Treat Yourself

This is a screenshot of an email I received the other day. I had to look up Watkins Glen Racing because I’ve never been there.  It’s automobile racing ala Nascar.  Not anything I have ever done or plan to do, but it was the subject line that caught my interest.

“You’ve worked hard all year. Treat yourself!” Wow, it’s true. How did they know? I have worked hard all year.  As a matter of fact, I’ve worked hard for a lot of years. Maybe I should treat myself to a day of automobile racing at Watkins Glen. Or maybe a new pair of earrings, or a new pocketbook! I could go to the mall and buy some designer makeup! Or I could go to the new casino, and treat myself to some slots and an expensive dinner! Or not.

Treating yourself well is important to health and wellbeing.  After all, we live in a world of constant demands, work is stressful, then you come home and it’s time to make dinner and the sink is still full of breakfast dishes.  There are bills to pay and errands to run, the kids need help with one problem or another (this does not stop when the children grow up) and the dog is licking her hot spot again. At any given time, one car needs: inspection, oil change, tires rotated, or at a minimum, gas and it’s ten degrees outside.

Something about that phrase "Treat yourself" bothers me. Buying things that you don’t need just to treat yourself will not make you happier.  In fact, I think that the more you buy on impulse the less happy you become.  Because now you have just spent hard earned money on something to make yourself feel better. The item is taking up space in your home and setting you a baby step backwards from your financial goals. And it doesn’t make any of your stress go away. I am not saying you must deny yourself constantly and live a life of asceticism; the problem is when life becomes one treat after another. 

I know people who don’t buy anything.  They wear the same clothing forever.  They shop at the goodwill.  

Sorry but that is not for me.  There is a middle ground between “buying nothing” and “treating yourself”.  That middle ground is recognizing that there is something you want, yes, I said want and not need. Recently, I decided I wanted burgundy pants.  Burgundy is popular this winter and would go with several of my black tops. I did a little internet shopping and picked a cute pair with great reviews on sale from my favorite store. I did not treat myself to new pants, nor would I say that I needed new pants.  I wanted new pants, researched pants, and purchased said pants.

Thank you for reading!