6 Intimacy Intentions for 2026 (That Feel Better Than Resolutions)
It’s about to be January again and that means being bombarded with resolution ideas from every corner you turn. New Year’s resolutions are often about fixing, optimizing, or becoming ‘better’. But intimacy doesn’t actually grow through pressure or rigid ‘to-do’s’, it grows through intention. So instead of resolutions that demand change, I’m offering you lovely people reading this intimacy intentions: ways of relating to yourself and others that feel spacious, embodied, and deeply human. I hope you choose to incorporate one, some, or all of these intentions for 2026. Whether you do or don’t, my wish is that 2026 is spilling over with intimate indulgences that feel like deserving decadence for you! #1 - Choose Presence Over Performance
Let intimacy be about feeling, not doing anything a certain way
This intention is about being present in your body and allowing that to be the driver of your actions. Instead of trying to look, sound, or act a certain way, let your present felt senses take control and get ready to experience a more authentic experience of pleasure.#2 - Honor Your ‘Yes’ and Your ‘No’ Equally
Boundaries aren’t just for for the things you don’t want
Boundaries are important and a constantly trending topic. However, we often focus on the importance of saying ‘no’ while overlooking the tremendous benefits of honoring our ‘yes’ as well. If it’s a full-body ‘yes’ for you - speak it too. 2026 is for your f*ck yes, too!#3 - Explore Desire Without Needing Clarity First
Permission to not need to know the ‘why’ right away
How many times have you had a desire pop-up that might feel like an intrusive thought? Maybe it’s about what your mind floats to during self-pleasure, a reaction to a spicy scene in Heated Rivalry, or some other deep desire that causes you confusion…explore it. You don’t need an explanation. You don’t need to know ‘why’. Eventually, you can dive deeper into understanding more about it (work with a coach like me is a great container to do that), but don’t deny yourself exploring a desire because you feel like you need to know the origin of it to proceed. #4 - Treat Pleasure as a Practice, Not a Reward
View pleasure as necessary nourishment, not something only to allow yourself if ‘earned’
2026 is the year we stop allowing pleasure, both self-pleasure and in relation with people, to be treated only as a reward. Pleasure is our birthright, as simple as that. Treat it as a practice that you are deserving of like you treat sleep, exercise, or play. When it becomes more consistently available to us, we’re able to expand upon it in transformative ways.#5 - Allow Wanting Without Shame
Let go of wanting only what you think you ‘should’ want or what is ‘normal’ to society
Shame is the #1 killer of intimacy. When we feel shame, we stifle our ability to access pleasure and we make ourselves small. This year, prioritize working through shame (one of my favorite things to do with clients!) and let your true wants rule your life both in and out of the bedroom.#6 - Value Vulnerability as a Strength
Let vulnerability be the strongest bridge to intimacy
Vulnerability is HOT! Truly. Reframe the common misconception that vulnerability is a weakness and view it as the true strength that it is. Allow yourself to be vulnerable (but use discernment) and see how being chosen, seen, understood, or cared for as your stripped down self feels SO much better than being accepted under an emotional armor facade. Vulnerability is your superpower. Step into it. 