Live A Little!

Live A Little! Melissa R. Rich

This is a little known fact – I just discovered it – but June 18th is National Splurge Day. I had no idea this was a recognized holiday but I’m totally on board!

A splurge is defined as, “to indulge oneself in some luxury or pleasure”. This is something I often urge clients to do. I think many of us get so caught up in the busyness of living that simple pleasures get lost. It’s as if we believe it’s somehow wrong to enjoy ourselves.

Productivity is all fine and good, and one of my favorite activities is crossing things off my list – however. It sounds trite but if we never stop to smell the roses (or admire the paintings, pet the dogs, play with the children, etc.) what’s the point?

So I challenge you to take a minute right now to think of a way you could splurge – just a little. What is something you really enjoy but normally don’t take time to do? Let me give some examples that may point you in the right direction.

• Take a bubble bath • Play a game of golf or tennis and enjoy it • Get a facial – or a mani/pedi – or a massage • Stop at your favorite bookstore and give yourself 30 minutes to just browse • Have an ice cream cone • Walk in the park with family or friends • Have dessert first • Call some friends over for a basketball game – to watch and/or play • Sign up for the yoga/painting/carpentry/whatever class you’ve been thinking about • Go bungee jumping

There’s lots of ways to splurge and enjoy yourself and you don’t have to spend a ton of money doing it. The point is to figure out what brings you pleasure and create opportunities to do it – alone or with others.

There are some good reasons for indulging ourselves periodically. Here’s one of my favorites – it breaks up your routine.

I’m the first to admit that I love a good routine – it helps get things done and can keep me on task. But – doing the same thing over and over again can become boring and stale. A little touch of whimsy now and then can freshen things up and make life more interesting.

Here’s another one. If all you do stems from practical, work related motives, you may be giving yourself the message that you’re not worth any extra time or effort. That it’s not ok to relax and spoil yourself now and then. And that’s a sad thing to be telling yourself.

So today I’m going out to lunch with my brother for pizza and I’m going to have some ice cream afterward. And I’m not going to feel guilty. What are you going to do?

Loosen up a bit and spoil yourself today. You deserve it and, after all, it is National Splurge Day. Indulge yourself and have some fun!