Friday Night in the Suburbs (IV)

By Rachel Turney

Copyright ©2026

This month is about trying new things and setting intentions for the new year, both sexually and in your relationship overall. Zach and I tried some new positions, as this was the theme for January, but we also took time to just talk about how we could focus on each other more. One idea we had was getting back to our afternoon sex sessions (we work from home). Another thing we want to do more of in 2026 is dine out without our phones. This month, take a pause to examine what did and didn’t work in 2025. Talk to your partner about your needs, wants, and desires in 2026.

Adult Activity Book Entry Four: New Year, New Positions

Exploring new sexual positions hasn’t been high on our priorities over the past one to two years. We have about a four-position rotation going on that we enjoy. This month, DISRUPT! In 2026, take some risks in the bedroom. Even just the opportunity to think about what sex positions we might enjoy was a good exercise for us. We talked about what did and didn’t work in the past …that one time on Cozumel … and what has helped connect us. My original plan was to each choose three new positions to try during the month. Like in past months, I ended up amending this plan and going in a slightly different direction.

Instead of the wild rumpus time I had intended, Zach and I ended up focusing on positions that allowed us to be face to face. This Friday night, try at least one new or less frequented position that asks you to face your partner. Spend time making eye contact, kissing, and staying focused on each other. Watch the desire in your partner’s eyes and respond to each other.

Bare Back Magazine had a great article out last month that included festive bedroom techniques by Tonia Mansfield. If you missed it, that would be a good read this January! You should also check out her article detailing ten ways to spice up the new year.

How we did the activity:

We checked out this list in The Everygirl by Alyssa Rotunno. We recommend both Pretzel Dip and Cuddle Squat from this list as “facing” positions. There are many lists out there to explore. I also suggest just being open to initiate and try something new without a real plan or agenda. Enter the bedroom this new year with an open mind and take time in exploration.

Have a sexy Friday night!

From the suburbs,

Rachel Turney

Friday Night in the Suburbs Mini: New Year, New Desires - New Year Mini Article

New Year, New Desires

The way I started erotic/romantic writing and eventually built up to this column was through

erotic poetry. To me this was a low barrier way to express my feelings and desires. This new

year, try your hand at expressing sexuality in a new way. Perhaps you want to try or reintroduce lingerie in the bedroom, maybe you have bolder plans. Examine what you want to explore and think about things your partner would enjoy. Set intentions for 2026 related to your expression of sexuality. We don’t want sex to become something we tick off on a list, but as busy adults we do need to intentionally focus on our needs and wants this new year. You might consider journaling some sexual intentions for 2026 with your partner and/or alone.

In 2026, I want to focus on more surprises for Zach. Those can be sexual or not. I want to keep him guessing. That’s a part of our relationship that, with time, has fallen out of focus. Want to hear how I shock him … stay tuned this 2026!

If you are feeling a bit stuck for inspiration, I invite you to attend and listen to my free reading series on the subject of erotic writing on February 14th. More information can be found on turneytalks.com, on my Instagram, or on the flyer below.

If you missed it, please check out my first installments in this series:

Friday Night in the Suburbs I: The Senses Sensually

Friday Night in the Suburbs II: Oral Fixation

Friday Night in the Suburbs III: Toy Land

About Rachel Turney: 

Rachel Turney, Ed.D. (she/her) is an educator and artist located in Colorado. Her poems, research articles, drawings, and photography can be found in a variety of publications. Rachel is passionate about immigrant rights, teacher support, and empowering other artists. She is a Writers’ Hour prize winner, Best of the Net nominee, and her photography appears on a few magazine covers. Rachel is on staff at Bare Back Magazine as a contributing writer with her monthly column Friday Night in the Suburbs. She is a reader for The Los Angeles Review. Her poetry collection Record Player Life is forthcoming with The Poetry Lighthouse. Her second collection, Retired Wannabe Club Kid, is set for release in 2026 with Parlyaree Press. 

Website: turneytalks.com Instagram: @turneytalks Bluesky: rachelturney