Buying Happiness

Money can't buy happiness, but it can certainly buy pedicures, massages, blueberry oatmeal cream pies, and fresh flowers - all of which bring me much happiness. 

As noted in the last blog - January was rough and so I spent February taking it easier on myself. I shifted my focus at work from all the things that "should" get done to those that "needed" to get done and considered any "shoulds" that got crossed off the list as pure bonus points. I stuck hard to those boundaries and even set a few for myself: no comparing my life or feelings to others; enjoy and focus on the now; and treat myself without guilt (limit to be determined). And by golly did I end the month feeling 100% better than I started it. 

Since I already talked about boundaries, lets have a moment to talk about the idea of Treat Yo Self. Not only is it a story line in one of my favorite episodes of Parks and Recreation and the basis for a ton of millennial memes - it is a self-care staple. I ended up taking this idea and combining it my new favorite mantra, stolen from one of the book swap ladies: If you have a problem and the money to fix it, you don't have a problem - you have an expense. (Seriously, I want to get this in needlepoint for my apartment. But back to money and happiness.)

As I started giving myself a break in February I looked at my life and wondered where can I be easier on myself? And realized that I hadn't had a massage in months - boom, treat yo self! I got out of work at 7 and realized if I ubered instead of metroed I could get a workout in, make dinner, and get to bed at a decent time - boom, expense! After getting my hair done, I walked next door and got myself a pedicure before date night with That Guy - boom, treat yo self! As I was grocery shopping I picked up a couple bouquets of Trader Joe's fresh flowers and made a couple great arrangements in the apartment while cleaning up - boom treat yo self! Instead of stressing over a work trip in California - I got myself the hotel for an extra night and am doing a day in Disneyland - boom expense and treat yo self! 

Life was not suddenly magical and perfect, but it did feel less daunting and a helluva a lot brighter. With the pressures I had been putting on myself lifted I was able to enjoy these perks even more, as well as the other good things that I had been overlooking: Ollie snuggles after a long day, wine and movies with Neighbor S., dinner and gossip with L. and J., watching Mad Men and ordering pizza with That Guy. So while money can't buy happiness, it certainly lifted a load that helped me start appreciating all the happy things I have in my life again. It also bought me those blueberry oatmeal cream pies from the Bakeshop in Arlington, which are officially now an expense as I may have a slight problem....

I should probably close with a warning that you should Treat Yo Self within your means...but Fat Tuesday is this week, so now is the time to go for it!