Sometimes we get so caught up in the busyness of our daily lives that we forget to treat ourselves to little indulgences or spice up our days at all.
It’s easy to be stuck on autopilot and start to feel burnt out if you don’t make time to do nice things for yourself just because.
While finding time to unwind or be able to afford something like a spa day or taking a vacation to the caribbean just isn’t within everyone’s grasp, it is possible to implement a few easy and inexpensive ways to add a little luxury to your day.
I find that simply breaking out of my routine and doing little things for myself to feel pampered really feeds my soul and make me feel taken care of and more relaxed. As a result, I tend to feel happier and more at ease in general. It’s amazing how little changes can make such a difference in my daily grind!
Here are 7 inexpensive ways to add a little luxury to your day:
1. Wear your “nice” clothes
You know, the ones that you keep saving for that special occasion that never seems to happen. If busting those nicer clothes out of your closet will help give you more confidence today, then go ahead and wear them! Life is too short to be saving your best for only special occasions.
2. Bring some fresh flowers into your home
Whether you cut a single rose from your own garden, or pick up a small bouquet on your way home from work, this is an easy way to add a touch of luxury to your home and a smile to your face. I usually get my bouquets from Trader Joe’s for $2.99. It’s a cost I can definitely justify because of how much it brightens up my day when I walk into my kitchen and see them sitting on the counter.
3. Use cloth napkins
This one might sound a little silly, but it definitely works. I never use paper plates or utensils in our house, but we do use paper napkins on a regular basis. I find that something as simple as switching it up and using our fancy cloth napkins meant for dinner parties can make me feel like I’m dining in a nice restaurant. It’s more of a fun experience!
4. Read a book outside
I did exactly this yesterday, and it was amazing. It felt like such a luxury to be reading a book just for fun and sitting outside on my deck listening to the birds chirp and the sun shining down on me. I highly recommend it! If you add a glass of iced coffee to the mix, it really feels luxurious.
5. Make your own fruit infused spa water
Slice up your favorite fruit (I really love a combination of strawberries, lemons, and blueberries), throw the fruit into a pitcher of water, and then chill in your fridge.
Sipping from your fancy “spa” water throughout the day will hardly cost you anything, but will be a refreshing pick-me-up and will likely get you drinking more water than you normally would too. It’s especially nice on a hot summer day!
6. Give yourself a DIY spa treatment
There’s something about taking care of myself that really makes me feel pampered and luxurious.
Buy a pretty nail polish and give yourself a manicure or pedicure at home, or slather on a facial mask and sit back and relax.
Something as simple as soaking in your bathtub would be a great way to unwind! Throw in some epsom salt, bubble bath, or essential oils and light a few candles for the ultimate “spa” experience.
7. Treat yourself
Walk or drive to a local bakery and treat yourself to a fancy pastry or something else that you wouldn’t normally get to indulge in. Then find yourself a pretty spot to sit – perhaps on a bench in a nearby park, and relax and take in the sights while you enjoy your treat.
It won’t cost much, but will allow you to feel indulgent for a little bit. Whenever I do this, I always feel like I’ve taken a mini vacation….. only a few dollars spent on a pastry is significantly less expensive than a trip would cost!
What are some ways you like to add a little luxury to your day? How do you treat yourself?
I get a pedi every 6 weeks during the summer season since your feet are exposed most of the time 🙂
That sounds like a great little luxury to enjoy!! 🙂 I’m weird about people touching my feet, or that would sound great to me too!
It does take some getting use to someone touching your feet…I still laugh when the scrub them down! I went yesterday and today my bubble gum nails make me feel wonderful. I get gel and it will last 6 weeks…worry free!
That’s so fantastic Lisa! 6 weeks without having to worry about painting my toes…hmmm I might have to try this 🙂
Like always… Great List Christina! Fresh flowers always brighten my day and I like the idea of reading a book outside. I read but always inside under a cozy blanket on the couch, I’m going to take my books outside starting today!
Aw thank you Mary! Do try it!
You mean I have to change out of my yoga pants? ;P Getting my nails done once a week is my luxury. I don’t eat out much so I save my money and spend it on a $15 manicure almost every Friday. I love having pretty nails!
Haha no my favorite preggo, you don’t have to change out of your yoga pants, you have the best excuse ever! 🙂
I like the advice on wearing nice clothes!! I’ve been trying to dress nicer lately and it’s really had a positive effect on my confidence and productivity.
