Hello, I hope my answer can be of some help to you.
From what you've said, it seems like a lot of your beliefs are based on things you've seen on TV. TV shows aren't that realistic, but we humans are. You're feeling afraid of being abandoned in relationships, and you're insecure in them. These feelings of fear of abandonment and insecurity in relationships don't come from what TV shows we watch, but from our own attachment relationships. We need to go back to our original relationships to find the answers.
And sexual relationships aren't the key to making an intimate relationship last. To have a happy and stable relationship, we need to learn how to manage and maintain it, rather than relying on sexual relationships to sustain it.
My advice to you is:
Take a step back and think about your childhood, especially the first year. Look at how you related to your parents and how you formed your attachment patterns. This will help you understand yourself better.
Who looked after you before you turned one? Did you feel abandoned at that time?
What happened at that time that made you feel insecure in relationships? Even though we don't remember it consciously, the feelings and thoughts from that period still affect us at a subconscious level.
If we didn't get the care we needed when we were young, if our needs weren't met on time, if we were hungry but didn't get fed, if we made a mess but weren't cleaned up, or if we wanted to be held but were ignored, we'll feel insecure in relationships. We'll feel like we're going to be abandoned, and being abandoned at that time meant that we could hardly survive. This fear in early, primal relationships will also affect all our subsequent relationships, and when we become adults, it will be manifested in our intimate relationships.
It's important to understand ourselves from this perspective. Once you know what's going on with you, you'll feel much more relaxed.
2. When you feel secure on the inside, you'll be more comfortable in relationships and less likely to worry about being abandoned.
We can't change what's already happened, but we can change ourselves by accepting the past and our past selves. We can build inner security through self-care because a person's sense of security comes from within. When a person feels secure within, they'll feel grounded and safe in any relationship.
There are three levels to approaching self-care: first, treating yourself well; second, common humanity; and third, observing the present moment. For specific methods, you can check out "The Power of Self-Care," which goes into great detail about each of these levels.
I also suggest reading Rebuilding Your Life to help you feel secure, learn to love yourself, and enhance your self-worth.
3. A truly long-lasting and happy relationship is not just about having sex. It requires a deep connection, mutual understanding and support, trust, and tolerance.
There are three key ingredients to a great intimate relationship: passion, intimacy, and commitment. Of these, only passion is related to sex. So, a truly long-lasting and happy relationship has to be more than just a sexual relationship. It also needs to be about intimacy and commitment. Commitment means building a deep connection and mutual understanding through in-depth interactions, exchanges, words, body language, and actions. This helps to build a trusting and accepting relationship.
Don't worry, psychology has already done a lot of research on these methods for achieving happiness. As long as we keep learning and growing, we can learn them. I recommend that you take relevant courses and read related books, such as "Managing Intimate Relationships," "Intimacy," "It Turns Out That Understanding Is More Important Than Love," "Attachment in Psychotherapy," and so on.
You can find more information on this in the above references. Best wishes!


Comments
I totally understand your concerns. It's important to feel secure in a relationship, and you're right to take things at your own pace. Everyone has their timeline, and it's okay to wait until you're ready for the next step.
It sounds like you've had some tough experiences that have made you wary. Trusting someone can be scary, especially when past relationships haven't been respectful of your boundaries. Taking it slow and ensuring mutual respect is key to building a healthy partnership.
Your feelings are valid, and it's great that you're being cautious. Sometimes people do use others, but not everyone is like that. Finding someone who respects your wishes and understands the importance of commitment can help ease those fears over time.
It's commendable that you're thinking about what you truly want from a relationship. You deserve someone who values you for who you are, not just physical intimacy. Holding out for the right person might mean missing out on a few, but it's worth it for genuine connection.
Balancing your desires with caution is tricky. On one hand, you want to feel close now, but on the other, you're worried about potential heartbreak. Maybe focusing on emotional intimacy first can help build a foundation where physical intimacy feels safer and more meaningful when it happens.