Little things that make you feel good

[jingleballing]

For the past 11 years, I've had babies (x3), moved house (x4) and sadly lost 3 close family members who I was extremely close to . It's been a rough ride. Life seldom works out the way we plan it and it's not been an easy decade to say the least.

We are however, now financially comfortable and living in our 'forever home', and my youngest dc has started at school full time and I'm not/don't need to work.

However it seems I've forgotten how to not only enjoy myself but also how to look after myself! After I drop the dc off at school, I slump on the sofa in an exhausted heap, cup of tea in hand. Then I summon the energy to go and make the beds and vacuum , any laundry etc that needs doing, have a shower and by then it's midday. I could then faff around in the house doing more cleaning or do some cooking and by then it's time to pick up the dc.

I used to read a lot but I can't seem to concentrate on anything for too long, I've ordered several new books but haven't got very far. I meet friends sometimes for a coffee/shopping trip.

Besides the fact that I need a completely new routine (probably a whole other thread) I really want to start doing some self care. Even if it's 30 minutes a day, I need it to be meaningful and effective.

So my question is, in what small ways do you look after yourself or treat yourself or make yourself feel good ? What do you do that lifts your spirits ? Could be in the house or out of the house but bearing in mind the current crisis and the fact that we are in tier 3 over here! There's only so many bubble baths I can take

There was a great thread on this recently with lots of lovely ideas:

What little things disproportionately improve your quality of life? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4094140-what-little-things-disproportionately-improve-your-quality-of-life

All those little things like walks, nice candles, good coffee are all great but I think what really helps me feel better about myself is learning.
It doesn’t have to be a course, though I have done those, even a podcast, radio 4 or an article on something interesting.
I feel like those are my real building blocks.

Fire on. Candles & lights & lamps. Nice smells-essential oils.

Get me to the sea. Or out. Get prepared mentally to do it even if it's raining & then it's usually an improvement.

Reading & listening to books, educational & engaging peppered with good fiction.

Badly practicing easy hymns on the piano

@Beechview I know what you mean, it's the sense of achievement isn't it. Where can I find good podcasts ? I wouldn't know where to start .

@buckeejit sounds so cosy and my kind of thing actually although I don't have a fire ! I bought myself an electric scent diffuser from the white company recently , I've remembered to switch it on after reading your post !

Taking my dogs down our local beach. Cheeky fish & chips while the dc are at school!!

Sex 😁

Meditation, learning a language, yoga, walking.

Piping hit cups of tea.

I listen to music, whatever I feel like at the time, to lift my spirits after a hard day.

Also a good walk after work every day with my DH does wonders, even in the dark with our torches

I was also going to say learning; I'm too lazy to launch into a PhD but there are lots of online courses/seminars. At the moment - when there's not much happening face to face - distance is no barrier! Nor are Tiers!
Volunteering at something that you can really get involved in. (Perhaps a bit difficult at the moment as they might not be recruiting.)
Just go out - even if no-one wants to go with you. (Sorry, I'm Tier 2 and that makes a world of difference!) But never think you don't deserve a solo trip to a play/concert/film/exhibition or whatever catches your eye.
A poem a day might get you back into reading?
I agree with you about the bubble baths - doesn't do it for me either!

If you want something 30 mins a day, have you considered doing an Adrienne 30 days of yoga series? There is something really amazing about daily yoga practice that just seems to slot the jigsaw pieces together when they are all jumbled up in my life.

And flowers. You must have flowers!

Exercise. I do gym (or an online session if covid doesn't allow the gym) before school run. It makes the mornings busy but productive and I have more energy. Also I don't feel sad if I chill if I'm off work while kids are at school.

Yoga sounds good ! I'll look that up x

How do you all motivate yourself to exercise ? I just feel so exhausted in the mornings . Or is it pure laziness

Do Adriene (yoga)! She keeps saying 'getting on the mat is the hardest part', cheesy but true - you do feel less tired afterwards. And you can burn the candles while doing yoga, so two in one...

Maybe I'm a loon, but I like to drive the long way home after dropping the kids at school while listening to my audiobook. I feel the most content at that point.

Get out and walk. See the world.

Reading a good book, a mini at home facial, sex with DP, a swim, or a nice walk with Ddog.

Good audiobooks are great if you have time walking, driving, doing housework. Get some wireless headphone or earphones. A heated throw or electric hot water bottle if no fire, but a group of candles for effect.

I've got lazy & shy of dark & getting up early & bad weather. Going to try for 10k steps a day again-normal day & 15 min walk should do it for me

I'm going to a days forest retreat of mindfulness & the like at the start of Jan & I'm aiming for that to be the start of the new & improved me!

@bucketeejit that sounds heavenly !

Thanks for all the replies so far everyone, I'm going to make a list

Brene Brown has a good podcast series often interviewing really interesting people, they are warm and life affirming in a non-cringing way. I take myself off for a walk and listen.

I also find curling up with a good movie - nothing too action packed - and a cup of tea helps me feel better if I’m a bit frazzled.

Great post

Just bumping for the Sunday crowd as I expected more responses on this thread , I'm sure other readers will benefit just as much hopefully

That’s great you have school hours free for some me time OP. My time is in the evening once my little ones are in bed and the house is tidied up. I try to practice yoga once a week but would love to do it more often in the week.
Another idea is to give yourself a pedicure, paint your nails or try a face mask.
I don’t listen to podcasts but would like to do that more. Listening to music from when I was younger is great and lifts my mood.
I also find a good declutter helps me feel better afterwards!