As women so often do, we take care of everyone else's needs but our own. Whether we are wives, mothers or even women on our own, it seems to be programmed into our DNA to take care of others first and, if there's any time left over, then maybe we'll take care of ourselves.
When you think about treating yourself, what do you think about? A trip? A shopping spree? A massage? A pedicure? All of these things are nice, but time consuming and sometimes expensive. Have you ever thought of buying yourself flowers? I know I never did, but last spring I was at Trader Joe's and discovered that they had peonies. Well, prior to that I had only seen peonies in pictures. They definitely don't grow here in the desert. But I had long been enamored with them. As I was standing in line to check out, I saw that almost everyone in line had a bunch of peonies in their hands. I quickly grabbed a bunch and it was the best $6.99 I've ever spent! Over the next several days, I photographed them at each stage of their bloom and loved every minute of it. When I wasn't shooting them, I was delighting in their beauty as they sat atop my dining room table. They just made me happy. By the end of the week, I was ready to go back for another bunch.
Now almost a year later I have gotten in the habit of picking up a bunch of flowers every week or so, just to treat myself. Such a small investment for such a lot of happiness. I not only enjoy having something beautiful to photograph (at any time of the year) but it just makes me happy having them in the house. Such a simple act of self-love and such an easy way to bring beauty into your life.
Is there something that you regularly do just for yourself? Just a little treat now and then that is just for you? If so, share it with us. Post a photo on our Flickr group for us all to enjoy. If not, how about picking up some flowers at the grocery store today? TREAT YOURSELF!
18 comments:
Hi Terri, I love flowers and with our long winters in Canada they keep me happy through the long winter months. Love peonies too. hugs.
Yes! During the months when my garden doesn't produce flowers for cutting, I also buy flowers at the grocery to bring home, for the same reasons you do: to photograph and to enjoy. During the winter I'm enamored of tulips and yesterday my heart fell when there were none at the grocery (we don't have Trader Joe's) so off I'll go today to see if they've gotten any yet. The other thing I do for myself is photography. Yes, a few minutes with my camera is pure bliss for me. Going to Flickr right now to post a photo from yesterday's walk around my yard. And I love your peonies ... the color is so "you"!
Hi Terri,
Have you ever picked up a book by a favorite author. You are able to tune out the noise and climb right inside the words? That is what it feels like when I read something you have written. I have many books about the gift of being a woman. Those gifts often are given away to everyone that we can find to nurture. Yet little by little we can learn to nurture ourselves and take care not to get too overwhelmed with the demands of everyone around us.
My favorite thing that I do to nurture myself, is take a drive to Cape Cod. A little getaway just for me, it's a short drive. There's a great place to get a good cup of coffee and a delicious popover in Woods Hole. Then I go to the beach and sit by the ocean, memorize some things to bring back home, and always wait for the sunset. When I return home I am renewed.
Buying flowers is something that I have always done. I was a watercolor artist for many years, and would even go to the florist and pick out the pretties flowers to put into a bouquet to paint. I have continued to buy flowers for myself, it makes me feel so good.
Have a beautiful day Terri.
Karen
I remember all of your images of your pink peonies and I know how much joy they brought you then and I know any kind of bouquet of flowers brings you that same feeling of happiness now....I agree 100%. Those little self-indulgences are special and so needed. Hardly a week goes by that I don't have a bunch of flowers sitting somewhere in my house, kitchen-dining room-living room. And $4.99 for a bunch of tulips is a small price to pay for that joy.
This is such beautiful collage ~ I love peonies and you captured them wonderfully.
Karen, you are the sweetest! And I think a drive to Cape Cod would be the perfect medicine! I lived on the beach in CA for a year and there's nothing like some time by the sea to soothe your soul. I only lived there for a year but I remember how wonderful it was. These days I have to make do with flowers! Thanks for your comments.
Beautiful photos Terri of my favorite flower! I love your idea of picking up fresh flowers each week. Such an inexpensive little pick me up :)
Peonies are one of my VERY favorites....just brings back wonderful memories. We will be getting a Trader Joe's in our area soon and I am more than excited...in the meantime...I think I am going to emulate your flower habit...thanks for the nudge.
I couldn't agree more - especially in winter. I even love to photograph them when their dead - the colors are so subtley pretty. I uploaded to Flickr another self-spoiler - a slightly sinful one, I'm afraid....
Beautiful collage, Terry - you always have such perfect focus!
Oh! I have been waiting for peonies to show up at my local grocers! I love them! They smell so wonderful! Yours are so beautifully photographed!
I just added a photo to the flickr group. A picture of another little "indulgence"!
xo
I love your idea of indulging in a bouquet of flowers each week. So simple but so beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration, Terri!!
Flowers are a big treat for me, too, and I love to photograph them. Peonies are wonderful, they are pretty dried, too. Flowers, spending a morning in a bookstore, sitting in my garden alone...these are very peaceful, solitary pleasures for me!
XO,
Jane
Terri, you have really made me think. I don't do anything for myself and I realize how bad that is. As the oldest of 32 cousins, I was taught at a very young age by my many aunts that I was the responsible one, that it was better to be watchful than to play. I have a very hard time playing or taking care of myself. I am trying to change that but it is difficult. After having just lost my job of 24 years due to the closure of the business, I have lots of time on my hands until I find a new job. I have decided to spend some time nurturing me but I don't even know where to start. You have given me some ideas. I need to start simple. I think I will go buy some flowers.
Love your flower photos Terri! And those colors...BRILLIANT!
Thanks for your 'beautiful' reminder to take a little time for ourselves my sweet friend!
Great photos and post, a good reminder. For me, an iced coffee and a visit with a friend on the phone is a quick pick me up!
The first "treat" I thought of is crawling back into bed and letting go of all tension. So I did it and it was luxurious. It was 5 minutes but I really felt better after.
How funny, I nearly bought myself some flowers last night, but decided against it at the last moment (they are sooo expensive in Dubai and don't last very long sadly). I love your beautiful flower shots and the colours are gorgeous. Buying flowers certainly cheers me up though!
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