about it. I was always looking for approval from men (even though I’d never admit it). The sad thing was, because I was always searching for approval from men, I never had time to give it to myself.

It took me so much time to process this, but the main thing I learned about how to feel sexy is that your body is created for YOU.

It’s not for pleasing men (or women).

It’s not for being liked on an Instagram picture.

It’s not for society’s approval.

YOUR body is YOUR home.

So don’t give it away to f *ckboys, to diet culture or to ANYONE who questions your intrinsic beauty. ” 

Ok now that we got out of the way, one more thing before I give you the 8 body confidence tips!

I made you a FREEEE self-love checklist that includes daily habits to help you embrace your body and love yourself unconditionally.

It also has a self-love playlist I made for you! Just enter your info below and I’ll send it to you 🙂

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If you’ve been struggling with feeling self-conscious during intimate moments, read on for my tips on how to feel sexy and body confident in the bedroom…

 

1. How to feel sexy prerequisite: make sure you’re SAFE and comfortable with the person you’re with.

First, and this is probably the most important one, make sure that whoever you’re getting intimate with is making you feel SAFE and COMFORTABLE. Although I’m a feminist who believes that women can have sex with whoever they whenever they want just like men can (contrary to what society has told us), I think that sex feels better for everyone when you’re truly connected to the person.

If we’re having sex just for the sake of having sex or proving something to someone or worse, if we’re just afraid to say NO, our self-esteem will tank because we feel like we’re being used. Doing it for someone else and/or doing something we don’t really want to do is the first big NO if you want to feel sexy and confident in the bedroom.

Side note: all of these tips can still apply to casual hookups and one night stands if that’s your thing. Sound good? Great!

 

2. Communicate what you do and do not like.

Next, don’t be afraid to communicate with your partner. Communication can make or break your confidence in an intimate situation. Tell your partner what you like and also what you don’t like. Follow up with asking them what they do/do not like so it’s a two-sided effort. And make sure you’re listening to your partner as well. The more you both communicate, the better it will be for both of you and the more confident you’ll feel. Pretty sexy, right?

 

3. Remember: your partner is in the same bed (get it? bed instead of boat lol!).

Thirdly, remember that your partner is human and has insecurities too. Chances are, they’re probably also googling ‘how to feel sexy and confident in the bedroom.’ This is another reason why communication is so important. The more you communicate to them about your wants, needs aaaaand insecurities, the more you’ll give them permission to do the same. You will set the tone for a safe and comfortable sexual relationship making you BOTH feel more open and therefore, sexy and confident in the bedroom.

 

4. How to feel sexy 101: be more open about sex!

Don’t’ feel like you have to hide or be silent when it comes to the topic of sex. Talk about your sexual experiences with your partner and/or friends (but only those you feel safe around). Make sure sex isn’t the “forbidden fruit” or a taboo topic. Shame is the only thing that doesn’t belong in the bedroom; most all other fantasies, fetishes or curiosities should be explored when you feel safe and comfortable with someone.

If you want to know how to feel sexy in the bedroom, ask yourself what makes YOU feel sexy. Not Sally or Jane or the editor of Cosmo magazine, but YOU.

Two great books that’ll help you explore your sexuality are Come As You Are by Emioly Nagoski, PhD and Pussy: A Reclamation by Regina Thomashauer. Highly recommend!

The only way you’ll start feeling sexy and confident in the bedroom is if you become more open about sex and start exploring your sexual needs, wants and desires.

5. Set the sexy mood.

Make sure you do something to transition yourself into your “sensual nature.” Often we go about our lives and we forget to switch roles intentionally which is why we end up bringing our stresses, insecurities and anxieties into the bedroom.

Do something to get yourself in the mood like read a pleasurable book (whether that’s erotica or not), take a bath, get in your favorite P.J.’s/ lingerie, light a candle, put lotion on yourself, etc. Anything to get you in a calm, relaxed state. The more relaxed you are, and the more you’ve let go of the stresses of the day, the more you can confidently enjoy that time with your partner.

6. Use eye contact!

OMG this is seriously so important. Sometimes we don’t look someone in the eyes because we’re too scared to be vulnerable. Trust me, your partner is also feeling vulnerable. I mean, how can you not feel vulnerable when you’re in an intimate situation? But there is seriously nothing sexier or more emotionally-connecting than looking in your partner’s eyes as you’re getting intimate.

Also, eye contact makes non-verbal communication easier because you can detect subtle changes in their facial expression when they’re enjoying themselves. I don’t know about you, but when I see my partner feeling good, I feel pretty damn sexy and it instantly gives me a boost of confidence.

 

7. Don’t Worry About “Mistakes”- there are none!

There is no messing up in sex. Sex is supposed to be imperfect! You’re two real, imperfect human beings, not actors in a film. Hollywood and porn make everything look perfect: hair and makeup done to perfection, sexy lingerie courtesy of the costume department, perfect lighting, everything perfectly staged and choreographed, THAT’S NOT REAL!!! And if that was real it would be really freakin’ boring!

It’s those little moments of imperfection that make that time together so special. Fumbling with the hook on your bra, accidentally bumping your heads together, cracking a joke and spending 5 minutes laughing hysterically…you don’t see these things in the movies but they’re what makes that time special between the two of you because it’s unique to your relationship. And that’s sexy AF.

 

8. Fake it till you make it!

Okay now people go back and forth on this ‘fake it’ concept but I think it can be a great tool because it forces you to BE the sex panther you want to be. Then, you realize that it’s actually quite fun being a sexy panther and then your partner gets turned on by it and then you like that all which creates a positive feedback loop!

Now obviously I’m not talking about faking enjoyment, that’s a totally different thing and not positive at all. What I am saying is take your usual insecurities and fears and turn them around, pretend to be the type of person that isn’t insecure or fearful about those things. Pretend that you feel super sexy and confident. Get some new lingerie or perfume, switch up your usual environment to make you feel more empowered (even and especially if that’s not how you typically feel).

As your partner starts responding to you, you’ll start to feel more sexy, confident and empowered in the bedroom.

 

Remember, you have the right to feel sexy, confident, and proud, and no one gets to take that away from you.

I hope this post has helped give you some practical tips on how to feel sexy and confident during intimate moments with your partner. If it did, share it with a friend so we can embark on this confidence and self-love journey together!

And if you want to deepen your body confidence journey, enter your info below to get a FREEEEE self-love checklist!