Adulting 101: Why You SHOULD Treat Yourself from Time to Time
Self-care is never selfish
In a world where the grind to a successful future is glorified to the nth degree, we can sometimes forget that part of that grind is, in fact, keeping ourselves mentally and emotionally happy. Taking much-needed breaks, vacations, and proper me-time is a must for keeping sane, especially in a time riddled with uncertainty. These days, an easy way to give yourself a pick-me-up you need is a good ol’ shopping spree.
Why You Should Treat Yourself
Now, while it may sound counter-productive to spend the money you’ve been working so hard for, you did earn it for a reason. As they say, while the majority of your salary must be put aside for your bills and living expenses, part of it should be set aside for your own unadulterated pleasure. When you spend time on yourself, whether it be through your hobbies or simply resting, for the time being, you’re allowing yourself time to recuperate some energy, lift your mood, and change your outlook on life — even just for a moment — so you can take the days to come head-on.
Many times, we can get caught up with our busy everyday lives that we forget that our inner selves have needs, too. When our mental health suffers, it can directly affect how we operate. We may be less productive. We may not be able to take care of ourselves physically, whether through improper diet, lack of sleep, or lack of exercise. That’s why, even through the little things, we shouldn’t feel too guilty about giving ourselves a treat.
Whether it’s because of an accomplishment that you’re proud of, like a graduation or getting great the promotion you’ve always wanted, or because you need to cheer yourself up after a gruesome breakup, a reward is well-deserved.
Little Ways You Can Treat Yourself
We know self-care isn’t always about massages or face masks. It’s truly about building a loving relationship with yourself and knowing what you need when to stop when things get too much, and how to learn how valuable you truly are. However, there’s no harm in starting small. Rewarding yourself for all your hard work this past year or so doesn’t have to be lavish, after all.
Take a Bubble Bath
For those of you with bathtubs, having a long, soothing soak in the tub does wonders for unwinding the mind and body after a long day. Let the soothing water relax your muscles and clear your mind. Perhaps lighting a scented candle alongside it can help put you more at ease. Remember: you worked hard already. It’s time to relax.
Exercise Regularly
While it may sound more like a chore, putting time away each day for a little bit of exercise is a great way to release endorphins all while making sure your physical health is being taken care of. There’s no shame in starting off slow with some regular stretches after work to untangle those muscles. You can always build up your routine as you go along. The important part is that you maintain the routine, no matter how small you start.
Have a Self-Care Ritual
As mentioned above, having a routine is an important factor in letting your mind pause for a second. When you set routines or rituals for yourself, you’re bringing your focus solely onto your actions, allowing stress to take the back seat. Your ritual can be up to you — whatever you feel like.
For beauty junkies like us here on THREAD, we find joy in skincare and makeup. Starting your day off by putting on a face of makeup can prep you for a day’s work while keeping up a skincare routine before bed can help signal your brain that it’s indeed time to end the day. Perhaps throw in a day or so every week for a hair mask and a face mask so you always have a mini spa day to look forward to.
Try a New Hobby
Especially now, as many of us still work from our homes, our days can really start to meld together into indistinguishable blobs on our calendars. A great way to break through that cycle is to start a new hobby. Many people have been finding new things to be passionate about, from mechanical keyboards to building blocks to painting to making vlogs — do whatever best suits your personality.
Get Good Rest
We know that it’s hard to turn our brains off even after we clock out, especially if our workstation is right by our sides, but an important part of giving yourself some love is to set boundaries for yourself. We only get 24 hours in a day. Plus, it’s your 24 hours. Allow yourself some time to simply do you (perhaps watch the Netflix series you’ve been eyeing?), then get some good rest at the end of the day. If you’re having a hard time sleeping, some soothing aromatherapy may help you get a better snooze.
Extra Treats Using the ZALORA Credit Card
As we mentioned, treating yourself doesn’t have to include frivolous spending. For those looking to spoil themselves while being a smart shopper, using the ZALORA Credit Card for your transactions not only lets you treat yourself now, but helps you accumulate rewards to treat yourself even more in the future.
With 6% cashback for purchases on ZALORA, 2% cashback for purchases on other online shopping websites or platforms, and 1 reward point for every P50 spent, there’s a lot more to receive with the ZALORA Credit card. Not only that, but you get P5,000 ZALORA cashback as a welcoming present upon approval of your credit card!
Now, that’s a self-care shopping spree you will not regret.
