On Instagram, treating yourself is a long bath, in a clawfoot tub overlooking a mountain range. Hey, if that is your thing, great! It just sets up a very high standard for self care. Today I am going to go over some cheap/free things that you can do to treat yourself.
Make Yourself Dinner:
Honestly, truly, you don’t need an occasion to cook. Today is an occasion. Maybe you live alone and don’t feel like you have anyone to cook for. Look in the mirror; you are a someone to cook for.
Maybe you are a mother/father and your kids are addicted to chicken nuggets. You know, the ones in the shapes of dinosaurs? That’s fine, make those and try to make something YOU like for yourself. Feeding yourself the foods that you want is a form of self love.
Cooking also helps you regulate what oils and additives are in your food. Also, LEFTOVERS!
Wake Up a Little Earlier
I don’t want you to wake up a little earlier to be productive in the stereotypical way. You know, like they say in self-help books, you can create a business in the 20 mins that you sleep in every morning.
I want you to wake up earlier for you. If it means you get to not rush or that you can have 20 mins of you time before the kids get up. Maybe you get to enjoy a cup of tea in a quiet house in those few minutes.
I am not talking anything crazy, even 15 mins helps.
Learn To Say NO
This is a hard one.
I know we have all said something like, I can’t because I promised so and so I would get this thing done, so I am sorry I can’t. When we know good and well we have nothing to do for anyone.
Saying no is not rude. Saying yes, and not wanting to do something is rude. So, let’s say someone wants you to edit their final paper and they only give you a days notice? No, I don’t have the time. Or someone wants you to go out to a bar, but you just want to stay in and watch Netflix? No, I don’t feel like going out.
Not feeling like doing something is ok. It is a reason.
Smile
Did you know that by simply smiling your mood can change? I am not talking about curing clinical depression, but it has been proven that by smiling you can lower stress, lift mood and boost immunity. (1) Smiling is free!
So if you can manage it, smile. Smile. Smile. Not for anyone else, for you.
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Face mask/Paint nails/ foot soak
I put all these little things together. Maybe you want to have a mini spa day and do all three.
I am sure a lot of people reading this are responsible for taking care of many people. I am here to say, take a moment and take care of yourself too.
You can soak your feet while eating dinner. Paint your nails while your kids watch a movie. A face mask is fair game anytime. I use sheet mask and they are super cheap on amazon, ones like these.
The point is take a moment to do something for yourself.