A Dozen Ways to Pamper Yourself
As a survivor of child sexual assault, I spend a lot of time caring for others, scanning the horizon for trouble, and fearing situations that have a low probability of happening. Today I’m thinking about taking care of . . no, even pampering myself. What a novel concept!
If you’re anything like me, you may knock yourself out planning pleasant family gatherings, birthday parties, or finding the perfect gift. But when is the last time you spent an hour considering an activity that you would enjoy? It took me less than thirty minutes to come up with the indulgences below; I hope some of them entice you into taking a renewing break from your routine.
An uninterrupted soaking bath, enhanced with soft music, scented candles, or a good book
A night or weekend at a Bed & Breakfast or hotel
Taking up or re-engaging in a hobby (mine are making stained-glass windows and sewing)
Attend a 12-Step meeting, talk to your sponsor or a counselor
Shop leisurely for a gift for yourself
“Brain dump” in a journal; dump out all the words in your head, then let go. Forget the world. Put the weight down. Breathe.1
Treat yourself to a massage
Take a long walk or a bike ride; listen to the birds, smell the flowers.
Schedule an appointment for a haircut, manicure, or pedicure
Go on an outing with a child or grandchild (amusement park, short train ride, a corn maze)
Enjoy a meal with a friend or relative you want to connect with
Attend a spiritual retreat such as Emmaus Walk or a yoga weekend
Go to a movie, concert, or a museum (If you’re 60 or older, AMC and Regal theaters have 30% discount; Ticketmaster also has senior discounts.)
Go to a comedy club or visit a joke website such as https://www.rd.com/jokes/daily-life or https://parade.com
Examples from the former:
Why do ducks have feathers? To cover their butt quacks.
Where does a waitress with only one leg work? At IHOP.
Example from the latter:
Hear about the new restaurant called Karma? There’s no menu; you get what you deserve.
Everyone benefits from occasional changes in their routine, especially those which are relaxing. Sonal Mishra says, “If you fail to take breaks from your mundane life, you’ll gradually erode productivity, perform poorly, diminish enjoyment, and eventually burn out. This is why we all need a break from regularity once in a while.”2 If we feel cranky, anxious, or have difficulty falling asleep at night and don’t feel rested in the morning, we probably need to pamper ourselves a bit.
It is often difficult for assault survivors to go with the flow and to cope with changes in our lives, as inevitable as these may be. While researching this blog I ran across some excellent advice: “Accept change and take a break from trying to resist things you can’t control. Begin to see change as a positive thing, an opportunity to grow and evolve the body, mind, and spirit. Live in the moment, rather than in the past or the future. The suffering most of us experience as a direct result of our thoughts is unnecessary and intensely draining. By focusing on the here and now, we free our mind and soul from painful thoughts and worries.”3
May you choose to live in the present and with gratitude for your talents, blessings, and the opportunities that arise this week.
1. 12 Signs You Need a Break and What You Can Do About It, Jenilee Goodwin, OurGoodwinJourney.com
2. unnamed blog, Sonal Mishra, 01/16/17
3. 90 Ways to Give Yourself a Break (without going on vacation), Tasneem S. 03/08/21 blog
Photo by CRYSTALWEED cannabis
