[hamster-bamster]

This post has been inspired by the one on self-hatred.

On that thread, self-compassion is mentioned as an antidote. I think another one is cultivation of hedonism, a little bit at a time. There is a reason one of the symptoms of schizophrenia is called anhedonia.

So I thought that we could gather and build a list of things to do in cultivating hedonism. Someone already mentioned c-r-e-a-m-y shower gels. I would add luscious foods. For me there are just a few right now but I cherish them. They are: "cream-on-top" maple yogurts, the small yellowish-orange mango variety called Champaigne, and pomegranates. Pomegranates are laborious to open (fill a big bowl with cold water and cut it up underwater, so that the arils descend to the bottom and all the white stuff rises to the top, then skim off the white stuff and drain) but are well worth it for the sheer pleasure. Sure, mangoes probably supply a day's worth of vit A and pomegranates protect against Alzheimer, but that it is now why I eat them. I do know the difference - I eat blueberries just for the antioxidants, with no particular pleasure, and eat meat for iron because it is needed for my recovery from anemia.

Please add on. I know I am very lucky in that (with foods) luscious and healthful coincide, but I hope others can also supply examples of when the most pleasurable is at the same time good for you.

For me it would be a good glass of wine. I don't drink much anymore, but every so often I love to sit down with a glass of wine and enjoy.

[venusss]

Clothes and jewelry from that little flea market... I am great at finding cheap stuff that doesn't look cheap at all.

Cosmetics in general. Body glitter. You don't need to be Twilight fan or Kesha to love body glitter (of course, I have lot of cosmetic products that look like i stole them from some crazy rock star (or Kesha), due to manic shopping and ability to find weird stuff).

Roasted nori.

Eurovision. I know it's only three evenings in May,but you can follow the preselection and crush on that guy who represented Israel few years ago. Or that Azeri chick from 2009, whatever.
(and of course you can buy a glitter dress, even if you wear it only at home, while watching the final).

Good tea. I am not talking teabacks... buy some nice white tea or darjeeling. If you like spicey stuff, there is yogi or dhata masala (although tea snobs frown on these).

[Trippin2.0]

L0NG luxurious HOT bubblebaths. Reading a great book. Manis and pedis. Waxing my legs and eyebrows, as opposed to a quick shave and pluck. Buying an item I want, just bcoz I can. Long talks about anything, everything and nothing( I miss those ALOT ) Listening to my favourite tunes at full volume, and singing at the top of my lungs. Hot chocolate. Pasta dishes. Pizza. Chocolate sauce. Writing poetry. Walking to the beach.

[hamster-bamster]

Your posts inspire me. Reading good poetry. Plain HOT black tea, straight, without spices. Ice-cold fat-free plain Lifeway kefir by the glass (US-centric, sorry).

Hot chocolate me too.

Thoughts and fantasies of sex... even for those of us who do not actually have it!

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

Waxing my ... eyebrows, as opposed to a quick ... pluck.

And I started going to threading - an Indian tradition of eye brow shaping - it is almost painless and I love the results, my eyebrows are now - alas - among the few things I love about my body - but, at least something!

[Trippin2.0]

How does threading work. I know an indian lady (related by marriage) that does it, but haven't had a chance to ask her about it.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

How does threading work. I know an indian lady (related by marriage) that does it, but haven't had a chance to ask her about it.

It is literally the practitioner taking a short thread, the client positioning her hands in a special way to extend the skin around the eyebrows, and the practitioner making very brisk, short movements keeping the thread next to the skin, sort of diagonally. Since I have never observed it from aside, though, I am not a good person to explain.

[Trippin2.0]

Wow, sounds interesting. I might just give Jasmita a call thanks!

[BuggsBunny]

Disaster movie marathons and ice cream, and a big, tall, ice cold Pepsi. That's my cure for anhedonia!

[hamster-bamster]

Petting my cats!

