Treating Myself

Many years ago I treated my mother to her first pedicure. Her response was delight and feeling a bit decadent. Of course, she sacrificed any niceties and treats while we were growing up, giving us what she could. She was last to get anything new. Once I had a good income I wanted to say thank you and share some little luxuries with her. We began to travel a bit, dine in beautiful restaurants, and we played games over who would pick up the check. I became a pro at paying before she had a chance to pull out her wallet.

I took enjoying personal luxuries to the next level. I now schedule a regular massage, pedicure, and have my hair shampooed and styled once a week, á la Hollywood. I literally have not done my own hair in a decade. Travel, upscale dining, lovely hotel rooms – that’s my standard.

Fast forward to today. My massage therapist and hair stylist are closed for business, and forget getting a pedicure or dining out with my son. Enter the age of essential business and shelter in-place. No more shiny, perfect round-brush blowouts for me, and my every other week root touchups are on hold.

Luxury: the state of great comfort and extravagant living; an inessential, desirable item that is expensive or difficult to obtain.

Treat (oneself): do or have something that gives one great pleasure, an event or item that is out of the ordinary and gives great pleasure.

Now, luxuries and treats are even more important. What we do to take care of ourselves will look different, yes, and with some creativity, we can still provide the self-care and mental break we deserve.

 Communication. Reach out to friends and family. A simple phone call, FaceTime, video chat, or text can keep our worlds open and not feeling so isolated. Last night I talked to my sister in Denver for two hours. Our daily communication is normally much more limited, a short phone call, a few texts to check in. This time together was precious.

Relax. How many times have you said, or heard others say that there is no time to relax? Relaxation feels a little foreign to me, and I’ve wrestled with the guilt of not feeling productive. With no commute time, far fewer errands, and a bounty of time spent at home, I’ve enjoyed relaxing and savoring the moment more than I have in my life.

Self-care. My yoga studio is closed, along with health clubs and gyms. And yet, look outside on any given evening now and we see families walking, people walking their dog or playing in the yard. I’m getting my daily Fitbit goal outside in the neighborhood, at the park, or on a more remote country trail, respecting the six-foot personal space.

Now I’m taking time for an longer shower, followed by extra lotion and essential oils, or perhaps an evening bath with Epsom salts and a few drops of lavender or rose, and I feel a little bit like Cleopatra.

I’ve paid for a lot of self-care services in the past and never made much time to simply relax at home, taking that time for myself.

Hand-written Letters. As I continue to slow down, I’m making time to write and mail letters to friends and family. Getting hand-written correspondence in the mail feels like a luxury to me at any time, knowing that someone on the other end took the time to sit and write, just for me.

Trust me, I have no issue with spending money on luxuries. I will continue once I am able. At the same time, I have a new appreciation for simple pleasures that cost nothing.

What are you doing to treat yourself?