We live in a crazy, crazy world where a lot of things happen. We get too caught up in our own rat races (9-to-5 working schedule, prepping the meal, taking care of your kids and so on) that we usually forget to take care of the most important person in this picture: ourselves.
Why rewarding yourself?
Well… it’s simple; reward yourself simply because you are worthy. There might be people around you who remind you this – cherish those people! – but it is always best to remind this yourself from time to time.
Related: 7 Steps to the Perfect Pampering Evening
From my point of view rewarding myself means make small gifts from me to myself. It sounds weird, I’m aware of that. But I think that having a small time window (almost) each week when you stop everything to truly appreciate and remind yourself that you are worthy can be very beneficial for one’s mental health and confidence.
Set some rules
Since this is a weekly “thing” let’s establish some rules:
- if you want to make it about money and buying stuff, set a budget and stick to it like your life would depend on that;
- don’t make it all about food (especially if you’re trying to stick to a diet).
1. Identify your favourite things
… that you don’t do too often. It should feel as a reward, shouldn’t it? Write them down, it’s easier to visualise everything and give them stars – based on how big the reward is.
2. Set limits and be realistic
Getting an expensive pair of shoes every week just because you feel like you deserve them, it’s not ok. Don’t be a little-spoiled brat and set some strict limits that will not leave you bankrupt. Just sayin’.
3. Save it for something bigger
Maybe you don’t actually feel like rewarding yourself this week, so the money, energy or time you were going to invest in your reward can be put to some other good. Save that extra day off and that extra money for later on for something bigger like a city break in your favourite spot.
Here are some ideas on how you can reward yourself on a weekly basis
1. Disconnect
It sounds like a cliche… I know. But refusing to touch any technology for a day will certainly make you feel better. You will actually have time to be with yourself and notice things around you that you were not even aware they existed before. Things like slow mornings, enjoying a cup of hot tea or coffee, while watching the sunrise are priceless to me. They bring me so much peace of mind.
Related: How to Relax in 60 Seconds
You do not need to do something to feel productive or guilty if you are just idling in bed or at the balcony gazing on the sunrise or sunset. Your brain is an incredible tool. It can solve problems during sleep and especially when doing relaxing activities that have nothing to do with the problems. If you do not believe it, think of a moment when you took a shower and an idea just pops in your head out of nowhere which in fact was a solution to one of your challenges at work or in life.
Related: 8 Things to Do on Lazy Weekends
So disconnecting might actually be a true way of getting inspired
2. Make it material
We find pleasure in buying things. And not any kind of things – usually useless things. So, make it material – but don’t forget rule number 2. here are some suggestions:
- a manicure/pedicure
- spa day
- a day out
- watch a film at the cinema
- buy a little clothing/beauty/tech item you always wanted
If you do decide to go for something material, note that the happiness won’t last. Choose to “invest” in experiences, rather than in material belongings.
3. Write a gratitude journal
This is more of a long-term idea. Writing at the end of the day or week what you were grateful for today is a known practice of successful and happy people. But the important part if to take some time and read your notes to remind yourself how many beautiful things happen and how grateful you were back then.
Related: How to Get Over Stressful Periods of Time
4. Nature road trip
Spending time in nature, disconnected from everything, even for a few hours will boost your mood immediately. You are far away from the urban jungle, the beauty of nature is surrounding you and you can be with yourself and your thoughts.
5. Catch up
You can catch up with a lot of things, such as:
- your health
- your friends and family
- yourself
I usually regret that I don’t talk as much as I’d wish with my friends and relatives. This is actually one of the biggest regrets people have on their dying beds. So I try to learn from other’s regrets. I always feel better after I have a quick chat with my grandparents or dear friends.
Catching up with yourself is super important. You can do this whatever you think is best: evaluate yourself, think about future goals and so on.
Taking care of your health shouldn’t be a reward. But we get so busy, that feels like a reward. So don’t ignore your health (each type of it).
6. Practice a long forgotten hobby
Maybe you used to love to knit or draw, but because life happened you never had time for it. Set aside a few hours each week to practice that long-forgotten hobby. Relax and enjoy yourself while improving a new skill.
I know how easy it is to put yourself on the second place. You can wait an extra week, month or year for the little gift to yourself you want to make for a long now. You can wait, the people around you need you more and you can wait. STOP DOING THIS! You should be the most important person in your life. I’m not telling you to be vain, just to look after yourself and reward yourself, because you’re worth it.
