Myne Whitman: Abstinence is not easy, I tell you (Y! Superblogger)

Abstinence is not what nature planned for a healthy human body.

“What is not easy?” you ask. Abstaining from sex is not easy, my friend. When you have no one you love or care for, you convince yourself sex doesn’t really matter. It’s no big deal, you tell yourself and anyone who raises an eyebrow and goes on to ask. I am strong you persuade yourself on those nights you go out with friends to catch that romantic comedy with those beautiful love scenes.

Hmmmmm. I tell you it is not easy. Abstinence is not what nature planned for a healthy human body. You hit puberty and the hormones start raging in your system. You read mills and boon and thrills and boon and sex is this earth shattering experience. You read Joan Collins and Harold Robbins and the raunchy aspects are described in titillating detail. The blood pools in certain parts of your body and you can’t wait to meet your own love and share sex with him.

Why abstinence then? You are a teenager and your body is so ready, more than ready. But you are filled with romantic fantasies of there being just one person with whom it would be special. You also remember all the Sunday School lessons you attended and if you’re like me, what the catechist made you vow before your confirmation. The years creep by and you become mature enough to realise that you are not emotionally ready no matter how much your body screams for it. You go back to your bible roots and tap some strength from being born again.

Abstinence. Sometimes you ask yourself, what does it really mean? If you make out with your transient boyfriends, does that count? After all you did get some pleasure and maybe an orgasm or two from them. You recreate these episodes in your mind those days during your cycle when you are so easily aroused. And if you’re like me you put yourself in the dock those nights you wake up horny from the erotic dreams stalking your subconscious. There is afterall that guy that wanted to be your sex-buddy.

The years continue to pass and you still abstain. Some of your secondary school friends get married, get pregnant and you wonder at their new found confidence. Your university mates are sexually active and talk about all manner of stuff in your presence. Sometimes you own up to your inexperience and if the company is hostile, you brazen it out with knowledge gleaned from books. You cringe when they mention their numerous abortions, are disgusted when they crawl back to abusive BFs just for the sex and your decision is strengthened.

But does that strengthen your body? Not for me. A case of the spirit being willing and the flesh weak. You help yourself out sometimes and other times you go out with that guy that has been hanging around and allow him cop a feel. Most of the time though you stiffen your upper lip and go to sleep. Your guilty conscience makes you backslide. Furthermore, trying to get busy with church shows up the corrupt underbelly and you lose faith. The choirmaster and the solo singer are having sex so why do you bother? The pastor and his wife wear only Armani and Prada while Brother Pius and his family starve so why do you bother?

You are almost an atheist but you know that’s not possible. You hold on to your decision but it’s no more for God. Some of your friends you shared the pact with had either fallen by the wayside or gotten married. You’re approaching your big 3-0 and your closest friend tells you it’s only fear holding her back. It is no more strength of will. It is no more saving it for that one special guy. The other says its just that after rejecting all the previous eligible suitors, why give it up to some of the ‘yeye’ people coming around now. What to do? Your crown has become a millstone around your neck.

Then that friend gives in to one of those not so eligible guys, and he marries her after a bit. She’s lucky isn’t she? He’s a bachelor anyways unlike the majority married men that trail after you like flies to raw meat. There is one left and so you console yourself. Then out of the blues, she calls you. I have done it. Done what you ask? Had sex and girl it is so overrated, she blurts. You have heard that before but hearing it from her makes your heart plummet. Is that it? All that you’ve been looking forward to?

But that’s not the end. Did I say it was not easy? If anyone tells you abstinence is easy, they’re fibbing big time. You are now dating a guy you love more than all the others. He loves you so much and also understands your stance, he is ready to wait. But your married friend is filling your ears with gist. Ahhh, she says, it gets better. The more you have sex, the better it becomes. She is having the time of her life and she wants you to join the sexually active league. “What are you waiting for?” she asks.

Indeed. Your fiance is making subtle moves and your body is feeling him. A lot. What to do? Abstain?

It is not easy, I tell you.

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Myne Whitman [pen name], is the author of bestselling romance novels, A Heart to Mend (2009) and A Love Rekindled (2011). On her award-winning blog Romance Meets Life, Myne shares excerpts of her books, tips on love, life and relationships, and snippets from her personal life.

 

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

Comments (13)

  1. Over-correctness de worry this article. On point from the first line to the very last. You have just expressed the feelings of many. Its confusing as well as not easy. It definitely isn't what nature planned for a healthy human body.

  2. Over-correctness de worry this article. On point from the first line to the very last. You have just expressed the feelings of many. Its confusing as well as not easy.

  3. Great write-up. I jst wish all those girls out there can read there.

  4. Myne Whitman, you have so described this and its soo sweet.Abstainance is not eassssssssssssy! i tell you. kudos good writeup.

  5. You didnt even have to explain.

  6. How about the guys that have chosen to abstain because they won't to be practicing Christians… it's much tougher i tell you

  7. MyNeWhitman.

    Hmmmm…

  8. Beautiful piece… i love dis…

  9. Wait a minute! Why is Myne Whiteman featured? She didn't make the list of superbloggers so why is she on here. YNaija please be straight and don't be shady. do better you are not the regular site. this is unprofessional

    1. Dear Zina,

      Our press release said we were listing "some" of the Y! Superbloggers and that we were working towards eventually having 100 Y! Superbloggers.

      Thanks.

  10. This is GREAT writing, something that I have missed on this platform for a long time. You have eloquently pointed out the realisitic effects of making such a decision and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it from beginning to end. More please 🙂

  11. Its so amazing to see someone out my thoughts into words….thumps up dear!I actually tot I was d only one with dis feelsings.God will help us to d end

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