What are the best things you've done just for yourself?

[MadMAGA]

Mine would be:

• Doing an OU degree. It took 6 years but it was really interesting and the feeling of accomplishment at the end was worth the slog.
• Going on Mounjaro. I'm 30kg down and feel great.

Both cost a bomb and needed long-ish term commitment that took money/time that wasn't centred on the DC, but I'd say they were worth it for the improvement they made to my life.

Not enough! But last year I joined a gym with a pool and twice a week I have a swim, steam room, sauna and jacuzzi session. It feels like the the ultimate treat an escapism. Totally worth the £50pm.

So impressed by people doing degrees in later life. I have been wanting to do a masters for years but never found the time (nor the £)

Laser eye surgery, 21 years on and I still love that I can read a number plate without wearing glasses!
A mattress topper that feels like sleeping on a cloud.
Botox - subtle tweaks that make me look and feel fresher.

Time for myself, my garden, weight training, journalling.

Great ❤️

Just to say regarding the permanent hair straightening (depending on your hair type).... it will be amazing to start with but then once you have a couple of inches of hair growth at the root, it's tricky to style. Hopefully others will share their experience too! 🧖

Also OU degree, just in subjects I was interested in

Another one for an OU degree, 6 years part time and was then hooked. Have done two diplomas since, all remote learning. I was just ‘mum’ for so long, it gave me a whole new identity.

I'm impressed by people who have done more than one degree p/t. I took a subject I was interested in and I was still very ready for a rest but the time I graduated. I'm doing a Level 7 apprenticeship now after a 5-year break and feel sad that the government has stopped them for new entrants.

Put my caravan on a seasonal pitch somewhere beautiful. Now every weekend, I swim in the sea and walk the rugged coastline.

Love the OU/late degree fans on this thread. I did an OU BA & MA in Art History when I retired from the computing industry and it was fantastic. Sadly, it's way more expensive than it was. My degree modules for one academic year cost £700. When I thought I'd like to do a new Art History module standalone, it would have cost £3,000. <sigh>.

But, for anyone not in England/not with an existing degree check out the prices. They vary ridiculously. Good to be Scots. And if you're curious, check out https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue

Another later in life degree here and bought myself a Porsche to say well done for the first career and business sale. (No I don’t drive it to uni!)

Ooo that's fancy! Well done you!

I would love a flashy car but spend way too much money on cats and need a sensible car for hauling DC around the country. When they're grown up, I'll consider it.

Got my varicose veins done on both legs - private. So much less painful and I can wear shorts again without scaring people.

£3000 as they had a BOGOF offer.

@pulpJarvis I know it's not the same but I was considering laser for my spider veins. Did it hurt?

The bit that was a bit uncomfortable was the pin prick local anasthetic to put the lasers up the veins. But there was a feeling of warmth from the laser but nothing else.

Similar to OP in some ways

Weight loss surgery - I lost 11 stone, maintained, reversed my diabetes, and developed a keen interest in sports that were absolutely out of the question for me before

OU degree just because I fancied it, but also...

Quitting my OU degree after FIVE YEARS with only a year left to do, because it was making me miserable

Went part time at work for no good reason (children are older but I'm still only mid-forties) other than I could

Learned how to 'drop the rope'. If someone wants to play mental, emotional, or verbal tug of war with me, it only works if I pull from the other side. If I just let it go, then they can't play.

Stopped having relationships, never had a good one!
Non contact with abusive family members.
Happiest I've ever been.

Taking up running in my late thirties. I didn't know at the time what a good thing it would turn out to be.

Post retirement - going back to horse riding.

I used to be quite good! I used to have a horse, ride cross country, do some basic dressage and all that and I can't believe how bad I have become after only about ten years away from regular riding. But I'm having lessons again (for the first time in about forty years!) and I don't CARE that my transitions are messy and I clear the world's tiniest jump like I've never even seen a pole on the ground before. The feeling of accomplishment is wonderful.

In my fifties I came into a small amount of money and for the first time in my life, spent £1k on myself. i hired two Pts and started working out properly. After 3 months I was fit enough to drop the PTs and join bootcamps. i did four a week and lost 15lbs in a year without dieting. It felt so good.

The other was do do Camino Frances. Just walking, all alone, for a month across Spain, thinking my own thoughts or in a sort of nature trance, staring at birds, sky, wild flowers for miles and hours on end.

CBT for OCD (literally life changing maybe even life saving)

Got into Tai Chi

Starting to put myself first or nearly first more of the time.

Learnt to drive at 44
Gave up smoking after 22 years
Lost 12 stone, 7 on Mounjaro
Took up fitness in my 40's and now strength train or gym 5 days a week and walk 12 to 15000 steps a day
Paid off 25k of debt over 10 years

Well done on your achievements. Im very proud of mine

100% consider it and what a lovely thread all these amazing women.

Completed a PhD in my own time around a job and raising a very small child during the pandemic. It took 4 and a half years, which for part time time is quite quick.

It's my greatest personal achievement and I use my Dr title without apology. I earned it.

Well done to everyone on this thread. You are all awe inspiring!

Cold water swimming .
we live near lots of great places to do it.
I never anticipated being an outdoor swimmer but it’s great !