When Chris, 45, gazes into the mirror, he does not merely see his reflection—he encounters the object of his affection. The yoga instructor from California identifies as autosexual, experiencing romantic and sexual attraction toward himself. Though unconventional to some, Chris describes his self-love as an entirely natural expression of who he is.
Chris first recognized his distinctive feelings around the age of 12. While his peers were beginning to form crushes on others, he found himself deeply captivated by his own presence and physicality. Speaking with the Daily Mail, he shared that this realization crystallized during a pivotal summer afternoon when he returned home from the beach. Clad in a small pair of yellow swim trunks, he caught sight of himself in the mirror and felt an electric surge of attraction.
At the age of 13, Chris acted on these feelings for the first time, moving towards his reflection and sharing a kiss. He vividly recalls the experience as transformative, marked by an overwhelming sense of wonder and intense emotional connection. That moment, he says, initiated what he now calls his “primary partnership”—a profound and enduring bond with himself, encompassing romance, emotional intimacy, and sexuality.
Chris refers to his practice of engaging intimately with his reflection as “mirroring,” describing it as both deeply sensual and spiritual. He emphasizes that this connection is not rooted in vanity but in genuine affection, explaining that he invests great care in his appearance as an act of love rather than narcissism.
Although Chris has engaged in relationships with others and is presently involved in a long-distance relationship with a supportive partner, he maintains that he remains the central love of his life. His boyfriend, he notes, not only accepts but sometimes participates in Chris’s unique expressions of intimacy, enhancing their shared experiences.
It was not until adulthood that Chris encountered the term “autosexuality,” realizing he was not alone in his experiences. In the past, however, his intense self-connection sometimes caused tension with romantic partners. He recalls an instance when a former girlfriend ended their relationship by accusing him of being more invested in himself than in her.
Sex therapists define autosexuality as a spectrum, where individuals may be primarily or exclusively attracted to themselves, while still forming connections with others. For some, the attraction to oneself coexists with external relationships; for others, it remains the dominant focus.
Chris recalls turning to his reflection during moments of creative block, finding that reconnecting with himself—sometimes even in fitting room mirrors—could restore his inspiration.
Addressing misconceptions, Chris strongly distinguishes autosexuality from narcissism. He argues that narcissism involves seeking superiority and validation at the expense of others, whereas his self-love was, for many years, a private, even hidden, part of his identity. He describes it as a “forbidden love affair” with himself, cherished and nurtured away from public view.
Source: Daily Mail
