When it comes to spoiling friends and family, we’re all happy to go the extra mile. But when it’s all about treating ourselves, we’ll often talk ourselves out of doing anything special.
If the last two years have shown us anything it’s that we deserve a break and to spoil ourselves every once in a while. After all, you work hard and spend time looking after people so you should do something nice for yourself too.
This doesn’t mean you have to spend loads of money (although you can if you want to) or do anything really big (that’s totally fine too), as little things can help make you smile just as much. So rather than neglecting yourself, why not treat yourself with one of our fun ideas?
Whether you’re having a tough time or simply want to do something nice for yourself, we guarantee that any of these ideas will help you feel pampered.
1. Order yourself a fancy meal box
Having a takeaway is a great way to give yourself a break from cooking and washing up, but if you tend to feel a bit guilty about ordering something unhealthy, it isn’t always the best option.
A meal box still requires cooking but it can allow you to indulge in restaurant-quality food at home (we tried Ding Dong Dim Sum recently and are big fans!). Most of them are really easy to make, have a choice of options - so you can pick something healthier than a greasy pizza if you want to - and allow you to have a fancy meal in the comfort of your own home.
This is a great option whether you’re eating alone or with someone else, especially as you can enjoy delicious food on your sofa while wearing PJs. While a restaurant is a nice night out, a meal kit takes away the stress of getting ready and leaving the house while also making sure you don’t need to go to the supermarket.
The only thing you need to do is supply the wine and leave the dishes to tomorrow.
2. Give yourself an afternoon off
We would say give yourself a day off but that can be difficult for many people. Whether you’re running around after the kids, trying to fit in errands around work or attempting to find time to walk the dog, a whole day off may not be realistic.
However, an afternoon or a few hours can be a lot more achievable, giving you a nice break and leaving you feeling refreshed. While you may be tempted to take some time off and just chill at home, doing so will probably mean you’ll end up doing housework, putting a load of washing on or checking your emails, so spend your time doing something you enjoy instead.
Go to a café, eat cake and read a book. Watch a film at the cinema on your own (it’s a lot more fun than it sounds and you don’t have to share snacks). Book in for a haircut, to get your nails done or a massage. Do whatever you want to for the amount of time you can take off without stressing yourself out.
3. Get yourself a little something
When was the last time you bought yourself something just because you liked it? The chances are you spot things that you like but talk yourself out of buying them.
Sometimes, it’s nice to treat yourself to something purely because you like it. It doesn’t even need to be something big or expensive, just so long as it’s something you want for no other reason than it makes you smile.
Pick yourself up a new mug, add a scented candle to your weekly shop, order an enamel pin to wear on your coat, choose a bath bomb for a relaxing soak or even just grab a tub of your favourite ice cream ready for a chilled night.
Not only is it nice to treat yourself to a gift, but it will also make you smile every time you see it or use it, which makes it a great investment.
4. Have a proper catch-up
As well as doing things on your own, sometimes you just need a good catch up with a loved one. Rather than a hurried phone call or a quick text, plan a few hours or even a full day to have a catch up with someone you haven’t seen in a while.
Whether they come to your house, you go to theirs or you meet up for a meal somewhere, give yourself plenty of time for a good natter. We’ve not been able to spend as much time with loved ones as we would have liked over the last 18 months or so, which means a good catch up with someone special will do wonders.
Even better, you should pop more dates in your calendar for catch-ups to make sure you don’t let yourself get too busy. Even if the next one is in a couple of months, it will give you something to look forward to and ensure you have some time to relax planned - which you probably don’t do enough!
5. Pamper yourself
Everyone’s idea of a pamper is very different, but there is no wrong way to pamper yourself. Whether you enjoy a long soak in the bath with mountains of bubbles or watching your favourite film while wrapped up in a blanket, a good pamper goes a long way to helping you relax.
One of the best things about a pamper is that you don’t need to dedicate loads of time to it if you’re super busy. You can fit a mini pamper around your busy calendar if you’re not able to set aside a few hours, which makes it a perfect way to treat yourself every week.
Pop a face mask on in between meetings, make your morning shower a bit more special with a fancy body wash, light a fragranced candle when you’re watching TV or take 10 minutes to paint your nails. The most important thing to remember is just to take your time and don’t rush, even if you only have a few minutes, as you should enjoy these little pamper moments.