Purposefully Pursuing Pleasure: Reclaiming Courage, Connection, and Creativity

The Golden Rejoining: My Year of Kintsugi

I’ve been practicing intentional disruption. While I never officially announced this outside of the conversation I had with my former director, two years ago, I took a leap many would consider unconventional. I stepped away from my faculty role at a top university and declared a personal sabbatical: My Year of Kintsugi. Inspired by the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, this year became a metaphor for my own journey, where during this time, I began to learn more about my own fragmented life experiences weave their lessons into a renewed narrative that reflected purpose, compassion, and beauty.

This year-long practice allowed me to confront my wounded inner child, unlearn shame, and embrace radical self-acknowledgement while I frequently sat in solitude, savored nature, and experimented with creative expression. A symbolic moment during this transformation was when I coordinated a boudoir photo shoot—a vulnerable act that celebrated my resilience and redefined how I viewed old versions of myself. Voice journaling and other forms of artistic expression amidst serene landscapes prompted me to repair the fractured pieces of my story that took place during key moments in my life.

This process taught me a profound truth: life’s contrasts —our undesirable or seemingly unrepairable broken moments—are the foundation of our beauty. They are the stories that make us whole. The stories that make us human.

This deeply personal experience set the stage for something greater: a movement to normalize the pursuit of pleasure as a foundational pillar for wellbeing, creativity, connection, and innovation.

Purposefully Pursuing Pleasure Defined

Pleasure is not frivolity; it is fuel. It is the spark that ignites creativity, connection, and resilience. ‘Purposefully Pursuing Pleasure’ is more than indulgence; it’s an intentional choice to infuse joy, depth, and restoration into our daily lives.

For me, ‘Purposefully Pursuing Pleasure’ means intentionally choosing people, places, platforms, and practices that evoke unconditional love, curiosity, safety, and flow. It’s about self-accountability and designing a life that is both restorative and inspiring, anchored in the belief that our well-being is the foundation of our contributions to the world.

Science supports this: pleasure is tied to dopamine release, which enhances motivation, learning, and emotional resilience. Studies in psychology and neuroscience reveal that positive experiences improve cognitive function, deepen interpersonal relationships, and foster innovation. When we approach pleasure as purposeful, we build the capacity to face challenges with courage and compassion, transforming pleasure into a tool for personal growth and societal impact.

From Educator to Experience Designer: A Call for Intentional Disruption

As an educator, I valued the structured learning environments I facilitated. But through my sabbatical, I’ve learned the power of stepping off the beaten path and discovered a broader calling: to become an example, a collaborator, and fellow human exploring what life has to offer beyond professional accomplishments. Leaving academia to immerse myself in pleasure-driven exploration was an intentional disruption—a choice to break free from the hustle mentality and redefine success.

In this new creative chapter, I’ve embraced storytelling and experience design as powerful vehicles to nurture curiosity, courage, and creativity. Whether curating intimate workshops on sensual awakening or developing traveling, multi-sensory experiences, my mission remains the same: to cultivate spaces where people feel seen, safe, and inspired to grow while making new connections.

Pleasure, when pursued with purpose, is transformative. It’s the antidote to burnout, a catalyst for innovation, and a bridge to meaningful relationships. This realization birthed Purposefully Pursuing Pleasure – a series of enrichment offerings I’ve been designing to explore how pleasure can revolutionize how we live, learn, lead, and love.

The Case for Purposeful Pleasure in Our Collective Future

Our society often undervalues pleasure, treating it as secondary to productivity. But in truth, pleasure is a necessity, not a luxury. Pleasure isn’t just personal—it’s pivotal to our collective well-being. By redefining its role in our lives, we unlock opportunities to:

• Innovate: Pleasure activates areas of the brain associated with idea generation and problem-solving.

• Connect: Shared pleasurable experiences build empathy and foster stronger relationships.

• Lead: Leaders who embrace pleasure as a personal wellbeing practice are more emotionally intelligent and they inspire trust, collaboration, and resilience in their teams.

• Wellbeing: Intentionally pursuing pleasure helps us release trauma, break cycles of shame, and rediscover joy. Cultivating joy and intimacy reduces stress and improves mental health.

These principles form the foundation of my Purposefully Pursuing Pleasure enrichment offerings. While still in development and more details on how to enroll will be available soon, I can share that my offerings blend experience design, storytelling, and scientific research to explore how pleasure can reshape how we live, learn, love, and lead. Additionally, by redefining pleasure, we create a world where flourishing is not reserved for the few but accessible to all.

Themes and Benefits: Embracing Intentional Disruption

This journey is guided by themes that reflect the essence of purposeful pleasure:

• Intentional Disruptions: Stepping away from “business as usual” to reflect and realign.

• Pleasure Redefined: Embracing joy and connection as vital to success and well-being.

• Sabbaticals for Self-Acknowledgment: Creating space to honor life’s transitions.

• Storytelling & Experience Design: Using narrative and sensory experiences to process our lived experience and cultivate community and creativity.

By leaning into these practices, we can collectively reimagine leadership, education, and innovation, creating a world where pleasure becomes a catalyst for progress.

A Call to Journey Together

As I navigate this evolving path into my next chapter, I am no longer just an educator— nor am I here to serve as a guru, influencer, or expert— I am a guide, a collaborator, and fellow human navigating life’s complexities alongside other impact-minded explorers interested in uniting with me in embracing life’s golden rejoining. Through my ‘Purposefully Pursuing Pleasure’ experiential offerings, I challenge you to define and pursue intentional disruption in a way that allows you to experience the freedom in reimagining your relationship with pleasure, vulnerability and resilience. Together, we’ll explore how intentional disruptions can unlock courage, creativity, and connection in every aspect of our lives.

