Why "Yes/No/Maybe" Lists Are Game-Changers for Couples

For many couples, the hardest part of exploring intimacy isn't the lack of ideas; it's the awkwardness of bringing them up. What if your partner isn't into it? What if it changes how they see you?

That's where the simple Yes/No/Maybe list comes in. It's exactly what it sounds like: a list of different activities or scenarios, and a space for each partner to mark whether it's a definite yes, an absolute no, or a maybe, under the right circumstances.

The beauty of this approach is in how it lowers the stakes. Instead of blurting out a fantasy in the middle of the moment, you each get to reflect in your own time and share your answers side by side. Suddenly, a potentially nerve-wracking conversation becomes a playful discovery.

And here's the surprising part: the most powerful answers often aren't the yeses. They're the maybes. A maybe is an invitation. It says, "I'm curious, but I'd need more context or comfort to try this." Those maybes often spark the best conversations and sometimes the most exciting experiences.

Yes/No/Maybe lists remind us that consent isn't about shutting doors, it's about opening the right ones together. And when couples know where those doors are, exploring intimacy feels safer, freer, and a lot more fun.