I have a relationship question that I've had a hard time finding someone I can talk to about. I thought this might be a good place to hear others' opinions, since I know there are many caring people here who have experience with the challenges of a long-term relationship.
Most people will agree that sexual compatibility is an important part of any lasting relationship. And beyond compatibility, that sometimes sexual contact is about emotional expression and connection. But it also appears that most people agree that after a few years sexual compatibility becomes less important and the key to a healthy relationship is compatibility on other levels. So here's my question:
What would you do if you're in a relationship where your compatibility is great on every level except sexually? Your relationship is fullfilling intellectually, socially, spiritually, and emotionally but sexually you just don't feel satisfied anymore. It's not that there is no more mutual desire, but that the sexual elements you need in order to feel fullfilled aren't there anymore. The emotional connection you used to feel through sex isn't there anymore, or worse - the feeling is there but it doesn't feel like it is reciprocated.
Would you feel like staying in the relationship is settling for less than you deserve? Or would you feel like it is simply a normal part of the relationship process and that the other fullfilling parts of the relationship are vastly more important? Would it bother you that you feel like you still have passion for your partner but they don't have it for you?
Obviously, I'm not speaking hypothetically here but I'm also trying to be vague enough to talk about the topic as it applies to any relationship.
Most people will agree that sexual compatibility is an important part of any lasting relationship. And beyond compatibility, that sometimes sexual contact is about emotional expression and connection. But it also appears that most people agree that after a few years sexual compatibility becomes less important and the key to a healthy relationship is compatibility on other levels. So here's my question:
What would you do if you're in a relationship where your compatibility is great on every level except sexually? Your relationship is fullfilling intellectually, socially, spiritually, and emotionally but sexually you just don't feel satisfied anymore. It's not that there is no more mutual desire, but that the sexual elements you need in order to feel fullfilled aren't there anymore. The emotional connection you used to feel through sex isn't there anymore, or worse - the feeling is there but it doesn't feel like it is reciprocated.
Would you feel like staying in the relationship is settling for less than you deserve? Or would you feel like it is simply a normal part of the relationship process and that the other fullfilling parts of the relationship are vastly more important? Would it bother you that you feel like you still have passion for your partner but they don't have it for you?
Obviously, I'm not speaking hypothetically here but I'm also trying to be vague enough to talk about the topic as it applies to any relationship.