“Be prepared” may be the Boy Scout’s famous motto, but when it comes to sex, it can come in handy. If it’s possible sex might be on the menu in the near future, being ready for most situations can be just an arm’s reach away. How? With a perfectly pre-stocked, convenient, portable intimacy ‘go-bag’ at the ready.

If you’re like me and didn’t get a whole lot of sex education while growing up, you’re not alone. Most people relied on their friends, schoolyard whispers, porn, and the internet to learn all about sex. While some information may be true, a lot is not. Being able to tell what is a fact and what is fiction makes a big difference when it comes to harm reduction, pleasure, and even pregnancy. I’m about to bust three of the myths you might have heard the most about.

Anal sex isn’t an obligation, a given or a last-minute idea to throw into the mix mid-sex. It’s crucial that before you have anal, that you talk to your partner and make certain you are both an enthusiastic “yes” to trying it. Slipping in a penis, dildo, finger or plug, in a butt without asking permission, is not only a violation, but it’s a surefire way to injure your partner. In addition, making certain you two are on the same page about how you will go about it is part of the process and will go a long way in building trust and easing anxiety. So keep this in mind … without getting consent first, there’s no anal sex … period.

You are in charge of your own body. Some people love to tell you what to do with your body. From the Pro-Lifers to the “wellness industry” to the over-zealous gym rats. Don’t listen to them. Stick your fingers in your ears. Turn a blind eye. You are the captain of your own ship, meaning you have a choice whether to take in their comments, or whether to ignore them completely. The fact of the matter is you never need someone dictating to you how getting in shape is good for your health or that losing weight will make your life all bright and shiny like a pearl. If you find yourself thinking about your body negatively this time of year (or any time of year actually), remember to be kind to yourself. The new year brings out a lot of triggering conversations and messaging from friends and family. Maybe your cousin Clea can't stop talking about her New Year's cleanse she's got going on, and your Uncle Marty tells everyone and their mother that he has just joined the Peloton revolution. It doesn't matter. You can be happy for them AND happy for yourself that you just saved money on fancy juices and a hunk of metal. Who you are, and how you live your life is your decision and if you're happy, fuck 'em. Even if you're not happy ... you get to choose, in the privacy of your own mind, what will make you happy, and follow that feeling.

Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.