Life Gets Better

Lately I've been struck by the fact that I take no time to relax.  I don't feel like I can, because I need the house to be perfect and for all my work to be completed, and if I do all of that (haha) then I'm frustrated that I haven't done more.  I then began thinking about ways to ease the stress in my life and spend some time relaxing and enjoying it.

There are several things you can do to make your life easier/more enjoyable without breaking the bank.  I read an article recently about the small things you can do to lift your mood, especially when you have no time or money to go get a pedicure, see a movie at a nice theater, or buy a new book for yourself.

The thing is, we don't realize we need to do this for ourselves.  Most people think that being a workaholic is admirable (even if they would never say that aloud) and we simply don't take the time to rest or even relax.  We push our bodies until they collapse and then we veg out on the couch for a few days and feel like we're wasting every single second and should be working on eight projects at once.

There is a time and place to complete projects and work hard, but there is also a time and place (for those of us who are poor, the time and place is probably the weekend at home) for rest, relaxation, indulgence, and pampering.

Also, there are things that you can do to ease the seemingly small stresses of eating, money, and sleep.  (Which I think are the three biggest stresses of a working person)

Here are some suggestions I've compiled in an attempt to bring some fun back into my life and to make sure that my head space doesn't get all clogged with worries, frustration and insanity.

• Dollar Store lunch containers with utensil holders -- my friend Abbie (Hi, Abbie!) found these containers at The Dollar Tree and I've been wanting one ever since.  Just think...you can use the same container and silverware every day.  Simply bring it home, let it soak during dinner, rinse, and fill with leftovers or a basic sandwich/fruit combo.  Slide your silverware onto the lid and all you have to do is grab it the next morning.  Doesn't that sound lovely?
• Budget your weekly gas/groceries using envelopes -- I am at my wit's end when it comes to budgeting.  We don't have the sort of income that allows us to eat out often (or at all) but it is so important to my husband that we spend time with friends in this way.  I think because we have a debit card, we have Invisible Cash Flow Syndrome.  He can't see where we are in the monthly budget so he assumes we're doing ok.  Next month (or even the last half of this one), I'm going to pull all the money I've budgeted for gas/groceries out of the bank and split it into envelopes.  I'll label them and have a budget on them (so much for gas, so much for groceries, so much for misc. like eating out or going to the dollar theater) and when the envelope's empty, we're done for the week.  I think seeing the cash will help us be more thrifty.
• Hug at every opportunity!  My love language is physical touch.  The more I get hugged/cuddled/kissed, the happier I am.  If physical contact isn't your thing, notice what you do like and try more of that -- it may be spending more time with friends (over lunch at work, after church, spending an evening together, etc.), or verbal affirmation (compliments, verbal appreciation, conversing with friends over phone, text, or letters), etc.  Tailor this one to your needs.  And most likely, if you let a friend know it would boost your mood if they would reciprocate in your language, I'm sure they would be happy to do so.  :)
• Splurge on one little (tiny) thing per week/month --for example, I bought an avocado on sale this week for under $1.  I got some Pita chips from the Co-Op we're a part of, but you could also just use it on a sandwich or in your salad for lunch.  I will buy something like that every few weeks (like mushrooms when they're $2 a pack, or a bunch of cilantro for 99 cents) so I don't feel like my life revolves around spaghetti, chili and rice.  You could also do this at the dollar store -- buy 2 fancy glasses for $2, buy a hair accessory (or nail polish), or a mug for your tea.  Just something cheap and fun to brighten your day.
• Pamper yourself by doing one nice thing a week just for you -- paint your toenails, wear your favorite outfit, put a few slices of cucumber over your eyes for a mini spa-treatment at night, or massage your feet/hands.  (Other ideas:  do some stretches, take a 15-minute nap, listen to a favorite song on repeat, or take a walk)  The idea is to spend a few minutes' time doing something that doesn't add to your chore chart/to-do list -- but makes you feel better.
• Find a relaxing ritual and do it EVERY NIGHT.  This is highly important -- it helps us prepare for bed (sleeping easier), to wind down, and to get everything in order for the next day.  This could be anything.  For me, it might be folding a load of laundry and putting it away, spending twenty minutes reading a book, or watching an episode of television.  (Doing the dishes, taking a quick, hot shower or chilling on the couch with a glass of...something would also be on this list)  I've heard that arranging your purse for the next day and cleaning it out helps your mind sort out too.
• Start a collection of pretty images -- you can do this on paper (collage journal/poster) or online (Pinterest).  Start pinning or pasting in things that make my smile, dream, or laugh and when you need a quick boost, go look.

 Do you have any ideas to add to the list?