It’s just the fifth day of the month, which means either most of you have already received your monthly paycheque, or you’ll be getting it within the next couple of days. I’m not talking about financially irresponsible here, but let’s face it! There’s always that something shiny we might have had our eyes on, even if it isn’t exactly new. I know people save up for months to get the things they really want, me included. But I’ve noticed that not a lot of people think it’s a good practice to indulge themselves once in a while.
All of your regular bills aside, I would like to know how many people get at least one thing they consider relatively ‘expensive’ by their standards when the pay hits their bank accounts!
I’ve always made it a point to get myself something ‘nice’ at least every month. In March, it was a silver bracelet, in February, it was tickets to Comic Con and the Ed Sheeran concert that happened in my city. This month, it’s a pair of shoes I’ve wanted for a really long time. It’s not always something exorbitant but it keeps me motivated. It’s the least I can do for myself for showing up every day, even if I’m not at my very best.
In fact, I’ve been doing this ever since I got a job. My Mom always told me that I should do something nice for myself, or invest my money or both, if I could. I guess that advice just stuck around and became a practice. It’s not even about being brand conscious or anything. But it’s knowing that you can give yourself something better, and if you want to feel the same sense of accomplishment, you’ll have to keep moving towards a personal goal. I know it all sounds very preachy, but trust me when I say this, treating yourself really does work wonders to keep you motivated.
Treating yourself obviously doesn’t mean going all Carrie Bradshaw and dropping $800 on a single pair of shoes. I mean, if that’s not a big deal to you, then go for it. But seriously, in this economy, bro? For most people, that’s a lot! Personally, I’d rather spend my money on experiences such as concerts or music parties, or travelling somewhere, than spend it on excessive things that I’ll probably never get around to using. I’m pretty sure there are some eyeshadow palettes that I’ve been gifted that I haven’t really used in a while. Oh well, looks like I’ll just have to use them when I go on a vacation next.
It’s the little things we do for ourselves that make life a tad more bearable. Sometimes, you have to take the pills that are the hardest to swallow and realize that there’s no one in the world who will treat you as well as you treat yourself. And since two things can be true at the same time, I’ll also tell you this: the way you treat yourself will always determine the way others treat you. It’s important to value yourself and let it known that you cannot settle for any less. After all, why shouldn’t you set a standard for yourself?
One of the hardest things I’ve had to learn from the way I’ve been treated in my past relationships is that I was always cast aside the second someone better came along because I always said I was “low maintenance” because I’ve never wanted to cause any trouble for people. But we have to understand that the rest of the world might not think the way we do. Of course, nobody has to prove their worth to anyone. But there’s a certain air about people who know their worth and treat themselves as such.
As of now, I am trying my extreme best to come out of my social slump and actually go out more. I’m trying to have all the fun that I couldn’t have in my early twenties due to the COVID hitting us right when I was beginning to travel more. By the time it ended, I had a full-time job which didn’t really allow me to travel as much as I’d wanted to. And then we moved to a town where there was virtually no place to go; that is, unless you were up for a 3 hour drive every single time.
In my 27th year, I am trying to enjoy myself as much as possible. I’m trying to say ‘no’ to opportunities less. It’s important to me that I make more memories because what else is the point of living at all if I can’t treat myself to nice experiences every once in a while?
You know how, back when we were all younger, we’d think, ‘When I have my own money, I’d do this for myself‘? Well. How much longer are you going to keep yourself waiting in search for the “right time”? Even I’ve had to learn this the hard way, but the right time never really rolls around unless we make something work for ourselves. Treating yourself isn’t just about being materialistic or rewarding yourself, it’s a way to keep your inner child alive.
Does it motivate you to keep going? Yes. Does it make you want to aim higher in life? Also yes. It’s not selfish, though. Saving money for the future aside, I ask myself what future am I even saving for if I have nothing from my present to look back at? What am I going to even reminisce about? How bland must life be for me to look back at some of my years and realize that they added absolutely nothing substantial or otherwise to my existence? What a shame.
Treating myself has always been about so much more than just me being impulsive with my money like a kid in a candy store. It has given me the confidence that I can do things for myself. That I don’t have to rely on someone else to do things for me all the time.
This has been a PSA. If you’re not treating yourself as much as you should, better start somewhere. Your future self will only thank you for it. Trust me on this.
Cheerio! Xx
Hey guys! I hope you liked this post. Let me know in the comments below or share with someone you might wanna show this to! You can also reach out to me and say ‘Hi’ on Twitter and Instagram. I’ll look forward to hearing from you.
Yours truly,
The Shubhster.
~Featured Image by Lucrezia Carnelos on Unsplash
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