GirlGI | Girl Gone International GirlGI Issue 5 | Page 71

How to navigate love and sex on the go Keeping it clear and casual isn’t always easy but often necessary By Tina Jones Honesty Don’t want commitment? Be honest with yourself and your romantic partner. Relationships require a part of your life to be focused on another individual and sometimes the time isn’t right – and that’s okay. Be direct Keep things clear. If you aren’t looking for a relationship or don’t want the romance to last longer than a weekend, trip or season then say so – and act accordingly. Detach When outside your culture or country it is far easier to fall in love with people, places and things because you’re more open and inclined to take risks. Not every person you meet on the road will be the love of your life – and that’s great! Casual relationships and sex are fun and healthy. But what happens when it’s time to go home or move on to a new locale? If you’re not ready to take your romance with you, then here are some GirlGI approved ways to indulge in international sexcapades without heartbreak or hard feelings. Don’t form an unnecessary attachment. If you are interested in casual sex then it’s not all about emotions. It’s about sex. There’s no need to swap childhood stories or mentally assign songs that remind you of this person. Live in the moment Casual relationships are fun. Enjoy the moment and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. If you decide after you leave that you can’t live without this person, then contact them. That’s the beauty of the internet. Safety Sexual practices and awareness vary by country and culture and Chlamydia is like the common cold in the world of STDs. If you don’t want your vacation fling haunting you later, then practice safe sex and always carry and use protection.