Pamper Yourself!

Why is it easy to justify spending time doing nice things for others, but we feel guilty doing nice things for ourselves?  It really is a funny situation.  I have spent hours making gifts for friends or doing nice deeds for relatives, but a half-hour massage for me?  No way!

Part of taking the Happiness Plunge is loving oneself.  This is easier said than done.  When we look inside ourselves, we often see the impurities and imperfections instead of all the great qualities we embody.  Thus, it is often easier to love others far more than we love ourselves.

Stand in front of the mirror and stare at your reflection.  How long can you do it before it starts to feel weird?  Challenge yourself to feel comfortable staring at yourself.  Once you’ve achieved that, challenge yourself to stand in front of the mirror and tell your reflection that you love you yourself.  This is very difficult and awkward for sure.  It requires patience and determination.  But the result is more confidence and more self-satisfaction.

Even if what is above is impossible, it’s important to set some time aside every week to pamper yourself.  Maybe you like to exercise, so a 2-hour hike is the kind of pampering you want.  For others it could be a bath, massage, or a great book.  Whatever the case may be, take the time to reward and treat yourself.

You have a relationship with yourself, but most of us are far too harsh on ourselves!  Instead of always beating yourself up, try and see things more positively and pamper yourself appropriately.

Like everything in life, moderation is key.  A daily massage can turn into an expectation instead of a reward.  It’s the little things in life that are most satisfying, so make sure your pampering doesn’t go from a reward to an expectation.

Above all, strengthen your relationship with yourself and use these pampering sessions to dive deeper into who you are, what motivates you, and what makes you happy.  The pampering should leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed, and that should give you a clearer mind for figuring out how to take the Happiness Plunge!

How do you pamper yourself?  Share your feedback in the comments section below!