Pleasure, Pleasure, Pure Pleasure! The power of pleasure for wellbeing and self-care

I have just returned from a wonderful trip to fabulous Italy. We started in the Dolomites, skiing, and travelled from there to the Cinque Terre, through Tuscany, and finished in marvellous Rome. The Italians have a special relationship with pleasure, and it inspired me in so many ways.

I have always loved skiing - the exhilaration and joy of being in the snow-covered mountains, skiing down the slopes with the wind in my hair and adrenaline in my veins. There’s something so invigorating about holding just enough control to feel safe, yet letting go enough to truly enjoy it. This trip, I was also filled with awe and delight at the delicious food and the attention to aesthetic beauty in Italy.

Historically, I’ve sought food for its nutritional value - fuel for my body - over food that simply tantalizes the senses. But this time, I embraced the Italian way of doing things and chose what appealed most to my taste buds. I experienced flavours I’m still dreaming of. And in the process, I became even more aware of how brilliantly we are created - with a sensory system so primed for enjoyment that it encourages us to care for our bodies, these beautiful vessels that make life possible.

Many of us were raised with a puritanical view of pleasure. We were taught that the “pleasures of the flesh” might pull us away from spirituality and success. My trip showed me that it’s actually the other way around. Pleasure brings us into the present moment. It connects us with our bodies, our joy, our aliveness - and this connection is what draws us closer to our spiritual selves, to others, and to the Divine.

It’s the rigid rules, restrictions, and abstentions that rob us of vibrancy. Of course, as I always say, balance is everything. Chasing pleasure at all costs can turn into attachment or addiction, which ironically pushes true pleasure away. But with a beginner’s mind, we can simply delight in the pleasures around us. When we privilege those pleasures and tune into them fully, pleasure becomes a way of being.

In ancient Roman times, pleasure sometimes tipped into gluttony and distortion. But that feels like history. The Italians we met during our travels offered us quality over quantity. We tasted olive oil that exploded with flavour - touching the nose, the tongue, the mind. We ate pastries made with hand-ground meal, ricotta cheese, and no sugar - just fruit. Light, delicate, and exquisite. Just a mouthful or two, enough to tantalize and delight, not overload.

We walked from village to village in the Cinque Terre, the buildings painted in soft, intentional colours, with window boxes overflowing with flowers. The attention to detail gave us a deeper sense of history, culture, and the soul of the place. As we climbed the many stairs out of the villages and up the hills, our reward was the view - vineyards, lemon orchards, wildflowers - and the joy of it kept us going without a second thought for how many steps we’d taken.

And of course, a blog about pleasure wouldn’t be complete without mentioning sexual pleasure. For some, this topic has been overshadowed by shame, misinformation, or unhealthy narratives. But sexual pleasure is a natural, essential part of health and self-care. Whether experienced alone, with one partner, or with more than one, it’s something to honour, not hide. One of my coaching clients recently said to me, “Sex isn’t stealing my sleep - it’s enhancing it and filling my cup.” I couldn’t agree more. If there’s anything standing between you and the sexual pleasure you deserve, perhaps now is the moment to gently remove that something - inspired by the wonderful Italians!

It’s no surprise the Mediterranean diet is considered the healthiest in the world—and that Italy is one of the most beloved tourist destinations, with over 60 million visitors each year (especially now, in this Jubilee year). It’s no surprise the Italians are celebrated for their art, music, fashion, design, romance, and sensuality.

Because pleasure is a gateway - to joy, to intimacy, to gratitude, and to connection.

So here’s my message to you today: Privilege pleasure in your life.

Don’t live an orthorexic, over-controlled life. Don’t get so busy, stressed, and disciplined that you forget how to enjoy yourself. Life is short, and every second is precious. Make time every single day for pleasure. It’s part of self-care - the part that fills your bucket, ignites your creativity, keeps you smiling, and helps you feel amazing. Build yourself a "pleasure chest", and fill it with things that delight your senses, so when you need a little pleasure in your life, you can dive in and easily find something to bring you pleasure.

Pleasure is the roadmap to living life fully. And I wish you pleasurable, sensual treats at every turn - ones you’re wide open to receiving and enjoying.

With Love,

Sue