Though we all know asking for consent is absolutely MANDATORY in all sexual encounters, you have to also be prepared to respond to the request of consent honestly.
That means being ready to say no if you don’t want to do what your partner is asking.
Yes, it is your partner’s responsibility to ask for clear, sane consent.
But it’s also your responsibility to provide an honest answer.
Which means saying no even if you feel bad about it.
Which means saying no even if you are a chronic people pleaser.
Which means saying no even when you’re are terrified to say say.
You don’t have to physically say no, you can say another word or make a certain signal or sound to convey that you are not giving consent, but you NEED to communicate that no.
As much as both you and I wish our partners could read our mind, that is not reality.
If you you say yes when you’re really thinking ‘I don’t know, if you say yes when you’re really thinking ‘no, stop,’ you need to say something.
Ofc it’s then on your partner to then respect this response, stopping and not guilting you for saying no.
But the point is that consent is something that needs all parties to participate. If you are on the receiving end of asking for consent, you need to be honest.
I get that it’s scary.
I get that you might feel awkward.
I get that you just don’t like saying no.
But speaking your mind during sex is integral. Being honest about your feelings has to happen.
Sex is supposed to be a positive experience. Saying no will keep it positive for everyone involved.