At the beginning of 2025, like many others, I set myself a few resolutions for the year ahead. Amongst the manifestations of establishing a better fitness routine, progressing in my career, and reading more, my major goals revolved around sex and relationships – an area of my life that I had neglected for the past 12 months. Specifically, I wanted to start taking dating less seriously and put myself out there for new, exciting and unpredictable experiences of love.
I never thought I would be someone who needed to consciously put effort into dating. I’ve always been known as someone who is fun, flirty and sexually positive, but after a year of ‘intentional dating’, I inadvertently closed myself off to the idea of love in all its forms and unwillingly became celibate in the process.
As I continued to shut myself off from the good, the bad, and the ugly that makes being single so fun and transformative, I knew I had to make some significant changes in 2025. I wanted to embrace this year passionately with both hands and push myself out of my comfort zone to reenter the world of love, sex, and relationships.
So, when an invite for a solo date to The Museum of Desire in Melbourne landed in my hot little lap, I nervously jumped at the chance as I knew this would be the perfect place to start my ‘new year, new me’ journey.
Nestled on a quiet back street in the slightly-too-hip-for-me suburb of Collingwood, a world of wonder and sensory excitement awaits. I wasn’t sure what would be waiting for me behind the clitoral-shaped doors, but I quickly surprised myself with how willing I was to throw myself into the sexual deep end and how any fears of awkwardness or shame were swiftly swept away.
The Museum of Desire opened in late 2024 and is a modern art and entertainment experience designed to inspire, provoke and connect people. Exploring the notions of desire, love and sex across a number of interactive rooms and installations, the museum requires an open mind and heart to be fully appreciated, so don’t forget to leave your inhibitions and ego at the door.
The first installation fittingly invites you to surrender while a voice-over reassures you that there is “no shame here” and that it is time to “flirt with fantasy.” Although initially unsettling, this space allowed me to ease into what was ahead, and helped me shake off any hesitations. From this point forward, I was ready to let go and begin my self-discovery journey across several different rooms and exhibitions.
From feeling empowered and sexy in the mirror room – where you literally become part of the art – to taking a selfie with my top pulled up, which was later displayed in a projected gallery one room over, I undeniably stepped outside my comfort zone and had a blast while doing so.
Although The Museum of Desire is recommended to be enjoyed alongside a partner or friend, and I was notably the only single person there, I never felt judged or uncomfortable. In fact, I found it rather liberating.
A personal highlight was perusing ‘The Masturbatorium of Past Encounters’, which was filled with the weirdest and wackiest items that an undisclosed character had used in, or inherited from their sex life, providing some much-needed giggles and even some cheeky inspiration. Pearl undies, anyone?
Every exhibit had a distinct voice and explored a different idea of human connection. One of the main things that I loved about The Museum of Desire was that it truly felt like a celebration of bodies of all different shapes and sizes, as well as a place for respect – whether that was for someone else’s fetishes or preferences or their physical appearance.
The space made me feel both hopeful and excited for what’s to come (and to ahem cum) next as I navigate being single in my late twenties. I wouldn’t say I’ve ticked off my New Year’s Resolution quite yet, but this sure was a step in the right direction.
The Museum Of Desire is here for a good time, not a long time and is open at 92 Rupert St Collingwood.
Marisa Jayne is a Melbourne-based writer, podcaster and publicist who is in a relationship with her own thoughts. She lives by the motto ‘Happy, Pretty, Busy.’ You can find her on Instagram.
