Real Pleasure vs. Mindless Indulgences

Magnetic Creator

Hi friend, welcome back! I owe you a huge apology to kick things off. I missed publishing an episode last week, thinking it might go unnoticed, but boy, was I wrong! Thanks to your texts and messages, it’s clear you missed the podcast. So, you didn’t miss out on anything last week, and I'm here to ensure it doesn’t happen again. New episodes are coming your way every Wednesday from here on out!

Diving Into Pleasure

This episode is all about one of my favorite topics—pleasure. We’re exploring the difference between real and fake pleasure, understanding these differences, and why they are absolutely crucial.

Why Understanding Pleasure Matters

Pleasure is essential—it forces us to be present, to fully inhabit our bodies and embrace life as it happens. In our hyper-stimulated, overly busy world, many of us forget to truly engage with being alive. We’re often multitasking our enjoyment away—I’m totally guilty of this, like when I distract myself with podcasts instead of enjoying my walks in nature.

The Problem with Fake Pleasure

We are constantly bombarded with messages about what will bring us happiness and pleasure, usually tied to buying more stuff. But real happiness isn’t about possessions—it’s about experiencing life. One of my first teachers in energy work, Alexander Lowen, taught me that real pleasure comes from being in harmony with our true selves and allowing life’s energy to flow through us freely. Blocking this flow can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression, so it's pivotal to let pleasure move through us.

Real vs. Fake Pleasure: Examples from My Life

Let’s look at some real-life examples to illustrate real versus fake pleasure. When we visit our friends who are wine connoisseurs, they share special vintage wines with us. This whole experience—showing the bottle, uncorking it, the first smell, the taste—it’s a rich, sensory experience, filled with pleasure.

Contrast that with the nights when I’m wiped out from work and open a cheap bottle of wine to unwind. It might seem similar, but the experience leaves me feeling drained and blah. The same goes for eating: a quiet, savored meal can be amazing, whereas eating hurriedly while distracted is far from pleasurable.

How to Foster More Real Pleasure

Identifying what genuinely brings us pleasure is personal and vital. For instance, some of my clients find joy in long runs—it energizes them, while the thought alone exhausts me! It’s about recognizing what makes you feel alive and vibrant.

Creating Your Pleasure List

I encourage everyone to create two lists: what truly nourishes you and what depletes you. This simple exercise can guide you to make more room in your life for real, enriching experiences. Once we KNOW the things that feed us, we can incorporate more of them into our lives.

Closing Thoughts

We have only one life, and there’s no room for wasting it on things that leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled. This week, I urge you to seek out experiences that make you feel fully alive and connected.

See You Next Time