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Society tells us what is right and what is wrong based on unrealistic expectations. In the end, though, no matter how unique our experiences seem, they aren’t wrong: they simply are.
The Keeping It Under Wraps anthology series provides a safe space to change the narrative, to speak openly about individual experiences, and in the end to understand that while each experience is different, we are not so different from each other.
Let’s start the conversation.
What better place to start than with sex?
Sexual health, sexual preferences, and sexual experiences: no stigma, no shame, no more keeping it under wraps.
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Extract
Content Warning
Some of the essays in this book include topics such as sexual violence, drug abuse, assault and other related
themes.
The writers of these essays come from diverse cultural and generational backgrounds. Their voices and their
views are their own.
Introduction
The idea for an anthology about sex started with a group of friends talking about their sex lives over a
drink one wintry evening. As we compared stories, it was clear that everyone felt different, or weird, because
of their feelings about and approach to sex. Over wine and friendship, the conversation deepened. We
realised that we are so brainwashed about what sex should be, what it should look like, and how it should
feel, that our realities become irrelevant. Instead of living with our own reality, we have to live with what
others say it should be. And when we live like that, we always come up short.
We decided to spread the word and see who felt comfortable sharing their personal experiences with us. It
was a big ask, finding people willing to open up about their anxieties, their traumas, their shame, and their
innermost desires. These are things we don’t talk about – but shouldn’t we?
This anthology brings together people from around the world with diverse experiences and reflections on
what sex and sexuality is for them. Very quickly, we saw that the stories were unique, and yet, the themes
were universal.
No matter our relationships or expectations, we are all looking for joy and acceptance – a way to belong not
only to our own smaller communities but also to a larger community, where who we are is normal, ok,
acceptable.
We have worth and meaning. We are enough.
Sex isn’t always pleasure. There is trauma, there is pain, there is inadequacy, there is shame, there is
indifference. As much as we have to destigmatise pleasure, we must also not be afraid of talking about how
people can inflict pain on others in the search to fulfil their own needs, fears, and expectations.
There is hope. In the saddest stories and the most traumatic experiences, sometimes the simple lesson is that
right now, in this moment, it’s ok to not be ok. That our experiences, our hopes, and understanding – well,
it’s all a bit muffled and fuzzy. Life can be shit and sex can be shit and people can be shit. That’s ok.
In the end, it’s about finding self-acceptance and love, especially from the most important person in your life:
yourself.
These stories are collected and shared, with love, by Alnaaze, Louise and Tracy. We are grateful to the
writers who were courageous enough to share their stories, whether endearing, funny, painful, or traumatic.
Thank you all for your trust.
Thank you, Lola’s Blog Tours
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About the authors
You can read more about this book and the contributing authors here on the website: https://www.keepingitunderwraps.com/books
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Author Links
Website: https://www.keepingitunderwraps.com/books
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepingitunderwrapsbook/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/underwrapsbook
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeping_it_underwraps/
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Book Links
https://linktr.ee/keepingitunderwraps
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