Contemporary Hedonism: Reclaiming Pleasure on Our Own Terms
Words: Sunday Lucas
Photos: Monica Buscarino
(from Issue 01, Pleasure)Hedonism – initially the pursuit of pleasure as the highest good – is a term that, in the modern age, is often tarnished, misunderstood and reduced to a careless pursuit of excess, indulgence and immediate gratification.
Society tends to associate hedonism with a male-dominated narrative of reckless abandon, excess consumption and a shallow pursuit of the pleasure of the senses. For centuries, this concept has largely been viewed through the lens of men: figures like Ernest Hemingway, whose whisky-soaked masculinity, bravado and indulgence in the pleasures of life have been celebrated in literature. His protagonists live to drink, hunt, escape and feed their primal appetites. Pleasure was framed as something that belonged to men – women were expected to be the passive objects of male pleasure rather than the active pursuers of it. In fact, women, historically, have been conditioned to feel guilty for embracing hedonism. It’s such a shame!
But this narrative of pleasure has lost its relevance. From my observations, traditional male-centric notions of hedonism don’t fit most women’s experience, plus consumption of booze has decreased across the board. So, what is contemporary hedonism? Specifically, what is it for you? As an open-minded, educated woman in 2025, I say hedonism needs a makeover – particularly for women. It’s no longer about mindlessly chasing pleasure as an external goal; it’s about embracing pleasure on our own terms, reclaiming it as an act of self-empowerment and questioning whether the kind of excess traditionally associated with hedonism is sustainable in our increasingly complex and fragile world.
I share my perspectives here based on my own experience as a woman, acknowledging that others may have different views and experiences. I think we need a fresh, honest and unapologetic vision of hedonism – one that allows us to embrace pleasure, joy and freedom the way we choose to, free from the shackles of old paradigms.
Redefining Pleasure in a New Age
The feminist movements, overall, have made it clear that women’s autonomy over their own bodies, desires and experiences is not up for negotiation. For too long, women have been taught that pleasure is secondary to other duties – whether that’s the role of caretaker, mother or partner. But the game has changed. Women are not just seeking to consume life – they are rewriting the rules of how to live it fully. Contemporary hedonism isn’t about pursuing reckless or guilty indulgence; it’s about recognising that joy, pleasure and freedom are core components of a woman’s life.
The version of hedonism we need today is expansive, nuanced and inclusive, and celebrates the idea that pleasure is a personal experience that cannot be dictated by anyone but the woman who seeks it. Reclaiming pleasure is an act of self-expression and an embrace of imperfection.
This modern hedonism doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. Hedonism is an internal compass, one that guides each woman to her own version of happiness. Contemporary hedonism invites women to seek pleasure – whatever that looks like. This could mean anything from the quiet pleasure of reading a book alone on a Sunday morning to the rush of sexual liberation, the bliss of creating art, building an empire, or fostering deep relationships.
“Contemporary hedonism isn’t about pursuing reckless or guilty indulgence; it’s about recognising that joy, pleasure and freedom are core components of a woman’s life.”