Also – I am all about treating yourself to a pastry or fancy dessert, haha!! I probably do this a little toooo often, but it’s a luxury to me that is just so worth it – especially if I can enjoy it in a cute little cafe or with my husband after the girls have gone to bed.
Great post, Christina!!
It really does make a difference! Don’t get me wrong – I love my yoga pants, but sometimes dressing a little nicer does wonders for my mood! Thanks Sarah!!
I was trying to figure out which of these ideas I love the best. I still can’t decide. They are all SO good! #5 really intrigues me. I think I’ll try that one tomorrow! 🙂
Try and report back! 🙂
cloth napkins are definitely nice, but it sounds like a lot of work haha. I will forgo some of the little luxuries for a little practicality 😉
Haha DC! When you have a baby, a few more napkins added to the piles of laundry you have to do will seem like NOTHING. I take it you won’t be going the cloth diaper route 😉
We didn’t have a ton of money growing up. We did have a set of china that my mom inherited from her great grandmother. She was happy to crack it out on special occasions, but was understandably nervous about it. My dad was a coffee lover, and one day he decided that he was going to have his morning (er, all day) coffee in style. He went out and bought a single china tea cup and saucer.
My parents are both gone and I proudly display my dad’s coffee/tea cup in my china cabinet. I often think back to that simple step toward luxury, though!
That’s such a lovely story about your parents Kirsten! I love that you display your Dad’s china cup set proudly 🙂
Great list, Christina! Treating myself to a Starbucks drink is my favorite little way to pamper myself. Sometimes it’s the little moments of luxury that help boost productivity and improve your outlook on the day.
I love this list! I’ve been trying to find some good quality and good feeling cloth napkins for a month or so now! 🙂 I definitely am a book nerd so reading outside is a wonderful change of pace. I love making a cucumber and lemon water dispenser to keep in my fridge occasionally as it’s refreshing and it does feel more like “Luxury water” 🙂 Great list!
I love when you do these types of posts! Even though I’ve been on a shopping ban, I still like to bust out the nice clothes that I don’t wear too often during the weekend or if I’m going somewhere special. I treated myself yesterday by running to Starbucks to grab a caramel frappuccino, one of my favorite drinks. It’s expensive and normal if you purchase it every day. But it’s a luxury for me since I don’t drink coffee every day and it’s literally been two months since I’ve had one.
I’ve been doing #1 by accident lately, but I’m noticing the side-benefits of it. I’ve gained a paunch, and I’m not comfortable in any of my summer shorts or pants. So I wear dresses all of the time. I am working on that paunch (that is, on getting rid of it), but I think I might stick with the dresses. It does feel good to wear them : )
Great list! I love DIY spa treatments and fresh flowers — which I never seem to buy, but should. Lately, I’ve been dressing to do simple things like going to French class, and it is nice. Otherwise, I don’t wear my dressy clothes much these days. I really should try number 5!
I love to sit outside and read and to do a DIY mani/pedi. Another luxurious, though inexpensive, thing I enjoy doing is taking a long bath with a scented candle, bath salt, a library book and a glass of wine. I try to do it once a week as it’s my favorite way to relax.
LOVE this! I completely agree that there are ways to elevate everyday life without splurging. I love reading in are little patio– or heading to a pretty public garden to do so!
Oh a public garden, that sounds absolutely fabulous Daisy!
I absolutely LOVE having fresh flowers in my house, and at my desk! A certain way to cheer the room and brighten the day. I definitely try to make this a regular thing 🙂
It’s so lovely, isn’t it? 🙂
Ditto the fresh flowers. I have started keeping one of my garden beds planted with simple cut flowers (perennial). Every few days I put a new bunch on the table. It’s crazy how they instantly brighten my mood. That and a freshly pulled shot of espresso & it doesn’t matter that 5 little people are running around driving me (lovingly) nuts, I’m instantly a better human!
That’s a genius idea Janeen! And my coffee is always my saving grace a lot of days 🙂
I love spa treatment. But it is nearly impossible to have a relaxing moment doing spa at home if you have noisy children around, fighting with each other. Great list anyway. Visiting you from Sharefest!
That is so true! I tend to wait to pamper myself until Little Miss is already asleep for the night lol otherwise that wouldn’t be very relaxing!