From Scarcity to Abundance: How Pleasure Activism Rewrites the Rules of Liberation

Traditional narratives of liberation often emphasize sacrifice, struggle, and scarcity. Pleasure activism challenges these stories by shifting the focus to abundance—abundance of joy, connection, and satisfaction. This shift is not naive optimism but a radical reimagining of what freedom can feel like and how it is sustained.

Scarcity mindsets teach us to believe that pleasure is limited, that joy must be earned or rationed. These beliefs reinforce systems of oppression by fostering competition, shame, and exhaustion. Pleasure activism counters this by asserting that pleasure is a birthright and that cultivating abundance is essential for resilience and collective liberation.

Boundaries and accountability are key to maintaining this abundance. Saying no is a powerful act that creates space for meaningful yeses, protecting our energy and integrity. Community care practices nurture trust and safety, allowing joy to flourish alongside justice work.

Creative expression, humor, and communal rituals embody this abundance, building joyful, inclusive spaces that sustain movements and heal wounds. These practices rewrite the rules of liberation, showing that joy and justice are not opposing forces but deeply intertwined.

By embracing abundance through pleasure activism, we open new pathways to freedom that honor our humanity and interconnectedness. This philosophy offers hope and inspiration for building resilient communities grounded in mutual support and radical joy.