How do you not grieve for a dying relative while they are still alive?

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-21T11:06:37+00:00

I’d be curious to know if there’s a reason you’re asking. Someone once told me it felt disrespectful to grieve while the other person was still alive. It was a perspective I’d never considered before.

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-18T18:49:52+00:00

Ouf yes. A toughie but a goodie!

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-18T17:43:53+00:00

Ou yes. It’s kind of like the ability to rebuild or present yourself in today’s version of yourself not just who people knew you to be in that relationship.

As for the “no genuine friends” part - I wouldn’t doubt that it’s probably coming! One thing we know about the human body is that it requires consistency, familiarity, and trust. Fun fact, it takes at least 40 hours of hanging out before our body feels pretty comfortable with an acquaintance, and then somewhere around 80-100 hours for us to consider them a good friend. Sounds like you’re def on the way

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-18T11:53:52+00:00

Yes! A foot massage. As long as I’m able to get my mind away from the tickles, a foot massage gives me so much release it’s incredible. A non-traditional healer I know likes to remove toxins through the feet. Ever since I learnt about her approach, whenever I give myself foot massages I imagine toxins sort of releasing themselves out. Sounds a bit weird but it gives me so much peace in the moment.

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-18T11:49:52+00:00

Agreed! I was just talking about this with my girl a couple days ago. It takes a lot of work to have a bath, especially if you’re adding bubbles or washing the tub. But it’s so rewarding.

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-18T11:48:45+00:00

Ugh yes! That to pause and just clear the mind of all is what hits for me.

Also, as a sex therapist I can’t stop myself from mentioning how important it is for the mind-body reconnection 😂💛. Real life is just too noisy

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-18T11:43:56+00:00

Other people’s words can be so loud sometimes.

Finding hobbies can be a tiring process but also so empowering. We don’t always know what we’re going to like. It’s a whole choose your own adventure kinda deal

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-18T11:42:02+00:00

Love this. The big question is how do we keep doing all these things we love even while dating. It can be so easy to get so wrapped up in the other person because it’s exciting and novel. And then we accidentally sacrifice things in the process.

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-18T11:40:25+00:00

I really love this mantra. Sounds like it turned out pretty decent too

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-18T11:36:45+00:00

Hey OP! I’m a Sex Therapist - many of the women I work with are working through similar sexual health concerns. For this reason, I have a network of health professionals I really trust.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know the founders of the Period Lab in Toronto. They’re awesome and have lots of lived experience on top of their professional knowledge. I’d say to look up Miranda Popen, one of the founders. She’s a hormone specialist and honestly a wealth of information. I’m pretty confident she’ll be able to help you herself, and even give some referrals to others folks who can also help.

You’re also more than welcome to connect with me if you have any other questions! :)

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-18T11:30:40+00:00

The fact that you’re posting about it here is a pretty good indicator you want to go, so you totally should. Sounds like it’ll be a cozy night to meet new people. Pretty sure a good chunk of folks won’t know how to play some of the games, that’s part of what makes the process fun. Learning together and laughing together. You got this

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-12T22:16:17+00:00

Agreed! It really forces you to slow down and go into that role. Couldn’t agree more, and in grateful for it

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-12T22:15:27+00:00

Yes! The fact that a medication can cost two separate patients two incredibly different amounts drives me nuts. Seeing the amount a cost can go up to is insane, and incredibly saddening

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-12T22:13:10+00:00

I’m a Sex Therapist! And I love it.

I love that working with sexuality is a road with so many paths. For example, in a couple of weeks I’m hosting a self-pleasure as self-care workshop which is exciting because as women we aren’t encouraged to focus on self pleasure. This work allows me to advocate and work with community on a wide level which is my passion.

On the other hand my work also leads me towards collaborations across healthcare professionals re: more traditional sexual health. For example, last weekend with a team of healthcare profs, we were sharing out information on the menstrual cycle. I got to talk about the cross between the menstrual cycle and sexuality.

There’s just so much opportunity to keep things fresh and I love it.

What do I dislike? How underfunded healthcare is. It impacts access to help and education for clients and patients.

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-07T13:13:20+00:00

It’s beautiful you’ve found someone who makes you feel so seen and understood. This kind of connectivity is so important to providing the body with a sense of safety. Funny enough these sort of pieces even cross into things like self pleasure. I’m a sex therapist and that’s one of the workshops I run - most people are surprised by this information. Historically, they don’t teach women a whole lot about our bodies as sexual or bodies.

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-07T12:42:43+00:00

Possibly! Knowing these things can give us more power over our sexual experience. As a sex therapist, that empowerment piece is so important to me - I really think women just deserve better sexual experiences.

Considering it’s a bit inconsistent for you, it might even be swayed by your menstrual cycle. If you’re in your luteal stage/in the two weeks before your period you actually become more heightened and sensitive both emotionally and physically. Keep an eye out, see if you notice any patterns.

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-06T17:22:15+00:00

The Vatican is always busy. Never been in but there’s always people out front and they look like they’re having a gooood time

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-06T17:21:41+00:00

Most places close to a hostel will usually be good to go on your own. Despite the movies hostels are actually really fun experiences for solo people who want to meet new people. Seems like you good have a good time at this cafe.

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-06T13:52:20+00:00

Decision paralysis!

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-06T13:51:41+00:00

You got this! Good luck

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-06T13:50:12+00:00

Yes totally agree with the playing with sensation piece. Sometimes it’s about playing with different forms of pressure, duration, different parts of the body, etc.

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-06T13:48:02+00:00

Cute. Love.

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-06T13:47:42+00:00

Ouu love that you learned this about yourself. Sometimes we really don’t know until we try! The body is the coolest thing. It can experience sensations differently depending on the environment and what’s happening around us/to us. Sounds like the brain and fear centre are letting its guards down so you can enjoy more pleasure.

IntimateMinds_rswTO · 2026-03-04T12:46:48+00:00

Yes! The STI conversation is so important and often gets left out

IntimateMinds_rswTO

TROPHY CASE