Let us honor our fragmented life moments and rediscover the beauty in becoming whole.

A Vision for the Future

This movement is not about escapism; it’s about transformation. When we purposefully pursue pleasure, we reclaim our humanity and tap into our full potential. By embedding pleasure into leadership, learning, and innovation, we redefine what’s possible for individuals and communities alike.

So, I leave you with this invitation: Dare to pause. Explore what lights you up. And never hide from what makes you the beautiful work of art that you are.

The golden rejoining begins here, but this is only the beginning. Please, BARE With Me.

To be updated about the Purposefully Pursuing Pleasure enrichment offerings and other ways we can purposefully pursue pleasure together be sure to sign up at MsMarisha.com.

Redefining the Human Experience Through Pleasure: The Role of Experience Design & Storytelling

In a world obsessed with hustle culture and relentless productivity, the notion of pleasure often feels like an afterthought—reserved for weekends, vacations, or fleeting indulgences. But what if pleasure were central to how we live, lead, learn, and love? What if it were the spark that transforms mundane routines into moments of growth, connection, and innovation?

Our human existence – at least here in the Western world – seems to be increasingly defined by complexity and disconnection, yet we know the way we design and share experiences shapes the quality of our lives. As an educator-turned-experience designer and storyteller, I’ve seen firsthand how intentional, well-crafted experiences can unlock individual potential, build bridges through meaningful dialogue, and generate fresh ideas – to name a few benefits.

After taking an unconventional leap into a year-long sabbatical that required sacrifices across every aspect of my life, I unexpectedly spent much of my time exploring how purposeful pleasure can be a driver of holistic wellbeing and societal transformation. The answer lies in rethinking our approach, integrating experience design and storytelling into every facet of our personal and professional lives.

Yet, despite their profound impact, experience design and storytelling remain underutilized tools in shaping how we learn, lead, and innovate. It's time we change that.

The Science of Pleasure: More Than Just a Luxury

Neuroscience tells us that pleasure isn’t just a feel-good state—it’s a powerful motivator for human behavior. When we experience pleasure, the brain releases dopamine, enhancing focus, creativity, and emotional resilience. Studies have shown that positive emotional states can significantly improve learning outcomes, decision-making, and collaboration.

For example, Google’s renowned 20% Time policy, which encourages employees to pursue personal passion projects, has birthed innovations like Gmail and Google News. By creating an environment where curiosity and joy thrive, they’ve demonstrated that pleasure isn’t a distraction—it’s a driver of success.

Experience Design: Crafting Meaningful Encounters

At its core, experience design is about creating intentional, emotionally resonant interactions that leave lasting impressions. Think of how Apple reimagined the retail experience with its minimalist, interactive stores or how wellness brand Calm uses sensory design to turn a simple meditation app into a sanctuary for the mind. These are not just services; they are experiences that engage, inspire, and elevate.

In my own work, I’ve used experience design to transform classrooms, corporate wellness programs, and community spaces into environments where people feel seen, valued, and inspired. By integrating sensory elements like lighting, sound, and scent, we can evoke pleasure, deepen focus, and foster genuine connection.

Storytelling: The Universal Human Connector

Stories are how we make sense of the world. They build empathy, foster connection, and inspire action. Take Patagonia, for instance—a brand that doesn’t just sell outdoor gear but weaves stories of environmental stewardship into its marketing, fostering a loyal community of changemakers.

In education and leadership, storytelling has the power to bridge divides and create shared meaning. I’ve seen firsthand how sharing my own journey—of leaving academia, embracing the discomfort of vulnerability, and pursuing pleasure as a form of self-reclamation—has inspired others to rethink their narratives. Storytelling isn’t just about telling; it’s about inviting others to see themselves in the story.

Pleasure as a Catalyst for Wellbeing, Learning, and Leadership

Purposefully pursuing pleasure is a radical act of self-care and collective growth. Imagine a future where educators design curricula that engage students’ senses, where workplaces prioritize joy and belonging, and where leaders use storytelling to inspire collaboration across cultural and generational lines.

This isn’t a utopian dream—it’s already happening. Brands like Airbnb and Disney are redefining hospitality and entertainment through immersive storytelling. Companies like IDEO are using human-centered design to create solutions that blend functionality with delight.

At the intersection of pleasure, experience design, and storytelling lies the potential to:

• Elevate Wellbeing: Pleasure reduces stress and builds emotional resilience, enabling us to thrive in uncertain times.

• Foster Creativity: Joyful, engaging environments are the breeding grounds for innovative ideas.

• Strengthen Connection: Shared experiences and stories deepen empathy and create bonds that transcend differences.

• Inspire Leadership: Visionary leaders understand that humanity—not profit—drives lasting change.

A Vision for the Future

As I develop the Purposefully Pursuing Pleasure enrichment offerings, my mission is to create spaces where pleasure becomes the foundation for transformative experiences. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, storytelling, and immersive design, this program will equip participants to reimagine how we live, lead, learn, and love.

It’s time we move beyond survival and embrace pleasure as a pathway to collective flourishing. This isn’t just about feeling good—it’s about doing good, innovating boldly, and connecting deeply.

Let’s craft a world where pleasure is no longer the exception but the rule. After all, the human experience deserves nothing less.

About the Author:

Marisha Dixon is a thought leader, experience designer, and storyteller whose work bridges the intersections of wellbeing, education, and social impact. Her mission is to create evocative experiences that celebrate human vulnerability and resilience, inviting individuals and organizations to reimagine the power of pleasure. Connect with her at www.MsMarisha.com.