How have you looked after or spoilt yourself lately?

[cjt110]

Saturday I dropped my son at my parents at 11am. He hadn't seen them or a week or so so wanted to go round and sleepover.

DH was at work so I had 7 whole hours to myself.

I went home, got a big bowl of chilli, snuggled in bed and watched River on Netflix. Then bedded down for an hour or so's sleep. Then went and had a manicure and gel polish applied.

I really REALLY enjoyed it. I am off Friday this week and Monday next... very tempted to repeat the same!

I would love to watch Netflix with a bowl of chilli but our house is just too flipping busy so that's a bit unattainable.

I’m another person who finds getting nails/hair done more stressful than relaxing. It’s just something that has to be done rather than something for me.

My indulgences are
lighting the fire and curling up with a nice cup of tea and a good book
Eating a curry - no one else likes curry in this house
Going to the theatre - I love live performances but rarely justify the cost

And not a moment's guilt that you didn't spend any of it on anyone else I hope!!

No guilt at all. They can starve and freeze while I smell nice in my shiny shoes 😄

I got myself three books and got rid of about six bags of clutter.

That might not sound like spoiling myself but giving myself permission to get rid of crap I have been given but don't actually want or need has turned my bedroom from a midden to a lovely relaxing place. Where I can read my new books in peace!

I don’t get any beauty treatments done but I do like to have regular back massages... they don’t make me look any better but they make me feel good!

I'm not appearance focused, only have my hair cut about twice a year, I've never had my nails done or anything like that, but the other day I washed my hair and instead of just tying it up I took the time to dry and straighten it and I felt so much better! I used to straighten it most days but it's gone way down on my list of priorities the past couple of years so I kind of felt like me again.
Also, me and my husband went to see a comedian on Friday night whilst his parents looked after our boys for the night (first time in ages we've had a night to ourselves), and it was lovely, just being able to relax and I loved seeing my husband laughing too saturday I had work in the morning for a couple of hours, then when I came home we both went back to bed for a nap then woke up and did the naughty stuff, then he went to his parents and I had a shower and some food in peace before going back to work for the evening. (If there had been no work it would've been perfect!)

Funny how mine are similar to others - Reading a book - like a whole book in one go. I did it over Christmas and I was beyond happy.
A nighy out with DH just chatting, slightly tipsy, laughing and on to see some live music. Nothing fancy but delightful now the kids are old enough not to need a babysitter (which defeats the purpose of a low key evening out)
My other indulgence recently was inspired by Mari Kondo I cleaned out all the bedrooms - mine of clothes that didn't 'sparked joy' even if never worn, and my daughters horde of play mobile and Barbies (not been touched in years!) has been gifted to a neighbour with young kids. I can not begin to describe how happy I was to see those bags leave.

This doesn't sound me-focussed, but I kondo'd the shit out of the bedding. DH simply doesn't care about that stuff, and has been hoarding old linens for forever. I have charity bagged most of it, now it is so neat and crisp looking I genuinely feel all Zen looking at it I find lack of clutter very soothing.

Also I bought a bottle of Jo Malone mimosa and caradmon cologne, and now I keep sniffing myself. I smell delicious.

Cross posts there with yakari about the pleasure of decluttering. It is Not The Same as doing normal housework.

think she was just wondering what women who aren't appearance focused do for self care as an alternative

Yes, this.

I’ve been thinking about it and the sort of thing i would see as spoiling myself would be a personal trainer or a thai massage. I have a few issues physically that a good stretch always helps, and it’s nice to have someone do it for me, iyswim. Where I don't have to think.

Problem is my budget doesn’t stretch to anything like that.

Anything where I can disengage my brain really.

I do like just a few days alone to clean the house and then just sit knowing there’s nothing urgent, cook for myself, watch what i want to, go to bed when i want to. Can’t really chuck dh and the kids out though, and can’t afford a hotel...

I have a few things depending on finances, time inclination

I have made a good stab at looking after myself more this January. I am eating healthier and allowing myself to have the luxury of not necessarily eating the same as the rest of the family. I have lost 5lbs so far, another 14 to go and I will be at my optimum.

I am building in time to use my exercise bike as often as I can but at the very least every second day. When I started I could only do 8 mins and I am now up to 20. Aiming for 30 - 40

I also love to read and I love a lie-in on a Saturday morning with coffee and my book. Now that dd is a young teen and welded to her bed in the mornings (we thought that day would never come!) dh very kindly makes me breakfast and brings it up to me. He prefers getting up so it's win win.

