I place a lot of importance on treating myself, particularly since entering single parenthood, as it can leave you feeling depleted. I think everyone should have a weekly designated treats-day. It gives you a positive plan for the week in the midst of all of your obligatory ones. It is easier to neglect this practice as an adult than it is as a kid. If someone else isn’t supplying the treats, I say you should take it upon yourself to do so.
It doesn’t have to be extravagant and can include items that you already have in your house, if you are imaginative with what you have on hand.
I like to pick three or four items and set them aside as incentive to persevere until Friday’s bedtime. And by Friday afternoon, that is all that is sparing my sanity. Making it something deliberate and pre-planned, instead of just shoving chocolate into your mouth in a moment of despair, makes it feel more like you have properly been rewarded for your hard work. (Although the aforementioned is sometimes essential too.)
Just because you have financial constraints or limited time shouldn’t mean that you forego all forms of self-indulgence. (I am consciously skirting around the term “self-care” due to the frequency of its usage at the moment and my strong dislike for clichés.)
This week I have a more elaborate treat eagerly awaiting Friday’s bedtime, but often I just pull together something simple out of what I have lying around. (I always have a fully stocked sweetie cupboard anyway.)
Here are a few examples:
- Hot chocolate with marshmallows
- A magazine/free e-magazine on your library’s website.
- A band you have yet to hear/ a record you found in a charity shop.
- A hot water bottle
- Incense sticks
- A drink you haven’t tried before. This could be a homemade cocktail or just a flavoured fizzy drink. Whichever one you opt for, you should drink it out of a fancy glass.
- New cosy bedsocks
- A tub of your favourite ice-cream
- A playlist of soothing songs
- Fudge or chocolates
- Loose leaf tea
- A new tea cup
- A new scented bath product or shower gel
- A colouring book for adults
- Popcorn
I find that the best treats are composed of something to eat, something to drink and something to do/an item that provides comfort 🙂
You could formulate any number of treats using this method and still have something different to look forward to each week. It’s weird how something so small can lift your mood.
The Funky Thrifter 