What small things do you to be nice to yourself?

[Hobnobswantshernameback]

It's been a tricky few months and horrible hormonal probably menopause related anxiety and tired have combined to leave me at a bit of a low ebb
So on a Monday I walk a different route to work which although longer is nicer and stop on the way and sit in a cafe for 10 minutes for a coffee
Only something small but feels a bit of a treat for just me
Helps clear my head
Any ideas of other small things that may help boost me up but without taking a load of time or money

I take some time out for myself and follow favourite youtubers with a cup of tea.

Some mornings I buy a crossiant to have with with coffee

Nice bath / music and candles.
Fresh flowers (I just get them in aldi with my supermarket shop)

Sorry you are going through a hard time

I like the flowers idea
Never buy them and tell DH off for wasting money if he does
But they do feel like a treat

I love a hot bath with epsom salt or bubble bath and to read a book in it when I'm feeling down.

How are you finding winter as well? I find a sad light and vitamin d helps me get through the dark months a bit better.

Neck/shoulder & back Massage (I've been once & it was amazing!) costly but I'll be going again.

A lovely relaxing bath

Pedicure

Getting my nails or hair done

A small tube of really nice hand cream in my hand bag - I use it after tricky work meetings or just for a minute to myself. Doesn’t cost much but is a little luxury.

-Bath with bomb
-Flowers (perhaps you could start a succulent pot instead)
-Self motivational podcast(there are a few out there, can take a while to find one that feels)
-pumpkin spice latte (made at home with bought syrup, light coffee, and goat's milk)
-camomile tea
-two activia gut health strawberry yogurts
-hair wash and dry with all the products
-treating myself to s frappe or iced latte

*to find one that GELS

I go for a run, I always feel SO much better after it. I also love scented oils (White Co ones are lovely) and have one on the go if I at home.

Low expectations.

I've created my own sitting room, we had a proper roof put on the conservatory, it's now usable.

My choice of furniture, lovely cushions, lamps etc.

Favourite room fragrance, pot pourri, candles.

Bought a new TV.

Myself and the dogs use it every day, it's a man free zone. When my friends visit it's a great space.

Being outdoors is really good for boosting mental wellbeing so your longer more scenic walk is a great idea.

I’m not very green fingered but I’ve planted some bulbs in a pot for spring (with much instruction from DF!). Do you have a outdoor space you could do something like that?

I think I’d focus on things that bring you happiness and dedicate more time to that. I would pick up a new book that I’ve been waiting to read, dig out a jigsaw puzzle I don’t usually have time to start etc.

Feeling low and a bit flat can also make me feel a bit isolated. I think that I’ll be rubbish company so can get in the habit of drifting away from people a bit. When really, without even knowing how you’re feeling, they can help lift you up. I’d consider texting a friend for a chat, invite them out for a coffee/drink after work.

I hope you find lots of lovely ways to treat yourself every day .

I agree about getting flowers! Really does brighten up a room and intend to buy scented flowers as a nice smell is soothing. When I'm struggling, I try to have mindful-drink-breaks, where I take a can of Diet Coke or a takeaway tea and sit on a park bench and have the drink in a relaxed manner without looking at my phone, and just observe the scenery and enjoy my drink.
Oh and World of books .com for a couple of cheap paperbacks- second hand online bookshop, has a wide range of things! Take care OP

L'occitaine Shea butter soap for hand washing.

I do a 20 minute skincare routine every night before bed which really makes me feel nice and seems luxurious, but it's not expensive stuff - inkey list. Cheap, but makes me feel amazing (and skin looks amazing). It's kinda meditative.

I also meditate with the headspace app. Worth every single penny. Very self-care-y.

Nice beautifully scented hand cream.

Nice pens, nice diary, and pastel highlighters. Ha sounds so silly, but I get a little dopamine kick out of it I guess.

