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How do you reward/treat yourself?

33 replies

AlexaShutUp · 27/01/2019 12:02

Like so many people at this time of year, I've recently been trying to make some changes in my life - to eat more healthily, exercise more, get on top of the housework, save more money and use my time more productively. So far, it has been going fairly well and I'm still quite motivated to keep up the good work.

However, I've been reflecting on a lifetime of disordered eating habits and I've realised that for years, I have self-medicated with food, using junk to "treat" myself at the end of a long day or as a reward for achieving something. I am keen to break that cycle by finding other things that I can treat myself to instead, but I am a bit short on ideas. I'm therefore looking for suggestions - what do you do when you want to be kind to yourself? So far, I have the following ideas:

Fresh flowers for the house
A nice hot bath
An hour in bed with a book
An evening on the sofa with a good film/box set
A cinema/theatre trip
A weekend away
A day off work to do whatever I fancy

Does anyone have any other ideas? I'm interested in both "big" rewards for the significant milestones as well as smaller treats for the hard days when I feel that I've really earned the right to eat crap and veg out.

TIA!

OP posts:
JustanotherCHRISTMASuser01 · 27/01/2019 12:06

holidays are my big thing and little mini breaks so instead of spending money on takeaways clothes etc money goes into my hol pot now :-)

AlexaShutUp · 27/01/2019 13:27

Thanks Just, I love my holidays too. Creating a special pot of money to save for them is a good idea!

Any other thoughts from anyone?

OP posts:
Endofrelationship · 27/01/2019 13:34

I found make up and nail varnish quite good, of a magazine.

Nofilter · 27/01/2019 13:39

A holiday pot - yes!!!

Nofilter · 27/01/2019 13:41

Sorry sent to early.

What about a hobbies you absolutely love and look forward too?

I needed something around 4 years ago for just"Mel that wasn't unhealthily - meals out, nights out, takeaways, clothes shopping etc so I started riding.

I now have my own horse and it changed my life!

flatpackbox · 27/01/2019 13:46

I am good at the smaller things I think.

I often buy myself small things for around the house, artisan ceramics or a lovely photo frame, nothing too extravagant really but I really enjoy the space I have created at home. I probably spend £100 a month on a thing or two for the house that I enjoy looking at. More if it is a painting or etching (when I have a self imposed limit).

Other than that I buy posh tea - 40p a tea bag type tea because I rarely drink alcohol so I can justify it to myself.

I only use handmade soap from here, I do a bulk order once a year.

I have lunch alone somewhere swanky once a month too, one of three places.

As of this week I have resolved to having my legs waxed (had given up), and I am going to try to remember to have a manicure and pedicure most months.

Snog · 27/01/2019 13:46

A walk
Playing a card game with dh or dd
Working in my art journal
Clean sheets!
Bubble bath and body cream
Coffee with a friend
Podcast episode
Half an hour chilling in my bed
Phoning a friend
Watching the dog whisperer 😂
Planning for a holiday or weekend break

All calorie free

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 27/01/2019 14:01

New pens/pencils/fountain pen ink
Books
Coffee in a cafe - with cake or without!
Daffodils (or other flowers, but daffs make me the happiest!)
Posh bubble bath (I've given up buying it in plastic bottles, so a posh glass bottle is an occasional treat now)
A walk with a camera - anywhere where there's trees and I'm happy! Even better if combined with a coffee somewhere pretty.

AlexaShutUp · 27/01/2019 16:18

Thanks, lots of lovely ideas here. I will definitely use some of them! Smile

OP posts:
EmpressJewel · 27/01/2019 16:30

A bath bomb
A book I want to read
A lipstick

PatPhoenix · 27/01/2019 18:41

I have a milk frother so that my cup of instant is all fluffy.
I do love a hot bath.
Reserving books from the library as soon as I think of them, then they pop up ready to collect unexpectedly.

Squirrel26 · 27/01/2019 19:17

New audiobook.
Plants for the garden.
Scented candle.
Going for a walk somewhere nice, then having tea and cake in a cafe after.
Getting the car cleaned (a bit weird, but my car is usually full of mud and dog/ horse stuff, so it's really nice when it isn't!)
Buying pyjamas/socks/leggings/ general lounging clothes.
Getting something fixed in the house that's been annoying me.

I keep meaning to get someone to come and do a one-off deep clean of the house. I think that would make me very happy!

Squirrel26 · 27/01/2019 19:19

Oh yeah - and having plans, so something like having a date in for a weekend away, however far ahead it is!

HumptyNumptyNooNoo · 27/01/2019 19:21

I always give myself a birthday gift from Granny ( she's been gone for years - so it's from my account really ) it's an excuse to blow a stupid excessive amount of dosh on something frivolous, wrap it up and then be chuffed to bits with it when I open it ! I don't know why I still do it - but I do!

flatpackbox · 27/01/2019 21:32

I love it Humpty, I bet Granny would too!

Luglio · 27/01/2019 21:35

Excellent whisky.

ChrissyAyres11111 · 27/01/2019 21:39

New clothes, makeup, nails ,shoes etc , always cheer me up.

MotherWol · 27/01/2019 21:45

Nice soap
Fresh flowers
I like going to reformer Pilates and spin classes - more expensive than cheap gyms, but I enjoy it more, and it makes exercise less of a chore.
A fresh face mask from Lush

SpaceCadet4000 · 27/01/2019 21:47

Something decorative for the house
Exercise stuff
A loose leaf tea I fancy
A nice plant pot/plant for the balcony
Fancy veggies/spices to make an Ottolenghi recipe
New pjs
New wax melts or a candle
A certain amount to spend in charity shops (usually about £20)
A podcast and a cup of tea

Dimsumlosesum · 27/01/2019 21:50

Fancy cheese, good cheese crackers, bottle of wine, a new book.

AtleastitsnotMonday · 27/01/2019 21:53

Shellac manicure or Pedicure
Neck back and shoulder massage
Magazines
Flowers
Molton brown hand soap
And my sad one, I upgrade from my usual £1 a box breadstick to the one that cost £1.80 and buy the M&S beetroot and mint dip! Living the dream!!

Chingling · 27/01/2019 22:02

Why would you need to reward/treat yourself?

Sorry., I don't get it?

LL83 · 27/01/2019 22:09

I like fruit tea, and I don't need a biscuit with it like I do with normal tea.

Also painting nails is relaxing for me and keeps hands busy for a while so I can't snack!

ChrissyAyres11111 · 27/01/2019 22:32

Love Pilates classes too hun , great way to meet new friends and other mums

AlexaShutUp · 27/01/2019 22:34

Why would you need to reward/treat yourself?

Sometimes just for getting through the day tbh! Fair enough if you never feel the need - lucky you!

Thanks for all of the lovely suggestions.Smile

OP posts:
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