Pleasure. Is it only for special occasions?

Last week, I had the opportunity to be coached by one of my all-time favorite leaders, Dr. Shefali Tsabary (with tremendous thanks to my creative and deeply loving coach of over 5 years, Amber, who arranged this gift).

Dr. Shefali cut right to the chase in our time. “What is one big challenge for you right now, Sarah?”

I vulnerably shared my deeply intimate challenge with one of my heroines.

Then she said (summarizing):

“Your job right now is to dismiss any cultural stories, religious stories, family stories, about how hard this challenge must be. No. Your job is to see and experience the rich pleasure that’s available to you right now IN this ‘challenge.’ Identify the pleasure of sight, sound, smell, touch… the amazing experience of being fully alive - which is experienced when you’re fully present.”

It hadn’t occurred to me that pleasure was even an option with the one challenge I posed.

Upon reflection, I saw that one of the stories I had running inside said: “Pleasure? Isn’t that exclusive to sexual intimacy and things that are super unique and novel?”

Cultural, religious, and family messaging constructed that story inside of me in the past. 100%. But today, I have space to explore if that’s true. (It’s not true, by the way!)

Pleasure is defined by Oxford Languages as “a feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment."

Within 48 hours of speaking with Dr. Shefali, I saw a massive shift in my relationship to my challenge, to my pleasure, and to what’s possible. My challenge felt miles away and pleasure felt like my birthright.

This is because I chose to adopt a new practice that I came up with on the spot, which was to keep a daily PLEASURE LOG of things that make me feel good, happy, and alive, on a moment-by-moment basis. (I just keep it in Notes on my iPhone each day.)

This includes physical sensations, wins at work, moments with my daughter, levity in my spirit, delicious food, etc.

I’ll share what my exact Pleasure Log was from yesterday below, to give a real example. Doing this practice has been immediately life-changing.

Application

What if YOU took just one week to keep a Pleasure Log of every good thing, wonderful sensation, and lovely experience each day? If you’re open, I urge you to take the next 7 days and to give yourself a similar practice.

Sarah’s Pleasure Log from May 2:

I got plenty of sound sleep, and woke up feeling rested, with joy and ease in my body.
My morning turmeric and cinnamon drink felt nourishing and delicious.
My outfit is soft, comfortable, fashionable, and I feel great in it.
The breeze on my face and body felt so good when I walked my daughter into her school.
My daughter grabbed my hand to hold while we walked. Feeing her little hand was so sweet. I cherish these moments.
Watching the palm trees sway in the wind was magical. They look like they are dancing with nature!
The flowers and blooms are alive everywhere. The colors and acreage are impressive!
My client brought me a bottle of dry sparkling rose, which is my favorite! And she had no idea. Surprise gifts find me everywhere.
It was an amazing, productive, creative VIP day with my client. Everything felt invigorating and easy. Time flew by. I love my clients and my work.
My Thai, plant-based lunch was so yummy. Every bite was mindful and nourishing.
Listening to "Second Star to the Right" from Peter Pan (classical piano version) on my drive home felt nostalgic and moving.
My air-conditioned house felt really good on a warm day.
Sipping on my bubbly in the backyard at sunset felt calm and loving. I feel connected to myself.
The stream of water flowing through Palm Springs is visually beautiful, thanks to all the rain this year.