Sitting down to watch a feel good romcom or schitts creek or something, with huge cup of tea and nice biscuits/bowl of spiced apple crumble and cream/bowl of Irish stew/some other comfort food. Same with a really good book.

Things I do:

Get up earlier than anyone else, brew fresh coffee with whisked up hot milk, feed the birds and watch them come down into our garden. Favourite moment of the day.

Meditate for 5- 10 mins each morning - just a quick youtube start your day session.

Buy lovely scented bath stuff. If you don't want to splash out on really expensive brands I massively recommend Faith in Nature brand which is about £5-6 in supermarkets and about £4 on Amazon. Lovely natural essential oil scents. Run a deep bath, sometimes by candlelight, with favourite music playing.

Buy beautiful notebooks and day dream in them - design dream homes or make bucket lists etc.

Yoga and bootcamp or go for walks in nature several times a week.

Cuddle the cat. He is a very affectionate old boy who adores a good snuggle and purrs into my ear.

Buy an escapist novel or a book of lovely poetry and curl up for half an hour reading it (or read it in the bath.)

Find some funny extracts from shows I like - SNL or Frasier or Parks & Rec, The IT Crowd etc and just watch the highlights for half an hour. Always end up giggling and feeling uplifted. Or do the same on Youtube with some favourite uplifting songs/

Lots of good ideas
Back exercising after a break and can see the impact
Winter and lack of light def has an impact
Small things can make such a difference

I have a long bath every night. DH entertains 5 month old DD and I have bubbles, book, phone and lock the door. It's my favourite time of day 😂.

DH also buys me flowers randomly, somtimes supermarket ones or posh ones occasionally. I love flowers!

Get outside as soon as I can see it's a nice day. I feel chained to my desk by expectations so this really does feel like a break. I let the sun shine on my face and breath in for a few counts. Very good at re-setting your mood.

Stretch. Again, time constraints mean I don't do yoga during the day but doing a good stretch every hour or so helps

I've put prettier things on my work desk (WFH) so I currently have a tea light burning in a lovely silver holder, and a mini gin bottle with dried flowers in it. It looks lovely.

Going to bed early to read.

Wine from my favourite glass on a Friday night.

When I can, a long walk with a podcast. I only manage this once a week but I do look forward to it.

Raspberry ruffle bars. My weakness.

I second flowers. DH thinks it's a waste but they bring me joy.

Mine are very weird

I go to the 'naicer' bathroom in my house when I want 5 mins peace to 💩

I go and get my hair washed in the hairdressers. It's such a chore to wash & dry. Pre covid my local charged me £8 for a wash & blow dry. I did it once a week but they've since closed down

If I'm child free, I'll skip dinner, get a load of snacks & head to bed at 6pm for the evening.

During the summer, I'd finish off my towels in the tumble so they weren't hard & scuffy just off the line.

Winter, I preheat my towels in the tumble before a my shower.

Buy myself a pack of hotel chocolat chocs, just because

Oh another - threw out all my tights and started a fresh with unbelievably comfy ones from snag that actually fit my weird long torso body shape. It's a joy to wear comfortable tights instead of constant hoiking at them.

Get outside. Even if just for half an hour at lunch.

I wear perfume every day and get a pedicure every few months.

Buy myself little things on Ebay. Have a nice bath with bubbles or bath salts. Have an early night and watch a film in bed while DH tickles or rubs my back.

I always put makep and perfume on. Not alot, often just an eyebrow pen and tinted moisturiser. Its more about the ritual of self care than anything else. Those few minutes are my "hey,you are important too" momemts and I treasure them. Also 10min with coffee and lit candles before everyone wakes up and the chaos starts.

What a lovely thread!

It’s inspired me to run again, I’ve had an awful month and I’m fed up with wallowing and anxiety (I have a panic disorder)

My favourite treat is new pyjamas!

Ooh one mine is nice clean pyjamas and climbing into a fresh clean bed with a cup of tea