With winter right around the corner, obtaining sexual pleasure is definitely on the to-do list for a lot of people. Let’s be honest, cuddle season is marked down on many calendar’s. However, there are people that don’t partake in cuddle season year round. It appears that not getting any can be just as fun and rewarding as getting some.

I’ll admit to my deep desire to be celibate. It’s the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that I’ve always been close to, but never got the cigar. There’s about two to three times per year that I make the “I’m celibate” announcement to my friends. Needless to say, they know just as well as I do, that my announcement is just that; an announcement.

Despite wanting to lock down my woman goods for the sake of self-awareness, a broken heart and the rapid growth of the STD library, being celibate for at least a year hasn’t worked for me yet.

For many the questions start to buzz around their heads like flies.Where will the pleasure come from? How will this look to potential mates? Having sex isn’t the be all and end all of your sex life. Celibacy is an opportunity to get to know yourself physically, mentally and emotionally.

Although I’m guilty of being a wishy-washy celibate, spurts of sexual abstinence have allowed me the space and time to examine what satisfies me as a woman.

Essence.com knows that many women ponder that self-commitment more than once in a lifetime. They explore 5 Benefits of Celibacy quite well. They are more so geared towards women, but men can relate as well.

Essence.com’s 5 Benefits of Celibacy

• A clear head.
• A better understanding of what you want in a man/woman.
• Appreciation for your body.
• A deeper level of self love.
• A healthy zest for sex.

If you come to a point in life where you feel as though celibacy is the best way to go for a year or two or three, don’t be ashamed or scared. It takes two to tango, but a solo act is always a show stopper.

To read the article in full, click here.