Sex sells — especially when people have been cooped up inside for a whole year due to a global pandemic. That’s why it’s no surprise that since its release on Netflix, the show “Sex/Life” has been a smash hit. But the show offers more than just the promise of a steamy Saturday night binge session. Aside from the undeniable entertainment, the show can also get you thinking.
The show might make you think a lot about sex, love, and intimacy. It can cause you to question things. You might even find yourself comparing parts of the show to your past relationships and experiences. But beyond all of that, the show can also offer a few great gentle reminders.
Here are seven random relationship musts that “Sex/Life” can remind you to do.
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1. Always Use Contraceptives
In “Sex/Life,” protagonist Billie has flashbacks remembering her wild past. She remembers nights partying with her bestie, Sasha, and fantasizes about old lovers. Watching all of this sex might raise the question: Am I careful enough? It’s not a bad question to ask yourself. In fact, it’s a great reminder that you should always be careful and practice safe sex.
Whether you’re in a committed relationship or casually dating, you should always use contraceptives. The only time you shouldn’t is when you’re actively trying to conceive.
With online birth control options being so readily available, it’s not all that difficult to get on the pill. Doctor appointments and waiting in line at the pharmacy can be a thing of the past.
2. Get Tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Now that the show has reminded you to be careful and use contraceptives, what about your past sexual encounters? Maybe you used a condom. Maybe you didn’t. Either way, it’s a little late to change your past. If you can recall any sexual encounter that may not have been 100% safe, you should get tested.
Even if you’re not currently in a committed relationship, knowing that you’re disease-free is always a good feeling. Besides, it’ll be pretty hard for you to live a wild, carefree lifestyle with that weight on your shoulders. Knowing you’re healthy will make you feel better all around.
3. Communicate With Your Partner
If there’s one non-sex-related takeaway from “Sex/Life,” it’s that communication is key in a relationship. The storyline in the show is a prime example of why communication is so important. Not communicating can be detrimental to a relationship. The lack of communication between Billie and her present-day husband, Cooper, almost costs them their marriage.
A majority of problems in adult relationships could be solved if people just talked about how they feel. No matter how scary a conversation may seem, honesty is always the best policy. When Billie is sexually frustrated in her marriage, she starts journaling about her fantasies. She could have just as easily told her husband how she was feeling. This is the beginning of a long road of problems for them, all of which could have been avoided.
Share your past and your hopes for the future. Tell your partner about every part of your journey. We all have a past, and it can be scary to talk about. But the right person either loves you for who you are, or they’re not the one.
4. Keep the Spark Alive in Your Relationship
One has to wonder, would Billie even be thinking about her ex this much if she wasn’t so bored in her marriage? This show provides an excellent reminder to couples who may be stuck in a rut to keep the spark alive. Keeping things interesting is not only fun. It could be the thing that saves your relationship from being doomed.
There’s a reason why ruts happen. It’s easy to think about your exciting past when you’ve fallen into such a routine. Billie struggles throughout the entire show with her “what ifs.”
The truth is, it is possible to keep the spark alive in a marriage or a long-term relationship. It just takes a little more work. Of course, an on-again, off-again relationship is going to feel exciting. If you really love someone, you’ll both work hard to keep things as exciting as possible.
5. Get a Clear Idea of What You’re Looking for and Don’t Settle
This show can make you think long and hard about your sexual habits. Are those habits healthy? If you’re absolutely certain your sex life isn’t having a negative impact on your health, then that’s fine. But studies have found many negative emotional outcomes for women who have casual sex. These women may experience anxiety, sadness, and poor self-esteem.
Before you completely wreck your mental health over a guy who gives you a thrill, maybe take a step back. Ask yourself, “Is this really who I want to be?”
It’s important that you know yourself and what you want before you get too involved. If you realize your dream partner can’t offer you what you wanted in the middle of the relationship, you’ll be left heartbroken. Save yourself the trouble by being clear about what you want and don’t settle for less.
6. Eliminate Toxic People From Your Life
In “Sex/Life,” it’s so obvious that Billie is still in love with her ex, bad boy Brad. However, she’s married, and we all know it’s probably not in her best interests to go running back to him. But that was the problem — she went back to him so many times.
At the first sign that someone is toxic, you should be running and eliminating them from the equation. If someone treats you poorly, they don’t deserve you. And you can only give someone so many chances. If you run back to someone easily after they hurt you, what does that teach them? They’ll probably just hurt you again.
7. Seek Help If You Need It
Last but certainly not least, seek help if you need it. This show is a good reminder that mental health issues can only be ignored for so long. At the beginning of the show, we watch Billie struggle internally with a lot of things. It’s almost painful to watch her suffer in silence. It may make you wonder about your own mental health.
If something is really bothering you, regardless of what it is — it matters. When something is on your mind constantly and interfering with your everyday life, you need to address it. Ignoring it will only make the problem worse. Seek counseling or therapy for relationship problems. If you feel like you need to talk to someone, then that’s exactly what you should do.
The eight jam-packed episodes of “Sex/Life” are a whirlwind of an experience. As relatable as the show can be, it can offer so many reminders. Watching the show can do more than keep your eyes glued to the television. It can have a lasting positive impact on all of your life’s relationships.
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