Photo Credit: adenephotography.co.za
Pleasure is a glass of Shiraz and a book of poetry. It's dancing under the moon, saying yes, saying no, biting off a square of gourmet chocolate. Pleasure is sitting at an Italian cafe, drinking a cappuccino, watching passersby. It's wearing pink lipstick, sending yourself a love letter, sleeping in or taking a nap.
Pleasure is so many things and yet, we hardly find time for it or don't think we deserve it. Even the smallest pleasurable thing gets put off or branded too much work.
No more excuses! Here are a few ways to sneak pleasure into your everyday.
Turn the yuck into yay!
Hate going to the gym, but want to work out? What's the most pleasurable workout you could do? A dance class, yoga, a walk after dinner...
Can't find time to work on your novel, but really want to write one? What's the most pleasurable step you can take toward getting it written? Writing for five minutes in the morning while sipping tea, taking a notepad into the bubble bath, writing in the park on your lunch break...
Let yourself be seduced by the task at hand. Turn it into play. Ask, what's the most pleasurable way I can accomplish this?
Make it easy.
I used to date this guy who'd always tell me, "Cassandra, life is easy." And then flash me a huge grin. Honestly, I wanted to reply with something like, "Well, I'm so glad it's easy for you," and then punch him in the face. But in retrospect, I see that he was right.
Things don't have to be complicated. I know this sounds cheesy, but it's about surrendering to the flow of life. It's about not getting too wrapped up in the details and how things will work out and just trusting that they will.
Also, you don't need a lot of things to be happy. Although I don't fault anyone for wanting material things, I know from first hand experience that you can be happy with less. Life gets easier when you're not chained to constant desire and trying to maintain all the stuff you've already acquired. Try letting go of some of your possessions (do you really need that dress you haven't worn in 6 months?) and see how you feel.
Pleasure is so many things and yet, we hardly find time for it or don't think we deserve it. Even the smallest pleasurable thing gets put off or branded too much work.
No more excuses! Here are a few ways to sneak pleasure into your everyday.
Turn the yuck into yay!
Hate going to the gym, but want to work out? What's the most pleasurable workout you could do? A dance class, yoga, a walk after dinner...
Can't find time to work on your novel, but really want to write one? What's the most pleasurable step you can take toward getting it written? Writing for five minutes in the morning while sipping tea, taking a notepad into the bubble bath, writing in the park on your lunch break...
Let yourself be seduced by the task at hand. Turn it into play. Ask, what's the most pleasurable way I can accomplish this?
Make it easy.
I used to date this guy who'd always tell me, "Cassandra, life is easy." And then flash me a huge grin. Honestly, I wanted to reply with something like, "Well, I'm so glad it's easy for you," and then punch him in the face. But in retrospect, I see that he was right.
Things don't have to be complicated. I know this sounds cheesy, but it's about surrendering to the flow of life. It's about not getting too wrapped up in the details and how things will work out and just trusting that they will.
Also, you don't need a lot of things to be happy. Although I don't fault anyone for wanting material things, I know from first hand experience that you can be happy with less. Life gets easier when you're not chained to constant desire and trying to maintain all the stuff you've already acquired. Try letting go of some of your possessions (do you really need that dress you haven't worn in 6 months?) and see how you feel.
via we heart it
Stop playing the beat-up game.
So you drank a frappuccino with whipped cream, skipped your workout, or watched The Walking Dead marathon instead of doing something productive. So what?!! Does any of it really matter in the grand scheme of things?
You hereby have permission to take a break, "cheat" on a regimen, and be lazy just because it feels good.
Allow yourself the pleasure of the moment, even if it means having a chocolate covered strawberry instead of a salad. Give yourself a break every now and then.
Forget the rules.
Do you stop wearing white after Labor Day or pass on the most beautiful pair of 5 inch heels because you're too tall and could never get away with that?
Do yourself a favor and chuck "the rules" in the garbage, please.
And this doesn't just apply to fashion. Do whatever interests you, even if it's unconventional. What's the worst that can happen? You get a few stares and whispers? And does it matter if you're happy and having a good time? Nope.
So what's seducing you right now? What small step can you take towards pleasure today? Go ahead, I dare you ;)
So you drank a frappuccino with whipped cream, skipped your workout, or watched The Walking Dead marathon instead of doing something productive. So what?!! Does any of it really matter in the grand scheme of things?
You hereby have permission to take a break, "cheat" on a regimen, and be lazy just because it feels good.
Allow yourself the pleasure of the moment, even if it means having a chocolate covered strawberry instead of a salad. Give yourself a break every now and then.
Forget the rules.
Do you stop wearing white after Labor Day or pass on the most beautiful pair of 5 inch heels because you're too tall and could never get away with that?
Do yourself a favor and chuck "the rules" in the garbage, please.
And this doesn't just apply to fashion. Do whatever interests you, even if it's unconventional. What's the worst that can happen? You get a few stares and whispers? And does it matter if you're happy and having a good time? Nope.
So what's seducing you right now? What small step can you take towards pleasure today? Go ahead, I dare you ;)
