It's not just the ambiance, the tone or feel of the room, neither is it the beautiful fragrances, natural scents of flowers, emanating from the candles, bath bombs or bath oils. It's not the way the water soothes, wraps itself around me in its warm hot embrace reaching every part of my body all at once. It's not even the music that plays softly, the sounds that reach inside to caresses my soul, inspiring deep emotion and thought - or no thoughts at all depending on my needs and choice of music.
No...It's not any one of those things...it's all of them combined that makes these moments so pleasurable. There's just something so beautiful about quiet moments spent reclining in my bath.
The simple act of bathing is something humans have done for thousands of years but for me it's more than just bathing, it's an event; a much needed deeply desired, event. I find peace, solace, sensuality and satisfaction in the bath. It's like the time spent there propitiates my soul, softens the rough edges left by the outside world, and forms me into the shape in which I feel most comfortable, emotionally.
The feelings begin from the moment I run the water, drop in the bath bomb, light candles and start the music and only heightens at the moment I allow my robe to slip from my body onto the floor; the anticipation of the fragrant water upon my skin is tantalising.
As the water envelops me I feel a flush throughout my body, tension dissipates and I lay back, close my eyes and feel true relaxation. Concerns melt away along with stress, worry and fear. It's the closing of a door with the world left outside, its intrusion, judgement, prying eyes and harshness unwelcome and uninvited into this intimate and beautiful place. These moments, my nightly baths, feel life-giving - or at the very least, life nurturing.
I lay back, hypnotised by the sound of water droplets running back into the bath from the parts of my body; I scoop the water onto myself enjoying the sight and feel of the rivulets upon my skin, the way the droplets cling to me and capture the flame of the candles. The water caresses me and softens me and I submit to the moment.
There I linger, crowned in steam, strands of damp hair tickling my neck, allowing the hot water to soak away everything, to wash away anything but luxurious thoughts of peace, comfort and self-satisfaction. It's hedonistic, sensual and sybaritic. I always stay too long, always, and refill the bath with hot water as required, read a book, run fingers lightly upon my skin just for the pleasure of how it feels, and slowly get softer and pinker. My baths wash my cares away, imbue me with deep feelings of indulgence, allow me to release tensions and find a few moments of tranquillity and self awareness.
I'll be honest and say I don't feel the least bit guilty about my baths. That they are a deeply satisfying and intense pleasure is a certainty though, which is why I prefer them over showers. There's times I shower instead of course though not often; the result is the same, I emerge clean, soft and pinkish - but there's something missing, it's shallow and not emotionally satisfying like a bath is to me. I don't think I should feel guilty for loving the way my baths cradle me emotionally, how they help me find a point from which I feel truly at peace, although maybe I should feel guilty about the water usage.
I wrote this for the one hundred and fifth week of the #weekend-engagement concept by 
Becca 馃挆
I took the image in this myself, and managed not to drop my camera in the bath.
