At this point, most of us have come to the conclusion that using protection isn’t only an intelligent choice, it’s an essential one. Yet despite the vast resources and education available to us, our generation seems to have developed a habit of ignoring it. We actively choose to smoke cigarettes even though we know they’re deadly. We have unprotected sex even though we are well aware of the consequences. We drink to the point of black outs and nausea with full awareness of the threat this poses to our body.

So why do we actively make the decision to put ourselves at risk?

Older generations chalk it up to our “arrogance,” they say that we think we’re infallible and invulnerable. And perhaps this has some truth to it. But in my humble opinion, I think our reluctance to take care of ourselves has something to do with a thirst for adventure, a desire to keep things fun, exciting, unknown.

Now, as a bungee-jumping skydiver, I’d argue that there are better ways to fulfill this need…. But that is really besides the point… Sex can easily be adventurous, wild, fun AND safe. In fact, the protection itself can make your love life daring, bold, fun.

Consider exploring the technicolored variety of condoms available. From varied shapes to varied colors… ever heard of ribbed, lubed, heated, for him, for her?

Grab some condoms with tuxedo designs or grab your favorite shade of neon. Protect yourself to fit your mood… because sex is supposed to be fun, even when it gets to the nitty gritty details.

This post is by our resident blogger Carina Kolodny

Carina Kolodny is a writer and expert coffee shop loiterer based out of NYC. When not writing (or loitering) she can usually be found traveling the world or jumping out of airplanes. She became interested in HIV education while working with the Red Cross in Fiji. This was an enriching though terrifying experience as she hates snakes almost as much as she hates grammar. She counts Fiji, Cuba and Tanzania as second homes and strongly believes in the power of self love and red lipstick.