Pleasure-Based Activism

How can we resist oppression that reduces people to their bodies, exploits labor, and dehumanizes as a primary tool for continued power? Pleasure-based activism is a personal and communal liberation from our own internalized negative and untrue thoughts derived from those who manipulated reality/society/institutions. Pleasure-based activism intentionally and naturally demands the inclusion of all humans and their right to pleasure, joy, balance, and rest. See the humanity in those doing the work by demanding less of them and fighting so that everyone has the resources to experience the highs of humanness. This can start with ourselves and granting ourselves permission, grace, and freedom to explore, to indulge, to laugh, and to love. We can set ourselves free from, "I have to be productive all the time to be valuable," by giving ourselves permission to rest and assigning meaning and learning the value of rest. We can set ourselves free from, "I should have a certain body and enviously compare myself to others," by connecting to our own bodies- body neutrality, body positivity, somatic practices that connect us to our bodies. We can begin to celebrate unique bodies and the innate beauty in all. I like to set myself free of needing to dress a certain way, by giving myself permission to wear only fabrics and designs that make me comfortable and free. Give yourself permission to be your full, multi-faceted self. Find spaces where you are welcome. Create space for everyone.