[BlueInanna]

Swimming naked under the moonlight on a summer night

[Merlin]

A long, hot bath. R-rated activities.

[BlueInanna]

Originally Posted by Merlin

A long, hot bath. R-rated activities.

hee hee I love it!

[hamster-bamster]

Pedicures. And I do not read trashy magazines, I mindfully enjoy every moment of this rare treat.

Child swings.

[Confusedinomicon]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

Petting my cats!

Grooming my cat.

I love it when he doesn't smell like cat litter. n.n!!

ALSO!!!!

Playing card games. I actually have the attention span to finish these.

[hamster-bamster]

Restorative yoga. Cannot imagine my life without it now.

Reading this board !!!!

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by BlueInanna

Swimming naked under the moonlight on a summer night

Something more subdued and mundane but along the same lines is surprisingly pleasant. This is for the ladies on the board only .

Walking braless under a t-shirt. I simply ran out of bras and while they were in the wash, wanted to take a walk. So I decided - what the heck, no one knows me anyway.

It is so pleasant! Both the sense of motion and the friction of fabric against the nipples; highly recommended. And it is such an easily available pleasure. No cost!

[Vigodits]

Right now. Sour cream and cucumbers. Picked fresh from the garden and seasoned with fresh chopped dill, also from the garden. I've been living on them. Such a sensual and tasty treat. One has to find sensual as he can find.

[BlueInanna]

I am taking bra off now.

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

Something more subdued and mundane but along the same lines is surprisingly pleasant. This is for the ladies on the board only .

Walking braless under a t-shirt. I simply ran out of bras and while they were in the wash, wanted to take a walk. So I decided - what the heck, no one knows me anyway.

It is so pleasant! Both the sense of motion and the friction of fabric against the nipples; highly recommended. And it is such an easily available pleasure. No cost!

And going out in my moonlit garden to find a cucumber. And yes one should find sensual wherever one can, meowwww!

Originally Posted by Vigodits

Right now. Sour cream and cucumbers. Picked fresh from the garden and seasoned with fresh chopped dill, also from the garden. I've been living on them. Such a sensual and tasty treat. One has to find sensual as he can find.

[Setso]

I LOVE THIS FORUM!!
If ya ladies have any trouble finding a cucu-
Uh nvm

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Mine would be floating on the lake or water, heat anywhere any time, same with humidity, anything that takes physical energy, and wearing the least amount of clothing possible.

The last one sounds kinda bad, but it isn't. I still cover what I should, but I love feeling the air on my skin, a breeze, and overall comfort. Most clothes are not that comfortable, bras with underwire, jean seams, and underwear!! Why??? Do we do that? I used to bundle right on up, and it's cold here so in the winter it's a need, but I am not gonna do it anymore unless I have too.

Hamster- awesome with the no bra thing, I'm not there yet, I tried a few times but I had a hoodie on and still felt uncomfortable in public for no reason. I'll have to give it another try. The first thing I take off when I come in my house is the stupid bra, before the shoes even.

[polar_bear1]

70% dark organic chocolate (bitter) i.e. Green&Blacks... 2 bites and I´m satisfied
Also, good hot tea, hot foot bath with minerals, a warm blanket and a snuggly purring cat.
Food- ad fresh herbs to your meals. Ginger and Spinach in boosts. Ohh Im getting hungry heheh. I could go on about food- healthy treats but won´t this time, it would take forever.

[Vigodits]

Originally Posted by Anika

awesome with the no bra thing, I'm not there yet, I tried a few times but I had a hoodie on and still felt uncomfortable in public for no reason. I

It is amazing how strong the cultural influence is and how hard it is to escape.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Vigodits

Right now. Sour cream and cucumbers. Picked fresh from the garden and seasoned with fresh chopped dill, also from the garden. I've been living on them. Such a sensual and tasty treat. One has to find sensual as he can find.

Oh, I should try that. I eat them with greek yogurt (which is also pretty good). Good for you for growing your own veggies and culinary herbs!!