Scarleteen

So, I'm 16 (afab) and I've never masturbated, and I'm a bit scared to.

I want to, since I'm always horny, but I don't really know where to start, since I feel like I have a really late start compared to everyone else.

I don't have any toys or anything like that, so it would just be my hands, and that's one of the things that's made me take so long to try.

I've never touched myself like that, and even though I read a lot of erotica, fantasize, play etchi games and stuff, It's just, idk, I guess I just get scared.

I don't really know what I'm looking for, I guess just... Somewhere to start? Like, pointers, if that's a thing?

Sorry if this is awkward to read, I'm obviously really new to this.

Hello and welcome to the boards, Lavender!

No worries, this is not awkward to read--it is exactly the kind of question we are here to help with! To start, we have a few resources on exploring self-pleasure and masturbation that I'd like to share with you. Would you look them over to see if they give you the pointers you wanted, and let us know if you have any questions?:

• Going Solo: The Basics of Masturbation

• How Do You Masturbate?

• Take a Self-Love Road Trip: Let Curiosity Guide Your Masturbation

If it helps to hear, you have not had a late start to exploring masturbation. You might have a sense that there are people who started exploring earlier than you, but equally, there are plenty of people who will start later. I don't think anyone can actually be late, because this is an optional activity that you should do only if it feels right to you.

I don't have any toys or anything like that, so it would just be my hands, and that's one of the things that's made me take so long to try.

Just to toss some ideas out there, if the idea of direct stimulation with your hands seems strange, it might be easier to start with stimulation from over your clothes. And if you do want to explore toys, there are DIY options: D.I.Y Sex Toys: Self-Love Edition