Stop Saving the Good Stuff
Somewhere along the way, many of us became very good at saving things.
The good candle.
The expensive lotion.
The pretty dishes.
The dress we're waiting for somewhere special to wear.
The bottle we've been saving for the right occasion.
Even our time gets saved—as though someday we're going to reach a magical point when everything is finished and we can finally relax and enjoy ourselves.
Ladies.
This is the occasion.
Use the Good Stuff
Light the candle on a Tuesday.
Put the flowers from the grocery store in the pretty vase.
Wear the lipstick.
Take the bath at 4:30 in the afternoon.
Open the good olive oil.
Use the beautiful sheets.
Book the weekend away.
Get in the lake.
Order dessert.
Put on music while you're making dinner and dance badly in the kitchen.
None of these things need to be earned.
And they certainly don't need to be saved for someday.
Pleasure Belongs in the Wellness Conversation
We talk a lot about wellness in terms of what we should do.
Exercise. Sleep. Hydrate. Eat your vegetables. Take your vitamins.
All good things.
But what about enjoyment?
The things that delight us, make us laugh, help us feel connected, or simply make an ordinary day a little better deserve some room, too.
A long dinner with people you love.
Sunshine on your face.
Painting badly and loving every minute of it.
A ridiculously luxurious shower.
Touch.
Intimacy.
An afternoon nap without apologizing for it.
Sometimes taking care of ourselves looks less like discipline and more like allowing ourselves to enjoy the life we've worked so hard to build.
Don't Wait for Someday
Maybe that's one of the gifts of getting older.
We're beginning to understand that someday isn't really the point.
Today is.
So use your favorite body oil after the shower instead of rationing it. Make Sunday night a bath night. Put LOVE POTION on the nightstand. Buy yourself the flowers.
And for heaven's sake, stop saving the good candle.
You're a Betty.
Now counts as the special occasion.
