You feel attracted to someone. Your body responds. Your mind races. That's just science; biology to be precise. Albeit, feeling something does not mean you have to act on it. Here is what adults rarely tell you. Choosing to wait is not about being scared or religious or old-fashioned, it is about being in control of your own life.

What Abstinence Actually Means

Abstinence simply means choosing not to have sex. That is it. No moral judgment. No shame. No "good kids vs bad kids." You can choose to wait because you are focused on school, because you do not feel ready emotionally, because you have not found the right person, because you want to avoid pregnancy or STIs or simply because you just do not want to. All of these reasons are valid.

Two Paths One Choice

Some people choose to wait before their first sexual experience whereas others have already had sex and decide to take a pause or reset their boundaries. Both hoices are legitimate. You are not "dirty" or "damaged" because you have had sex. You are not "weak" because you want to wait now. You are allowed to change your mind at any time. Your body belongs to you. The world pressures us to grow up fast. Social media, music, peers and sometimes even your own hormones.

Choosing your own pace takes more courage than giving in. That is why you must know your boundaries before you are in a heated moment. Decide what you are comfortable with, write it down if that helps. Talk about protection and limits before things get physical, not when emotions are high. Also remember to carry condoms even if you plan to wait because being prepared is not being promiscuous, rather, it is being smart.

Abstinence can be a healthy protective choice. It helps adolescents delay sexual activity while they develop emotionally mentally and socially. Moreover, talking about sex does not encourage teens to have sex. Honest guidance helps them make better decisions.