In the words of Tom & Donna: “Treat yo’ self” this line has become so iconic over the years and to be honest with you I use it WAYYYY more than once a year, it’s more like once a week, OOPS. The meaning of the saying is to me, so important. Personally, working in education, I feel that a lot of my own energy is given to others, the needs of students are put before mine, which is totally okay with me until my bucket is empty. I can imagine being a parent is very similar, the needs of others are before their own. As I have changed roles, I am now working with more adults than students, and I am continually telling the adults that to do/be their best educators they need to take time for themselves, do things they enjoy. It is easy to continue to go through the motions of the work week, and before you know it, you are resenting your job. Especially in the last few months of school when it is crunch time.
Que “treat yo’ self”!
The 3 words that allow us to do things for ourselves when we often don’t do that. I want to share with you ways that you can “treat yo’ self” without going broke because although your girl loves a good shopping “treat yo’ self” spree, my bank account doesn’t and then I am stressed again vicious cycle.
I don’t know about you, but it has taken me a good few years and even know to figure out the things that bring me joy. Part of treating yo’ self is doing things you enjoy and if you don’t know it’s hard to actually “treat yo’ self.”
My first step was to figure that out, really think about the things that I can do that won’t cause me more stress, but refill my bucket. To figure this out, I listed out activities, items that bring me some type of joy! After, I ranked them 1-5, 1 little joy and 5 lotta joy!
Here is an example of my list:
- Playing with Tucker (5)
- Working out (5)
- Walks (4)
- Time with Nick (5)
- Cooking (3)
- Shopping (5)
- Drawing (3)
- Food (3)
- Reading (4)
- Watching TV (4)
Now some of these are ones that would cost money, and some are free, I think its good to have variety, but not solely relying on ones that cost money so that you can “treat yo’ self” more often!
After ranking, them, it makes it easier to determine which ones I will do more often and ones that I will save for once a month not the once a week, AKA shopping 😊
I take one day, at the minimum, to choose to do one of the items on my list to re-fill that bucket that is so often depleted. I decided to do once a week because I think it is essential to keep the bucket filled so that you are at full capacity rather than waiting for you to be entirely on empty to re-fill, it is like a car you don’t want to get to empty you wanna fill prior! LOL, even tho I def am the person who will wait to fill my car up till the last minute, I loathe getting gas LOL.
Working out has become a treat myself activity. Now, I pay a membership at a gym each month, but for about a year I was doing home workouts for free, and still will do those on days I am not at the gym. I have been doing Blogilates on youtube! Her exercises are amazing and the best part FREE! So much variety, so if you can’t work into your budget a gym membership that is an excellent option for you to do, all ya need is a computer and you! If you do have it in the budget to join a gym I recommend joining one that you like, thanks captain obvious, but it is so true, there are so many gyms out there some are more popular than others, so I find it essential to find one that supports and brings you a sense of community!
Although I am working out each day, I take time to do other things on my list when I am feeling I need to “recharge.” When I do them, I set time aside from my schedule and do it. Whether it is right when I get home, before I go to bed, I make sure to do it because when I don’t, I am not at full capacity which helps NO one! If you are parent, life can be so busy, and you probably have SO much to do whether you stay home or work, so it thinks it is so important to schedule that time. Whether it be in the morning before everyone’s awake or at night after everyone’s asleep, just find the time and schedule it (easier said than done I can imagine, not being a parent yet).
Now, shopping is my top “treat yo’ self” activity, but with my budget, it can’t be the one I do most often… if I am candid tho, I do it more than I should LOL. This fills my bucket because I can use whatever I buy. Whether it is clothes, make-up, shoes I get immediate satisfaction when I buy!
Really my point is to find the things that bring you joy and treat yo’ self! It is essential to be the best version of yourself so that you can show up each day at full capacity.
What are treat yo’ self-activities? Let’s share and help each other out!
Honestly Elise
