Sometimes I feel uncomfortable w/ expressing my desires, but I pick and choose who I talk to about things. I think u have to trust a person before you throw that intimate part of your life out there.

I agree. I'm not able to express myself if the trust isn't there.

I've always been very open about sex. My mom was like that and while growing up in her household was not much of a walk in the park, at least I was able to pull that out of it. Honesty and trust is very important for any relationship and with that comes the confidence to talk to each other openly, I think.

There is someone out there that finds you sexy no matter your height, weight, or anything about you. Know that and you'll have much more confidence in everything in life!

My family never talked about sex or anything to do with it. She still doesn't Luke it if say something about it, it embarrasses her. I love sex and trying new things, wearing outfits and all but I'm uncomfortable with it still. I can't tell my bf what I want or even be the one to start anything, just makes me nervous. I wish I was more comfortable with it.

Write them down at least. Get them out some how. its amazing how much better if feels to express them. and if you cannot bare the though of someone finding them burn them if you must. But let your head breathe a little and put pen to paper

I was able to be honest with who I am and what I want after I got my divorce. I was stifled in that relationship and unfulfilled. Now I ask for what I want and go after it.

I wasn't every really given "the talk" from my parents, so I started out almost neutral as far as how we saw sexuality, apart from the fact that it was "an adult thing I didn't need to know about". When I asked my mom where baby's came from, she gave me a super technical explanation about the organs, and then hand-waved the entire thing so that I left with the message "don't let boys touch you". The discussion was the topic was taboo, but since I already knew that my parents' opinions where fallible and were not to be trusted all the time, I never really developed a stigma against sexuality.
When I discovered sexuality on the internet, I did a lot of private exploration and eventually told my mom, who at first was really not happy that I masturbated (because she comes from a strongly religious background, even if she isn't as active in participation). I essentially dismissed her opinion because I couldn't see where she got off telling me what I could do with my body. Thankfully, she is also open to logic about why all the arguments she brought up against it were fallacious and has accepted me both for what I do on my own time and my own orientation. She eventually even got to the point where she's given me a budget to go out with and buy sex toys.
So I suppose since I've always been honest with myself about what I wanted, I've been able to express my sexual independence since I discovered it, but that doesn't mean that there was ever a partner involved. If I were to give advice to someone who still didn't feel comfortable about expressing their desire, I'd suggest first (either on their own or with a trusted friend/sounding board) figure out what they want, what their desires are, and to explore them on your own time frame, either on their own or with their partner, with clear communicaion every step of the way as far as what they want, don't want, what they end up liking and not liking (because there is a difference between wanting and having, and you won't know that until you try). The key, I believe, is open communication, both with any partners involved and with your self (self honesty).

I actually became sexually independent a year ago, but I've been openly sexual for quite some time though. It just came naturally, it's not really something I learned.

Sometimes still feel uncomfy. ;x

I was sexually abused both as a small child and as a preteen. Sexuality, especially my attraction to kink and bondage, was extremely hard for me to come to terms with as a young adult in a conservative household. When I transitioned to college, I met a lot of good people and found so many great resources for exploring my own sexuality and healing parts of my past that I never had the courage to address before. My advice is to never ignore your feelings, not to feel shameful or guilty about your sexuality, and if you need someone to talk to, never doubt a good friend's capacity to make time for you.

Having a great partner is what helped me out

We didn't talk about sex in my house growing up. As for my husband he too grew up in a home where sex wasn't discussed because it was just him and his mother, who is very religious and proper. His father was in the service and was overseas most of his life and when his father was home he was abusive verbally and mentally to everyone and sometimes physically to my husband. My husband found out later in life that his father was unfaithful to his mother as well. So needless to say he wasn't very open in the bedroom. Thank goodness he has never cheated or been abusive with me and we have learned to be open with each other together. We love each other enough to express what we like and don't worry about the other being critical. In the heat of the moment we have both said things that we would like to do but never really will i.e."I wish you could do me in the a** while I f^cked so in so." or "I wish I could eat you while I f^cked so in so"

So I'm very lucky in that respect that I don't have to be mindful in the bedroom. EF and its community is helping us come out of our shells even more. Thank you.

I'm pretty comfortable expressing what I want in the bedroom. I've always been pretty open though. My parents were open and honest with me, and I'm the same way with my kids. I think there is a fine line between being open and comfortable enough and being too open and comfortable though.