Learning to Gift Yourself
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidayGlow #CollectiveBias
A few weeks ago I had an appointment for my annual. Every woman's favorite day, for sure. So there I am sitting on the examining table clothed in a gown and sheet. And I looked down at my feet and was completely mortified! My legs were so hairy, and my toenails had specks of nail polish from the last time I had painted them, which had obviously been quite some time. I had been running around like crazy taking care of my kids, and my husband, and my house, and the bills, and our blog, and I hadn't stopped to take the time to take care of myself in quite some time.
I don't know, maybe you're better at taking time for yourself, but I'm not very good at it. I find that I put everyone else in my life first, and I find myself at the bottom of the list. I'm not complaining about it, it's just the way things are. I tend to give all I have to others, and forget that I need to give to myself as well.
So after the embarrassing annual (the midwife didn't say a thing, but I was so mortified!) I realized that I needed to take care of myself. And what better time of year to learn to gift yourself than during the holidays?
I decided to gift myself the gift of pampering, so I headed to Costco to see what great pampering products they had. I figured that if I bought at Costco, I would have skin care, hair care, and grooming products for the whole year!
I tend to be cheap when it comes to myself. I would splurge on my kids, but for me, it's bottom of the line, just enough to make it. Are you the same? Because I knew that about myself, I tried really hard to not allow that to be my mindset. So I decided to pretend that I was buying for a friend. And then I thought, "Why not actually buy for a friend as well?" I know most of my friends are just as bad at taking time for themselves as I am, so I grabbed two of everything I bought and made a basket for myself as well as for a friend!
I splurged on the Venus Swirl. I love a good razor for shaving, and those legs were out of control! I love that the Venus Swirl comes in a large package from Costco, with 8 cartridges! That means my legs don't have to be neglected anymore!
I also bought Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash, available in warehouse. It comes in a 3 pack of large bottles, so I expect they will last me the better part of the year!
I love P&G products, as I know that they are always quality products. I've loved every Venus razor I've ever gotten (so much better than cheap brands, seriously!).
I got a couple baskets, and finished filling them with all sorts of fun things to pamper myself and my friend. I included bubble bath, a nice sponge, a pedicure set, a nice bar of soap, a candle, and some homemade goodies.
This doesn't have to cost you a ton of money. P&G products are priced really well at Costco, and you get a large supply, so you don't have to buy them very often.
Here's the harder part of gifting myself. I talked to my husband and told him that I feel like I don't take time for myself very well. I know he's willing to watch the kids, but somehow I feel guilty for asking him, so I end up not asking. So we agreed that once a month, he will watch the kids while I take a long bath and relax. We even wrote it on the calendar, so I don't get so wrapped up in the craziness of our daily life and put it off!
I wrapped up the second basket and took it to one of my friends, and challenged her to take time for herself as well!
And now, I want to challenge you! You wouldn't think twice about spending a few bucks on a friend or a loved one, so take the time today to spend a few bucks on yourself-- and commit to giving some time to yourself! You're a busy, tired, stressed mama, and you deserve a break! In fact, I think that if we all learn to take a break for ourselves and give to ourselves, we will find that we end up having more to give to others in our lives. If we are well rested, we will be better moms, better wives, and better friends.
So head to your favorite Costco, pick up a Venus Swirl and some Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash, and gift yourself with the gift of well deserved pampering!
Now this is a fabulous idea!!!! We all need to take care of our selves more and give to ourselves
Definitely!
You have some great products in your basket. I love the Olay and Venus products! I have been in your shoes! I hardly shave during the winter and sometimes it can seem scary. It is hard to bind the time with a house full of kids, teaching, and blogging. I am getting better at taking care of myself.
Yes, it's definitely hard to find the time! I find that I need to make to-do lists for each day if I want to actually get a particular thing done, so that's why I'm adding me time to the to-do lists!
Oh, I have SO been there! It's easy to get busy and forget to take care of yourself. I've had the same though as I sat at the doctor's office as well. I just hope they have seen worse LOL
I'm sure they have seen worse! I guess that's the best way to look at it, right? lol
My theme is taking care of me so I can be of service to others! So you are definitely on point in that we do need to buy nice, quality items for ourselves. I love sudsing up with body wash. It just feels great especially after stepping out of the shower/tub and sitting back with a cup of tea to relax. Great post!
I agree with you! If we don't take care of ourselves, who will take care of us? (not complaining about my family, but it just doesn't seem to cross their minds).
I am not a fan of going to the dr especially in the cold because it's so cold in the rooms so I dress with fuzzy socks that cover my hairy legs. Love the basket!
lol! I don't know anyone who enjoys the experience!
I try to think of taking care of myself as much as possible but I'm not as good about the at home beauty things I could be doing. I think it was so nice of you to give a basket to your friend. #client
You should definitely try scheduling in time for yourself. I swear I have to schedule everything I want to make happen!
This is a fun idea. Love that you put it all in a basket for easy access and to signify a gift to yourself. By the way, I use both the Venus Razors and Olay Bodywash and love them both.
I wanted it to truly be a gift to myself, and not just ordinary buying. So glad to hear that you love these products, too!
Self-Care is something I have been working on for a while. It isn't easy. I finally realized that if I didn't take care of myself, my kids were not going to get the best of me.
Exactly true! We can't give anything to our family if we've run ourselves ragged!
I love Costco! We like to shop there about once a month to stock up on essentials. Pampering myself is definitely something I need to do more of.
Costco is probably my favorite store ever! Who wouldn't love getting free snacks (er.... samples) while shopping? 😉
So important to remember to pamper yourself. My teen and I were just talking yesterday about not shaving in the winter so this made me laugh.
It's an easy thing to pass off as just one more thing that needs to get done!
I need to start taking care of myself more but it can be hard with two full time jobs and a blog plus nannying and tutoring other peoples children. My goal for 2016
Yes! It can definitely be difficult, but hopefully this idea of a basket to pamper yourself will help make it happen for you!
Totally a great idea. I've actually gotten in the habit when shopping of "one for you" and "one for me". That way, everyone gets a little love and there always happens to be someone who wants what I have, which makes a great second gift!
That's a great idea! I really want to become more generous, and that seems like a great way to do it!
Fun gift ideas!
I think it is important to look after yourself because then you are in the best health to look after others x
You're definitely right! You can't take care of anyone, if your own health starts declining.
I make it a point to take care of myself every day, but I know quite a few people that don't even shave their legs all winter long.
I have to admit I am definitely guilty of overlooking myself. With 3 kids ages 6 and under, I have a tendency to just forget about myself!