The first month of spring is officially here. It feels like I am finally being brought back to life. And astrologically speaking I recently learnt that New Years is actually now; the beginning of March when everything resurfaces and starts to sprout, and not on January 1st when we actually celebrate it. So no wonder the traditional New Years resolutions seldom work. The time isn't ready. In January we are still very much cocooning and resting. It makes total sense to me and now I can actually feel the new energy flowing in my body. When we are emerging from the darkness and once again get ready to bloom, new inspiration pops up, newfound energy arises, and new intentions automatically form without the need to call it a resolution. One of the intentions that keep popping up for me is pleasure. I want more pleasure in my life. On all levels. The pleasure of waking up my grumpy kids in the morning, showering, drinking my coffee just the way i like it, moving my body, working (and not just the fun parts), keeping our home clean. Everything can be done with an intention of pleasure.
I am very much aware that this is easier said than done and takes a lot of practice as the mind usually goes on autopilot when doing routine chores and keeping up with our busy lives. So this month I have teamed up with Julie Herskin who is the co-founder of the Danish brand Sitre, who is dedicated to bringing back pleasure in the most pleasurable of ways. They aim to give sexiness a much needed update with products for intimacy and pleasure in a honest and nurturing way. I am a huge fan of their entire vision and I am so pleased to finally have the entire range of their products on the webshop.
Congratulations on your success with Sitre. How did you come up with the idea for the brand?
Thank you so much. The idea actually started with my own personal experience. I found myself needing to use lubricant and it sort of didn't fit into my self-image at the time. I lived in London, worked in advertising, was in my 20s and had (and still have) a partner. I associated using lubricant with having a problem, so I suddenly felt like I wasn't a sexual person or maybe my body was 'wrong'. But partner felt like it was his fault. Today I know neither of these reasons were true, but I had never heard anyone talk about it.
The experience sent my on a journey of products that either felt vulgar or like medicine, which didn't make the situation better. Then I discovered the ingredients were mostly quite harmful so we had to stop using them. I didn't understand that the products that were meant to make intimacy better actually made it worse.
When I moved home to Denmark I asked Cecilie, my partner in Sitre, to start a new chapter for sex, intimacy and wellness with me. She had never used a lubricant because "she didn't need it". But she had been sick with stress which had forced her to deep-dive into her mental wellness, and this is when she discovered how important intimacy is for our well-being.
We started sitre with a long-list of 'no go' ingredients and a wish to create a new language that made intimacy feel inclusive, natural and kind. Today we have a range of products that are not just a 'solution to a problem' but can invite everyone to explore new ways of being intimate, whether it's using our scented massage candles, our premium sex gels (as we like to call our lubricants) or our CBD-unfused pleasure boost oil.
It is my experience that the concept of pleasure is changing. From something that was solely reserved for the bedroom to something that is now being more incorporated into everyday life. What are your thoughts on this?
Couldn't agree more. For us, intimacy is really about connection. The world is forcing us to be 'always on', especially as our phones are portals to constant updates and information. This has made it harder for us to just be in the moment and check in with our deepest, truest self (or maybe a partner). Intimacy is a way to discover how we're feeling and what we need. Sadly many of us have grown up with an idea of intimacy looking like something from a Hollywood movie and this has meant we've felt like we needed to follow a script. But what feels good is so individual - and it can change from day to day.
I, for example, have a two year old daughter and I will admit I'm not always in the mood for sex. But massaging myself (or getting my partner to do it) with our massage candle at the end of day helps me feel my body, and the combination of the scent, the hot oil and the touch is incredible and really releases a lot of oxytocin (what we like to call the feel good hormone). Other times it can be using one of our oils all of the body after a shower, or using our Full Moon Bar in the shower to activate my senses.
But intimacy can - of course - also be an incredible orgasm (which is stress-relieving and so good for sleep by the way).
Do you have any tips for bringing more pleasure into your (everyday) life?
It's essential for us that intimacy doesn't feel like another thing on the to-do-list. But allowing yourself just 10 minutes at the end of a day to connect with yourself - or a partner - can make a big difference. We hope our range can help to invite to different moments and elevate the experience, so it becomes a joy to explore your desires. We also recommend trying to write down what you're desiring as this can help us get in touch with ourselves. Because when do we truly ask ourselves "what do I want?" besides when ordering food at a restaurant?
An example is our Pleasure Boost oil with CBD. The CBD increases the blood flow which can trigger higher sensitivity and relax the muscles. Users tell us it intensifies their pleasure (and orgasm) when used intimately - but the thing is that the CBD needs time to work, so it invites you to slow things down and you can use the oil on the entire body, so it's a great way to discover what feels good in that moment. Is it touching your chest, your shoulders, even your feet?
Thank you Julie for taking the time to share your thoughts!
And what are your thought on this? Is this something that is even on your radar or are you swamped in life right now? Are you actively seeking more pleasure in your life, do you fantasize about a future with more time for pleasure or is it not even a priority? Either way I am happy to be able to give away 2 products of your choice from Sitre to a lucky winner. All you have to do is to give me a like on this post on instagram and sign up for our newsletter - If your are already signed up for the newsletter a like on the post is great - that way I'll know that you are in :)
You can find the instagram post here
Thank you so much for following along!
With love
Pia