They say that the best things in life are
free, and in many respects, this
statement is very true. Money doesn’t buy happiness, and the super-rich are as likely to be unhappy as the rest of us. However,
what money can do is relieve the pressure of worrying about covering basic
living costs and caring for your family. Being able to support your loved ones
without incurring debts and the associated stress is the goal most people wish
to achieve. Once you have succeeded in maintaining this level of essential
expenditure, you are then free to indulge yourself and enjoy the finer things
in life.
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It’s
okay to treat yourself
If you have taken care of your
responsibilities, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t treat yourself to a little of what you fancy. Some
people find it hard to justify spending money on themselves because they are programmed to put their loved ones first.
It is a very honorable notion and one that is worth aspiring to, but that
doesn’t mean you have to become a martyr to your family. Being kind to yourself
is just as important as being kind to others. This is because for you to be healthy
and happy, you need to look after
yourself, and that includes treating
yourself whenever you can. You deserve pleasure and pampering as much as anyone
else, and your loved ones will almost
certainly want you to treat yourself because your happiness is equally
important to them.
Treating
yourself to possessions
There are two broad options when it comes
to spending money on yourself. You can choose to buy things you have always
wanted such as jewelry, clothes, art,
books, or anything else that you long to possess. What you buy is not as
important as the reason why you buy it, because your motivation is what will
determine how much pleasure you get out of something. For example, you might have
always wanted some expensive, Italian leather boots. You could get the very
boots you want for your budget, or you could get a cheaper version and still
have some spare cash to get the new bestselling novel you’ve been after as
well. Buying the cheaper version may make more sense financially, but will it
satisfy your longing for the genuine article? The answer to this depends on
what brings you more satisfaction, expensive boots or being able to make your
money go further. However, it’s important to understand your own thought processes. Which part of you is being fulfilled, is it the part that loves
expensive leather or the part that loves a bargain?
Treating
yourself to experiences
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The other option is to treat
yourself to an experience, something
that you have always wanted to do but have never had the chance to do before. It
is now possible to experience an incredible array of activities covering all
areas of interest. Maybe you’ve always wanted to try surfing or horseback riding. Now is your chance to give these
activities a chance! The popularity of experiences over possessions has grown
enormously in the last few years. Many people have recognized the value of the long-term rewards that are gained from doing something special
compared to the fleeting pleasure derived from purchasing possessions.
Experiences form lasting memories that will be a source of pleasure and a
shared form of enjoyment that will be
appreciated for years to come. If the idea of an experience appeals to
you as a way of treating yourself, why not involve your partner, family, or
friends to participate with you? Choose something you truly want to do, even if it’s a little scary and is outside of your comfort zone (and the comfort zone of
your loved ones!). Taking on a challenge is one of the most satisfying things
you can do because, as well as enjoying the experience, you will feel a genuine
sense of achievement.
Allowing
others to treat you
There are certain times in life when your
nearest and dearest wish to express their love by treating you to something
special. When this happens, it can be hard to accept the gesture graciously
simply because you may feel that in some way you don’t deserve this. On the other hand, if you tend
to feel a touch entitled, you may fail to
show the proper degree of appreciation, which will be unfair to your
benefactor. Finding the balance between these two positions is where the sweet
spot of mutual happiness lies. Accept that someone wants to give you a gift
because you are worthy of it and it makes them happy to do so. Something that
is often said is “Don’t spend all your money on me” or “Don’t buy the most
expensive thing just for me.” It is up to the person who is giving you a gift
to decide how much they want to spend, and by saying they should spend less,
you are diminishing both their gesture and your own
worth. Imagine your partner proposes to you. Overjoyed, you accept, and they present you with an exquisite diamond
engagement ring, or anillos de pedida as the Spanish call it. The ring is a stunning
high-quality item, made with love, care and with the finest jewels. This
awe-inspiring gift and gesture will not only enable them to show their love and
commitment, but you find mutual pleasure and joy in the exquisite jewelry
you’re now the proud owner of. It truly
is a fitting expression of their love for you
and your worth, and will show the world your love, devotion, and commitment together as a couple. This same
principle applies whenever you are given a gift or treat. You do deserve the
best, so don’t think you are worth any less.
Sharing
your treats
One of the nicest things you can do is
share your treats with those you love. If you can take your family with you to
enjoy your special experience or help you choose your treasured purchases, it
will be all the more enjoyable. They will be happy to share your pleasure and
see your appreciation, and for children,
it is important to understand that you need and deserve to have things for
yourself. It doesn’t mean that the focus
shouldn’t remain on you. For example, if you have been invited out for a
special meal at an expensive restaurant, if this is something your kids would
enjoy and be able to share, then there is no reason not to include them. If,
however, they are likely to be disruptive and unappreciative then don’t
sacrifice your special occasion just because you feel a responsibility to
include them. Book them a babysitter or a play date and make the most of your
evening off.
Choosing
your treats
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This is almost entirely subjective
because only you know what will make you truly happy. For some people, the idea of a pamper day at the spa is
the height of luxury. For others, this is
the last thing they would want to do. The point is that you should choose what
pleases you rather than conforming to anyone else’s idea of what constitutes a
treat. It can be useful to listen to
other people’s ideas and see what is available that you may not have thought of before. This
is a great way of coming up with alternative ideas and expanding your horizons.
For example, maybe you enjoy having a nice bottle of wine with your meal. It
may not have occurred to you that buying some more expensive bottles would be a
perfect way to treat yourself. This is a
good example of the nature of treats; they are not things that you need, but
things that you would like, whether that be possessions or experiences that you
desire. A new vacuum cleaner might be just what you need and extremely useful. However, it is not a treat. Visiting an art
gallery, viewing the exhibits, and selecting a painting that will look good in
your home and give you pleasure for years to come is far more of a treat. Both
the vacuum cleaner and the painting
may bring you happiness in different forms, but
whereas the vacuum is something you require in your life, the painting is not.
It is an unnecessary indulgence but one that will enhance your life in a purely
pleasurable way. It is the very essence
of what a treat is all about.
Spending your money on yourself can be a
wonderful experience, providing you choose the right things to spend it on.
Think luxury and high quality rather than getting a bargain. This is about rewarding yourself for all the
hard work and effort you put into your life and your family, and for them, it is all about showing their
appreciation of everything that you do for them. Whether you are treating
yourself, or someone else is treating you, embrace the joy of the experience
and celebrate having the freedom and opportunity to reward yourself.
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