From doing the deed in virtual realities to re-exploring acts such as anal sex, January 1 is set to mark a year of firsts and reinventions within the sex space.
Pushing deeper into the topic of sex is definitely on the table, as people will start to peel back the layers of what sexual intimacy means and how to make it an even more pleasurable experience. In a world where we are glued to our phones and computer screens, we are constantly entertained and over-stimulated.
This can lead to people operating at high levels of stress and exhaustion caused by an overwhelming amount of choices β and people are looking to strike a balance.
Mindfulness apps, workshops and books are all booming, as people look to focus on themselves and have meaningful experiences. According to Lovehoney, whether it is solo-sex or sex with a partner, the journey rather than the destination is becoming the centre of attention. Sexual mindfulness means less casual dating and performance-centred sex, but more self-focused interactions. Next year will see taboo being given the boot and open conversations around menstruation and female sexuality being brought to the forefront of our sex lives.
This is by no means a natural change. Despite strict rules on what can be shown on Instagram and TikTok , the number of channels that talk about sex ed has grown significantly. Lovehoney found Gen Z especially turn to these channels for information and education. Open intimacy leads to better communication about our needs and desires. Taken offline, we can see a similar trend in supermarkets and drug stores: whether it is trendy period products or sex toys , the packaging and product design have changed to turn them into lifestyle products.
