New Year, More Pleasure: How to Set Intentions You'll Actually Keep

As we step into a new year, many of us feel that familiar pull to set resolutions. But what if, instead of focusing on restriction and self-denial, we chose to allow more pleasure into our lives? This year, consider setting intentions that celebrate your body, your desires, and your right to experience joy, both alone and with partners.

Setting pleasure-focused New Year intentions isn't about indulgence without boundaries. It's about creating sustainable practices that honour your wellbeing, deepen your self-awareness, and strengthen your connections. Whether you're exploring solo or with a partner, these intentions can transform how you approach intimacy and pleasure throughout the year.

Why Pleasure Matters for Your Well-being

Pleasure isn't frivolous; it's fundamental to our physical and mental health. Regular experiences of pleasure release endorphins, reduce stress hormones, and strengthen our capacity for joy. When we allow more pleasure into our lives, we're investing in our overall wellbeing.

Yet many of us carry shame or guilt around seeking pleasure, especially sexual pleasure. This year offers an opportunity to challenge those limiting beliefs and create space for experiences that make you feel truly alive and connected to your body.

Setting Intentions That Actually Stick

The key to keeping New Year intentions lies in making them specific, achievable, and personally meaningful. Rather than overwhelming yourself with multiple dramatic changes, focus on one or two pleasure-focused goals that genuinely resonate with you.

Start Small and Be Specific

Instead of vague intentions like "have better sex," try something measurable: "Schedule 20 minutes of self-care twice a week" or "Have one conversation about desires with my partner each month." These specific, manageable goals create clear pathways to success.

Make Room in Your Schedule

Pleasure requires intentional time and space. Block out regular periods in your calendar for self-pleasure, intimate conversations, or sensual experiences. Treat these appointments with the same respect you'd give any important commitment.

Track Your Journey

Keep a simple journal noting what brings you pleasure, what you'd like to explore, and how you're feeling about your body and desires. This awareness helps you recognize patterns and celebrate progress.

Practical Pleasure Intentions to Consider

For Solo Exploration:

• Dedicate time each week to explore your body without pressure or goals
• Practice mindful breathing during intimate moments
• Experiment with different types of touch and sensation
• Learn about your anatomy through educational resources
• Create a pleasure-positive environment in your bedroom

For Communication and Connection:

• Schedule monthly check-ins with your partner about desires and boundaries
• Practice expressing what feels good in the moment
• Ask for what you want without apologizing
• Share one fantasy or curiosity each month
• Create rituals for intimacy beyond sexual encounters

For Mindset Shifts:

• Challenge one pleasure-negative thought each week
• Practice speaking positively about your body
• Explore pleasure through non-sexual activities (massage, delicious food, beautiful music)
• Read books or listen to podcasts about pleasure and sexuality

The Foundation: Consent and Communication

Any pleasure-focused intention must be built on a foundation of clear communication and enthusiastic consent. Whether you're exploring solo or with partners, regular check-ins about boundaries, desires, and comfort levels create the safety necessary for genuine pleasure.

Practice asking for consent in creative ways: "Would you like me to...?" or "How would you feel about trying...?" Make consent an ongoing conversation, not a one-time checkbox. Remember that consent can be withdrawn at any time, and that's always okay.

If you're in a relationship, consider creating a "yes/no/maybe" list together. This exercise helps you both understand each other's boundaries and interests without pressure in the moment.

Releasing Shame and Embracing Your Desires

Many of us learned early that pleasure, especially sexual pleasure, was something to be ashamed of or hidden. This year, consider making it an intention to challenge those messages and cultivate pleasure-positive beliefs.

Start by noticing when shame shows up around pleasure. Does it happen when you think about self-pleasure? When you want to ask for something specific? When you feel desire? Simply noticing these moments is the first step toward changing them.

Practice self-compassion when shame arises. Remind yourself that pleasure is natural, healthy, and your birthright. Consider working with a sex-positive therapist if shame feels overwhelming or persistent.

Tools for Your Pleasure Journey

Creating space for more pleasure sometimes means having the right tools and resources. This might include educational books, comfortable bedding, quality lubricants, or pleasure products designed to enhance your experiences.

If you're curious about adult toys, approach them as tools for exploration rather than necessities. Quality products can help you discover new sensations and learn more about your body's responses. When choosing any pleasure product, prioritize body-safe materials and reputable manufacturers.

Remember that pleasure tools don't replace human connection or communication: they enhance the experiences you're already creating. Whether you're exploring solo or with partners, the most important tool is your willingness to be present and curious about your own pleasure.

For those concerned about privacy, many companies including us here at Your Pleasure Toys offer completely discreet packaging and confidential delivery options, allowing you to explore new possibilities without any external judgment.

Building Sustainable Pleasure Practices

The most successful pleasure intentions become integrated into your regular life rather than existing as special occasions. This might mean incorporating sensual elements into your daily routine: taking luxurious baths, eating meals mindfully, or practicing gentle touch as part of your self-care.

Remember that pleasure exists on a spectrum. Not every intimate moment needs to be intensely sexual: sometimes pleasure is as simple as appreciating your body's strength, enjoying gentle touch, or feeling gratitude for your capacity to experience sensation.

Be patient with yourself as you develop these new patterns. Research shows it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit, so expect some ups and downs as you integrate more pleasure into your life.

Moving Forward with Intention

As you consider your pleasure-focused intentions for this new year, remember that this journey is uniquely yours. What brings you pleasure might be different from what works for others, and that's exactly as it should be.

Start where you feel comfortable and curious. Whether that's reading a book about sexuality, having an honest conversation with a partner, or simply spending more time appreciating your body, every step toward allowing more pleasure is meaningful.

The goal isn't to become a different person overnight: it's to gradually create more space for joy, connection, and sensual awareness in the life you're already living.

Your pleasure matters. Your desires are valid. And you deserve to feel good in your body and your relationships. This year, give yourself permission to explore what that means for you.

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