How would you reward yourself if you had done something incredible?

[MissandeiofNaath]

This post is going to be all over the place, as I have some very complicated feelings. I have accomplished something that I am fairly certain only very few people have. For instance, I am fairly certain no one on MN has. I can't say what as it is really outing and people who know me may recognise me. ( hence NC). Let's just say it is an incredibly difficult thing, and it was not even my choice. I just made the best of a bad job.

I want to reward myself in some way. I probably don't get enough validation or credit because no one really understand how tough and lonely it has been. My Dh understands but not enough. My mum understands but not enough.

I am not a materialistic person, so not very keen on designer bags, shoes, watches, clothes,or jewelry. I went on a solo holiday recently to a meaningful place, and that was great, but I feel like I want to do something more to feel "seen" if anyone can understand what I mean. I don't feel entirely seen.
I tried therapy, but it didn't work very well for me, because even the therapist didn't understand me.

I know I sound very needy!

Well done on your achievement! What do you mean by being seen? How do you see yourself?

Some random ideas to follow - an art course with a local artist - a circus skills course - an advanced diploma in something related to get the qualification to go with the achievement - a very good winter coat and pair of boots that someone of your achievement levels might wear - a personal assistant - a visit to a dermatology beauty clinic - your custom perfume - a ring that will always remind you and others will see.

Anything there at all?

Commission a portrait? or a piece of music? Throw enough money at it and you can have a gallery or theatre named after you. Or donate a bench to the local park with your name on it.
Stand for election? If anybody votes for you - doubtful, if your manifesto reads anything like the above - then that's public validation.

Yes I reward myself all the time! Go for it OP!

Write a book about your achievement?

Make friends with a screen writer and tell them all about it?

Or is it something that might be better as a staged narrative?

It certainly sounds too big for the default ‘get a new haircut to celebrate’ … (There are two new posts I haven’t seen. No disrespect if you’ve mentioned haircuts!)

Tattoo?

Throw a party to celebrate? So all your nearest and dearest can "see" you.

A tattoo would be brilliant … if you actually wanted one?

Have a star named after you.

(If this wasn’t already part of your endeavour) set up a charity to make doing whatever it was less difficult?

Weekend away somewhere I have always wanted to go. I am training to do a very long charity swim after a period of stress and ill growth. If I do it I'm treating myself to a trip to Sarajevo!

Thank you all for the suggestions. I very much like the idea of a bench in memory of my father, who died before he could see anything I have done. It's expensive, though. But probably worth it. I think setting up a charity would be pretty hard, but I also like the idea of a scholarship for someone deserving. I think both these will last. I don't know why I didn't think of these before, instead of an object.

Also, I have written a book, which was published and is in bookstores. One of my achievements, though not actually the big one!

Please no- I can't ever see this as a reward. A punishment maybe

Champagne is never wrong. Well, unless you don't like it..

I'm astonished that it's a massive achievement but no one in your family recognised it? What's wrong with them?

So is the book not about your big achievement? If not, could you write a book about it?

@SummerHouse no, but not sure I want to.

@DynamicK they do in a way, but I want some memento of it. I guess it's like when women get tattoos:) Though I am very much not a tattoo person.

Welli t sounds like you want people to know what you've done and how hard it was and be impressed

Could you write an article about it - would it get press interest? Writing a book about it is quite a long process. Post something to your Facebook page? Start an AMA where you can explain what you've done and everyone will ask you lots of questions to understand it, altho that's still fairly anonymous?

What about sending your story to a journalist - like an interview in a magazine or paper? Or if it's that incredible apply for an MBE?

It must be something extremely niche if you reckon nobody on Mumsnet has done it...
Maybe that's why nobody noticed.