"To reclaim the essential facets of your sexual health, it's time to affirm pleasure as your birthright, not an afterthought. The further you step into your self-worth, inclusive of pleasure, the more solid you'll feel in your autonomy."
Dr Holly Richmond
As the summer ends, these last few bulletins are all the more special
This week, we explore pleasure
In the spirit of the late great Dr Ruth
This week's affirmation is…
I Deserve Pleasure
Je Mérite Du Plaisir
Today is the day to stop pushing aside our own needs and desires
However, prioritizing pleasure and joy is crucial for a balanced and fulfilling life
To help you embrace and prioritize pleasure, I've curated a selection of resources to inspire and guide you on this journey
Enjoy with week's newsletter
Let's begin this week with one of my favorite artists, Janelle Monae
THE COMPLETE AGE OF PLEASURE SET LIST
In Monáe's world pleasure means some obvious things — material comfort, self-love, carefully maintained ties with intimates and an open-ended approach to alluring strangers
Next, our podcast selections
Some of the best podcasts discussing pleasure, sex, love, and relationships with others and oneself
A pleasurable reminder that simple pleasures all throughout the day matter
5 WAYS TO FEEL PLEASURE RIGHT NOW
Five quick and easy "pleasure breaks" that can be done in most places in 5 minutes or less
Since pleasure must be felt in the body, these are focused around the five senses
If you have time for only one, choose the sense that you feel the least connected to
The more you practice sensing and feeling pleasure, the easier and stronger it will become
Now ladies and femmes, let's get in formation
WHY WOMEN SHOULD MAKE PLEASURE A PRIORITY: TIPS FROM INTIMACY COACH MICHAELA BOEHM
Prioritizing pleasure often falls to the bottom of the to-do list, because women simply don’t know how or are dealing with past negative sexual experiences
Hopefully, the ideas presented here can be a supportive starting point to experiencing more pleasure and turn on in your life
We continue learning, and getting back in touch with your pleasure, with an amazing book by intimacy expert from Michaela Boehm
by Michaela Boehm
In this life-changing book, intimacy expert and counselor Michaela Boehm shares practical rituals and exercises to show you simple, everyday changes that will revolutionize your connection to yourself, your life, and your relationships
Beyond the outdated stereotypes of femininity lies the ancient wisdom of the Wild Woman archetype, a path to reconnecting with our "body intelligence"
Finally.... our selections are a film and a series inspired by the film
starring Tracy Camilla Johns
She’s Gotta Have It is a raw and messy masterpiece that features a non-conventional storytelling structure, sensual cinematography, and an overall perspective on sexual politics that still feels like a shock to the system thirty years later
The title of the film suggests a bawdy mockery of female promiscuity, but this couldn't be further from the truth, as director Spike Lee, in his debut film, has sincere respect and love for his lusty protagonist, never making her the butt of a joke and always giving her voice and agency
And lastly...
starring DeWanda Wise
A wonderful update and tribute to the original film, Spike Lee has literally encapsulated the Black Female Millennial in his artistic, beautiful, imaginative, worldly, large, individualistic, unifying, poetic show
The cinematography is gorgeous and composed
The art within the show truly captures what we’ve been trying to show the world as black women
We see the world through a fine-tuned, colorful lens
The dialogue is poetic and carefully crafted
It is intelligent, funny, thought-provoking, inspiring, and tearful
Enjoy!
Have a great week!
AFFIRM
"I deserve love, friendship, and laughter, I deserve peace, grace, and rest
Not because of beauty, not because of intelligence, nor because I work hard
Not because of riches nor privilege nor stature
I deserve it because I exist
I deserve and so do you"
Tamara Charese
As always, affirmations from previous weeks are available here
You'll be hearing more from me soon. Promise.
Tamara Charese
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