Why Do We Have One Night Stands?

What is the purpose of the one-night stand? Does it accomplish anything? I don't condone one-night stands; for me they've led to awkwardness, and self-loathing (of course I'm filled with self loathing without sex in my life, so what's the difference?).

I'm reluctant to accept "I was drunk" (opens in new tab) as the sole reason for a one night stand. Alcohol contributes to risky behavior or clouds judgment. As a depressant, it also enhances negative emotions. In light of this, there are temporary mindsets we should not mix with alcohol (opens in new tab)--mindsets that make us more vulnerable and prone to a one night stand.

Here they are:

Lonely Mentality

Sex can seem like a quick fix for loneliness. It's not that we feel validated when we have sex, butit is nice to know that we are attractive (opens in new tab). That physical and mental intimacy, while fleeting, is nice in the moment. Unfortunately, though, when that person leaves your life, your loneliness intensifies.

Vengeful Mentality

It's pretty twisted, but sex can be used for revenge. Sleeping with that jerky ex's best friend (opens in new tab), or some other "strategic" person to hurt someone else is the M.O. However, using people to hurt other people will only lead to a bad outcome.

Risk-taking Mentality

You know those periods in your life you're more inclined to take risks? Sex is sometimes risky behavior, along with drugs, alcohol, etc. It's unhealthy to take risks that impact the body and mind, but it's also thrilling.

Desiring Mentality

It's not always mental. Sometimes you just want to get laid. Unfortunately, for me, when I want to get laid, I don't. When I don't feel like getting laid, suddenly opportunities abound (opens in new tab).

Liberated Mentality

You think you're over your ex (opens in new tab), so you run out and exercise your rights to freedom. But if you're going to an extreme, such as having a one night stand, to prove you're over someone, then you are probably not really over them (opens in new tab).

Closing the Loop Mentality

There are some people in your life with sexual tension (opens in new tab). Things should have happened, but circumstances didn't permit at the time. All of a sudden, you've got an opportunity and you both know you have to do it. It's all about getting it out of your system.

I've had three one night stands in my life. They can all be traced back to a mentality above:

The mindsets outlined above are about vulnerability. When we go away from home, feeling lonely, or just got dumped, the vulnerability feeds the one-night stand mentalities. The alarming thing is that there are guys out there who know how to sense this mindset in a woman. They intentionally look for vulnerable women with sex in mind, but no intention of dating or communicating afterward.

The other ingredient, of course, is animal attraction. But this attraction lives in us every day. We only act upon it when our mentality dictates it. So, I contend that a one night stand is 90% mental, even though it's a physical act.

I have outgrown one night stands. Sex without connection, laughter, love, compatibility, and mutual experience is empty. This explains why it's awkward the next day when everyone comes back down to earth (opens in new tab).

Do you agree that one night stands are mostly mental? What mentalities would you add to the list, and what kinds of experiences have you or your friends had with one night stands? Did you ever have any that turned out well, or didn't lead to negative self-perception?

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