Postponing pleasure used to be something I took pride in when I wore my suffering like a badge of honor. The sad thing about this was that I simultaneously craved pleasure. I was caught up in the trap of believing I was somehow superior to others because I could withhold pleasure for such extended periods of time – as if my suffering created some sort of holier-than-thou halo effect that everyone was in awe of…   😉

Today I recognize the incredible necessity of pleasure in my life. It’s a non-negotiable MUST for me. Without it, I lose sight of what’s really important to me. I feel more tired than usual, I feel empty in some way, and I swear a lack of pleasure literally makes me look older than I am.

My #1 tip for making certain pleasure is a part of my life? It sounds simple and almost silly, but it’s something that is so easy to forget and overlook – especially when life gets busy and our list of responsibilities gets long.

I stopped postponing pleasure when I prioritized it and put it into my calendar. I block off time every week so I can be certain that something pleasurable is in my schedule. I even use a color (pink, of course!) for these time slots so that I know, even at a glance, that there’s something juicy, fun, and truly elevating awaiting me.

What kind of activities might these include? Manis and pedis, massages and facials, a phone date with a dear friend, reading for fun, time to sit quietly on my front porch and enjoy the setting sun, a nap, going for a walk with my sweetie, whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, a shopping date just for moi…

My question for you is, where are you postponing pleasure in your life? And what kinds of things will you start scheduling into your calendar right away?