We love travelling and are always planning trips. In my healthy eating efforts I have totally stopped eating out at lunch , unless meeting a friend, or nipping to the shop for a sandwich, I bring in lunch and fruit and water. I reckon I am saving at least £50 a week. I now stick that into a saving ac & will use it for a trip away for us all

Dh and I are making more of an effort to get out in the evening together. This weekend dd was away on a sleepover so we went to the cinema and grabbed a nandos before (only option near this cinema) and even though it was a cold stormy night I had a shower, blow dried my hair, put on a dress and ankle boots I hadn't worn for ages, wore my nice coat, painted my nails and splashed out my best perfume. Dh also got 'dressed up' and we both felt great and like we were on a saturday night date! Which we were! Previously I would have worn skinny jeans trainers and my parka so it was nice to feel more dressed up

I buy flowers for the house regularly - usually from Aldi but they cheer the place, and me up.

Decluttering and sorting out my wardrobe for Spring are on my to do list.

Long bath followed by making steak and cheesy mash all accompanied by my favourite CDs always puts me in a good mood - generally don't need to even get rid of the rest of the HH to do this.

reallyanotherone try taking time out to do some yoga. Look at Yoga With Adrienne on YouTube.

I have ended up with 2 unexpected days of and I am so excited. Today dropped the kids at school and took the dog to the beach for a run, was so nice and crisp and sunny but killed myself, haven't been for a run in 2 months die to Christmas and not feeling well for around 4 weeks solid. Was a bit disappointed in myself. Tomorrow I'm going to go to the pics. I went alone for the first time 5 months ago when I had the last day to myself and it was amazing. I like to sit quietly through a film and dp is a talker so it was bliss. Got a coffee and a bun and chilled out in the huge screen an Cineworld.

Would love to go to a spa for a massage they are so expensive though!

OMGithurts

Love yoga with adrienne, on my agenda for tonight. Definitely recommend it aswell. I get terrible back pain.

My New Years Res, was better self care so I've invested in some naice beauty products and treatments

I've never really bothered with much in the way of beauty and approaching 40 it's showing!

But to the poster who asked about spoiling yourself and it not being looks based, my treats have always been books and I still love nothing more than getting a ton of books all at once

(Less so now I'm Kondoing)

I buy a lot of Yankee candles melt tarts etc and my home smells lush and I bed down with my blanket and watch tv dh wouldn't watch I also treat myself to a coffee subscription and go on lots of holidays not always costing a lot or spending much there but just an escape from real life.

On Friday I had a delicious lunch out and went to a film I really wanted to see

Change the bed linen.
Light Diptique candles.
Tidy wardrobe, colour coordinate clothes replace hangers, make sure they are all facing the same way, drop bags off at charity shop.
Purchase new underwear, replace sports kit and trainers.
long walk in countryside.
Meet up with friends for tea or coffee, try to avoid cake.
Restore order at home.
flowers, grind coffee beans , light fire.

Always, that sounds like a perfect day if you could fit it all in!

Recently I’ve taken to napping, whilst the kids are at school. I can’t continue much longer as I’m starting back to work in the next couple of weeks but it’s been lush to catch up on some sleep.

I’ve also bought myself a new wedding ring. I lost my first and haven’t worn one for about three or four years but saw a lovely silver one the other day and it’s only £25.00 so I got it. I don’t buy jewelry very often so it’s a nice treat. I’ve also seen some lovely stackable rings and might treat myself once I get my first pay chèque.

I go to a chanting/meditation class on a Monday night - and that’s my “me” time in the week.

I love my bed and I read in bed, lately it's Barbara Pym, very droll and acerbic.I also write and sometimes draw. I also sleeeep. I have been known to work from my bed, if I am cold and tired. It's a refuge.
I never watch TV in bed but I do like watching cats and wild animals and nature vids on my phone. Anything that is sweet.
I have had a very hard few years and I am not getting younger, plus I have fibromyalgia which is painful.
Today, I have been teaching for 2 hours ( big class of adults), went to look at a property we are moving to, sorted out the keys and did a bit of shopping... quite tired now.

I agree that self care can be very appearance focussed for women...I'm trying to look after myself (I have a four week old and don't find being at home with the children to be great for my mental health) in non-appearance related ways.

I'm doing the 52 books in 52 weeks thing.
I bought myself the new Pokemon game for my Switch
I'm keeping on top of eating vegetables!
Getting to bed at a reasonable hour
Spending enough time with my friends

Its cold where I am but very sunny. So this morning I wrapped up warm and went for a walk around the local reservoir. It was so beautiful and peaceful and lovely to see lots of birds.

I then came home and had a huge bowl of homemade tomato soup which was nourishing and tasty so I felt very virtuous.