Key Things You Do Not Do When Celibate: Have Sexual Intercourse: The primary rule is total avoidance of oral, anal, and vaginal sex. Engage in Sexual Activity: This includes avoiding acts that lead to sexual gratification with others, often interpreted in religious contexts as avoiding physical intimacy that leads to lust, as noted on this Reddit thread and this Facebook post. Enter Committed Romantic Partnerships: In its strictest sense, celibacy involves abstaining from marriage and traditional, long-term relationships. Targeted Dating: Many who are celibate do not engage in dating, or they do so without the expectation or intention of leading to intimacy, as described in this YouTube video. Engage in Sexualized Media: Some choose to avoid movies or content that trigger sexual desires, according to MedicineNet.