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March 5, 2025 68 mins

Have you ever felt like you were living a life that looked perfect on the outside, but inside, something felt deeply off? Maybe you've spent years over giving, overachieving, prioritizing everyone else, and suddenly you find yourself asking, Who am I now beyond the roles I've played, what do I actually want outside of what's expected of me? Is it too late to rediscover my desires, my pleasure, my purpose? If any of this resonates, then this episode is for you.

This week, episode 49 of Pleasure in the Pause is about rediscovering your authentic self and reclaiming your desires! 

Are you ready to awaken your sensuality and feel more empowered in your body? Access the FREE Pleasure Upgrade Bundle at https://www.pleasureinthepause.com/gift.

Vanessa Cornell is a teacher, thought leader, and masterful space holder who guides women to reconnect with their inner selves. After a successful career at Harvard and Wall Street, and raising five children, she experienced a disconnect and began a journey of self-discovery. Vanessa now creates spaces for women to explore their authentic selves, founding Nushu, a women's community focused on connection. She leads transformational groups, courses, and retreats that encourage listening inward and honoring personal truth.

Highlights from our discussion include:

  • Midlife is an awakening, not a crisis. It's an opportunity to rediscover yourself, move beyond external expectations, and reconnect with your true desires and joy.
  • Ask yourself three key questions regularly: How do I feel? What do I need? What do I want? This helps you understand your inner landscape without judgment.
  • Hold space for yourself and other. Allow thoughts and feelings to exist without immediately trying to fix or dismiss them.
  • Discover your gifts through experimentation. Don't wait to have a perfect plan.
  • Authentic friendships and connections matter. Create spaces where you can be fully yourself, without masks or expectations. 

Midlife is an invitation to shed the layers of expectation, to listen to that quiet inner voice, and to give yourself permission to want more - more joy, more depth, more pleasure, and most importantly, more of who you truly are. Your desires matter, your pleasure matters, and your journey of self-discovery is not just valid, it's essential.


If you're seeking to reclaim your pleasure and vitality, join Gabriella at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pleasureinthepause.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for this enlightening journey into the heart of female pleasure and empowerment.


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Reclaim your sensuality and step into a powerful new chapter. The Midlife Pleasure Collective is a monthly membership designed to help midlife women reconnect with their bodies, embrace their desires, and cultivate deeper pleasure. Join the founding members for just $20/month - spots are limited, so apply now at pleasure-in-the-pause.com/collective

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