32 comments
A little bit of coffee daily is my fave reward Cristina. Love it. Little treat for me, for being a good blogging boy LOL.
Yes! I love to reward myself with coffee, bubble bath, massage… I need to do it more often 😉
Love the disconnect tip – it sometimes feels like a luxury but it’s so needed!
i love the point about being realistic with your reward! I think it’s easy to splurge a little too much and then your reward ends up adding more stress!
It’s way too often I find myself forgetting to reward myself for the good that I’ve done and the things I’ve accomplished. My next reward is scheduled for next week. 🙂 A half hour deep tissue massage!
Sounds like a plan. Enjoy the massage, Carley, you deserve it!
I think rewarding yourself is so important. I need to do it. I used to take dance classes and just stopped to take my son to sports games/practices. I would love to find time to fit some dance back in my life – which would be my weekly treat.
That is so nice! I really hope you can take up dance again, Yolanda!
Love this! So important to take time for yourself and re-group x
It is so important to give your time to what really matters, I love that you mentioned to call family and friends. It seems that people are so busy they forget to connect with the people that are dear to them and will be with them always. For myself, right now, I have to set up some boundaries when it comes to social media. I am finding that promoting my new blog can use up all my time, I am trying to adjust and set a schedule for blog promotion and turn off social media at other times of the day.
All of these are great tips! I especially love the one about getting in touch with nature — there’s something so restorative and rewarding about that especially as I live in a big city!
I love this – I’m all about self love! We live some pretty hectic lives, it’s just as important to take care of ourselves as it is the others around us!
I love this!!! I definitely need to be better at rewarding myself. I think it would help me be more productive!
really great ideas here! It’s so important to make sure that we motivate ourselves and this is such a nice, organised way to do it!
These are such great tips, and I totally agree with rewarding yourself, it’s so important!
I am WAY too good at rewarding myself ? “You totally deserve this fancy pen, Taylor, you worked hard today” I won’t have any money left soon ?
Oh, yeah… I’ve switched from “do I actually need this?” to “I just want it”. But in most of the cases, I like to believe I’m rational and responsible.
I SO wish I could say the same lol xD
I love this post, girly! You have no idea how much I needed this – saving and sharing with the world. I definitely love switching up the ways I reward myself each week. Some weeks it’s spa-like self-care – painting nails, face masks. Other weeks it’s treating myself to a new top or trip to my favorite coffee shop.
Glad it this article was perfectly timed for you, Summer! I like every now and then to get a full swimming pool day because I love swimming a lot (although some might consider it as working out).
yes girl! As a mom of 3, taking care of myself gets put on the backburner ALOT! We recently moved to Colorado, so getting out into to nature in the mountains is my favorite!
Practicing a hobby or a passion project that you’re focusing on are things I enjoy doing to treat myself each week. I’m working on some writing, so I’ll set the mood with candles, comfy clothes, hot chocolate and it helps enjoy working on something each week.
I love this post! All of these reward ideas are wonderful and so important for our happiness. 🙂
I think it’s super easy to get into the habit of rewarding yourself with food so I try to be conscious of that! I like material goals – saving for it and having a goal in mind and then being able to reward myself and buying it (my next splurge is a Jo Malone candle if I can reach my fitness goal by the end of November!)
Otherwise, a nice pamper night with healthy popcorn (here we go with the food haha), a movie and my laptop is my FAVE
http://www.elleisforlove.com
I also do love to buy things that I really don’t actually need, but I really want. But I don’t think is a good idea in the long term to reward yourself only with material things – they don’t bring that much happiness afterall.
Agreed!!! “stuff” will make you happy in the moment but not in the long term !!
These are great ideas of ways to reward yourself! One of my favorite rewards is a long hot bath.
I am a pain for overworking myself, this is something that I really need to get into the habit of! thanks for some fabulous ideas
Please put them into practice, Amanda. Overworking will show its teeth at some point.
Great post! I am all for the gratitude journal. I practice that and it is wonderful
I think the most rewarding thing I’ll do for myself would be disconnecting. I am ALWAYS in front of screens except when I’m sleeping. I wish I had more time to focus on blogging while also succeeding at my job! Great advice! 🙂
I love that you mentioned disconnecting as well as writing in a gratitude journal. Both are so important and helpful!