To think we deserve to use our "nice" stuff?

[Wickerwillow]

Every day I wear the same drab jeans and frumpy jumpers on rotation, yet I have a wardrobe full of beautiful tops and dresses in lovely finishes. Beautiful jewel tones in silk, linen or velvet still with the tags on that have never seen the light of day because I'm saving them "for best".

I've come to the conclusion that "best" never happens and "special occasions" rarely seem special enough when the day arrives. I seem to be waiting for all these worthy occasions that will be deserving of that bit of extra effort yet I can't remember the last time I gave myself permission to wear something that fell into the hand-wash only/iron on cool category...

Beaded indian slippers I never dare to wear around the house as they're too fragile.

The "nice" foundation kept at the back of the drawer, choosing instead to wear my cheap, old, dried up stuff because, you know, it's only Tuesday.

Good napkins shunned in favour of a scraggy bit of kitchen roll at dinner.

Scented candles never lit in case they, god forbid...actually burn....

My new resolution is to make use of at least one "special" thing that I already own every single day and stop accumulating treats that never get used.

Is anyone else guilty of this?

I could of wrote this! I used to keep chocolates given to me as I was saving them?
Perfumes .. wearing them? No way! I'll use a body spray or a cheap one because it's only for special occasions..
That lovely jo malone candle? Display only..

This lasted for about 8 years. I now burn all my candles, I wear my lovely perfume every day I eat the chocs the same day. Life's to short to save your nice things, and why shouldn't you use things daily that you actually love using ?

Yes! I’ve made that resolution too. Now I’ve got a poster saying “treat yo self” in the study and I only buy good stuff that I enjoy wearing/using. 😂 life is too short. Gave away 5 big bags of older / ill fitting clothes and now only buy stuff that makes me feel amazing.

Yep - house full of stuff that has been kept for 'best'. Pointless - now working my way through all the candles, crockery, beautiful outfits and wearing 'best jewellery' to go supermarket shopping - eek!

I started using my good expensive china for everyday use recently as I thought whats the point if having it gathering dust- it would like having it in a museum. I have a velvet coat and now Im thinking I should wear it with jeans so its smart casual. Ive had it over 10 yrs and only worn it a handful if times. Yr right of course and now In going to look through my shoes etc too. We dont know when our times up so what are we waiting for? Carpe diem and all that! Thanks OP you have made me have a rethink! You wear those beaded slippers and feel amazing in them!

I'm a cancer survivor. I never keep anything for "best" - every day is a day to use your nice things, because you never know what will happen tomorrow.

My lovely friend lost her mum suddenly, and told me that she found it upsetting going through her mum's things and finding so much stuff kept for 'best', but best never came.

Use the stuff. Don't keep it for best. Now is the best. You are the best.

I used to do this - until I read an article written by someone clearing out a relatives house after they passed away and found all the things she'd been keeping for 'best' Tucked away and unused. Since then I burn the candles, use the bath oil, eat the truffles 😊 I started small and gave myself permission to use / wear / eat the good stuff on a Friday, now it's second nature.

I totally agree but whenever I wear or use it people seem to make bitchy comments along the lines of me being overdressed!

I had a designer watch which I loved. It was kept in our safe and taken out for weddings and special occasions. In 5 years I probably wore it less than a dozen times.

Then my mum died, very suddenly and unexpectedly. It made me realise that there was no point in keeping stuff for best. You should enjoy things whilst you can.

I wear that watch every day now. It still gives me pleasure to look at it.

I have some nice glasses that only come out for Christmas and other special occasions. This is because I am a clumsy bugger.

Candles get burnt though. Clothes get worn, though I have some I wear when I'm going out because I work in a school and don't want them ruined with paint and bogies.

I don't really get the whole not using something ever thing though. It's like you're telling yourself you aren't good enough to deserve it. Bugger that.

I started using my ‘good stuff’ for every day a few years ago when I decided I wanted today to be the good day and the day I looked my best.

I’ve told DP this too, we only have nice cutlery and nice crockery, I want to use it. Not have it taking up space not being used.

I'm encouraged - let's go for those best things. Life is not a rehearsal!

I know what you mean! DS 'accused' me of taking DD to dance class looking as if I was going to a party. Some days I want to just blend in and creep about. Other days I want to let people know I exíst.

I sat at a first floor café window today watching the crowds in the street below. Grey, black, navy blue clothes for almost everyone with the occasional red or yellow and a surprising amount of orange! Bright colours on a dull rainy day is what we need I think!

I have no 'best' things.

I've started using my nice things.

I think there comes an age where you stop sweating the small stuff!

The thing is-you keep the perfume-it evaporates and goes off.
You keep the makeup-that also goes off.
The linen napkins get dusty and yellow.

All these things are now no longer best and you end up throwing them out and so waste money.

Use the stuff and feel best all the time
Chocolate should always be eaten straight away, this is the law in my house 🍫

You need to swap those things round. Pulk your good foundation to the front. Put the crumbly stuff at the back for emergencies.

Every day is a best day because you are here to live it.

Treat yourself to one nice thing a day.
That way, you're using it, but not so quickly you feel uncomfortable about it.
My luxury is perfume. I use it every day before I go to work. It makes me feel good.

My Mum died 8 weeks ago. I now have her kept for best china which I will use tomorrow. Tonight I wore her coat which she wore once. Life's too short.

I also came to this realisation a few years ago.

Now whatever I buy is for every day life, not ‘best’. I realised my life kinda got upgraded in a way......or more accurately, I had a better life in my wardrobe and on my dressing table (perfumes jewellery etc) than I was wearing/living! Now I don’t, and it’s great. I buy less as I am usuing everything I have and it’s great.

People have gotten used to me being more presentable/dressed up than them (eg warring make up when they are, wearing nicer clothes when they are very casual) and no one comments on it anymore. I think they expect it of me, and I am very happy with that expectation and with my life

Sorry, typos:

• wearing makeup, when they aren’t

I always eat the good chocolates today. Therefore I have to wear the nice dress today as well, for it might not fit me tomorrow.
It's a good thing I can't afford good chocolates every day.

But yes. My DSis has had a bottle of champagne sitting on a shelf, waiting for a special occasion. It's been there for years. Drink the bloody champagne.You can afford another one if you need it.

I'm very sorry for your loss FlamingGoat. I am one who is guilty of saving things "for best". I'll correct that, I'll wear those things, use those things, enjoy those things, and I'll think of you and your Mama when I do it.

I’ve some things that I think are so special they merit an Occasion. Mostly shoes and dresses.

Crockery - nah. I’ve been using Wedgwood saucers as ashtrays for guests.

FlamingGoat I totally understand what you are saying, my Mum passed away 18 months ago, when I was sorting out her clothes I found a jacket that I’d bought her the previous Christmas, still with the tags on, she’d never had the chance to wear it 😢. I remember when I bought it it was’so her’ it’s hanging in my wardrobe, still with the tags on, I’ll wear it soon - I’ve put weight on so I’ve been worried if it’s too tight 😩 I’ll get there tho and think about my Mum every time I wear it

I generally use and enjoy my nice things, but if I know I am going to do something messy/sweaty then I wil wear clothes that don't matter., Lovely ballgowns are not the thing to wear when you are digging out a fishpond, for example.