Treat Yo’ Self!

I’m walking this fine line between indulging and investing.

If you’ve read my blog post about being “Off The Wagon” meaning we haven’t been focusing as much money on our debt free journey as we did last year at this time, you’ll know we’ve been working to try and get back on track.

Most shifts available at the hospital right now are double pay shifts because we are so full of COVID patients. I’m working HARD. I’m paying off debt but I also took a tiny bit of an indulgence for myself.

I stayed in the hotel yesterday between shifts, only $25 out of my paycheck, my awesome hospital pays the rest, and I couldn’t sleep. I woke up around 3 pm, laid in bed, tossed and turned, called my mom, and Craig called. He said he ended up getting off work early. I wish I had known that and I would have gone home instead of the hotel – the boys are at Grandma Friedman’s for the weekend anyway. It could have been nice, we really haven’t seen each other and filled up our “batteries” since early September.

So I drug myself out of bed and I went about the business of brightening my day. I was pretty bummed, not gonna lie. I’m on a four night stretch and I miss my boys so much already.

So I went to TJ Maxx – a new favorite store of mine. Walked around, I love seeing all the Christmas decor even if I’m not in the market to buy. I bought myself a new candle – I LOVE candles – I always have one, if not two, going at a time when I’m home. Everything is well with my soul if the house is clean and a candle is burning… and especially if I have a nice cup of coffee. So I got a new mug too. And a new water jug – it’s HUGE and I love it because I’ve really been drinking a lot more water with it! So a little splurge, nothing fancy.

I ended up in Target next with some more time to kill. I saw a lot of things that I would like but I really just enjoyed the freedom of walking around, seeing what styles were in. I don’t need any new clothes – I don’t go anywhere! And when I do, I wear the same 5 things. For the first time in as long as I can remember I’m CONTENT with that.

I bought myself a new notebook for taking report at work. I got some new pens too that make me happy. I got a new perfume (again, love scents) and yes it was a splurge but all of these things make me happy:

New pens on a fresh notebook.

A spritz of perfume when I’m on my 4th night in a row and I’m feeling anything but fresh.

A coffee mug that reminds me “Nursing is a work of heart.”

A candle to make me feel cozy at home.

A huge water bottle to keep my body hydrated.

I topped off my little shopping trip with a iced chai tea latte from Starbucks and I made my way back to work. I searched and found a really healthy meal – salmon, a sweet potato, and lobster bisque for supper. It was delicious.

I don’t think that this was an unnecessary “splurge.” I think of it as a little pick me up. I love myself, I want to treat myself for all the hard work I’ve put in.

If you ask anyone who is trying to recover from any kind of addiction or bad habit, their goal is to be able to “just have one” and not go overboard.

Today, I achieved my “just had one” and I didn’t go overboard. I think that’s a good lesson, one I’ve worked hard to learn. I’ve gotten much better at really analyzing what makes me happy and what is “worth it.” My little treats today were worth it. I have no buyers remorse.

So where does that fall in my budget? I’m not too worried about that today.

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3 Comments

  1. Kim J LeMere
    November 18, 2020 / 5:33 pm

    I’m glad you pampered yourself, we need to take care of ourselves if we want to care for others. I cant imagine the stress your job is right now and I know the numbers keep climbing in Iowa. Take care.

  2. Carolyn
    November 18, 2020 / 11:57 pm

    Dang too bad you could have had him drive up to see you…. he probably would have

  3. Ellie
    November 19, 2020 / 12:40 am

    I’m so glad you took some time and money to pamper yourself. If you’re always denying yourself you are more likely to binge and really blow the budget! Little treats like this can relieve the pressure and make you feel special. You deserve to feel special with all the hard work you’re putting in right now!
    I’m sorry you weren’t able to go home and spend time with Craig but treating yourself is important too!

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