Worn out

[pegkerr]

I'm just tired. Bone-tired. More than physically, really. Soul-tired. I've decided to give myself a break today and do some things I don't ordinarily allow myself.

I'm going to drive to work. I'm going to stop at Tillie's Bean and get a cold press coffee with chocolate syrup added. I'm going to go out to lunch, possibly to Wilde Roast, and get a hot grilled tuna fish sandwich.

It really says something about my ordinary life that this feels like unbelievably decadent luxury.

(You are welcome to leave a comment suggesting other [low-budget] ways that I can pamper myself.)

Comments

[pinguthegreek.livejournal.com]

I know Rob didn't choose to not have a job. But perhaps you need to be clear with him that until he returns to work, you intend to go on strike as far as housework is concerned. I know it will drive you crazy initially, but it might be the only way for him to appreciate just how much more of a role you've taken on since yours is the only income. That way, you might feel more able to cope.

As for pampering, what about allowing yourself a square of really nice chocolate a day? Or asking Rob for back rubs ?

[mayakda.livejournal.com]

Ditto. I'm still not working also, but I've taken on most of the housework (Hubby just takes the trash to the curb now)
OTOH, my cleanliness standards are more lax than hubby --- I appreciate that he's been mostly holding his tongue.

You are not superwoman.

Low-cost pamper suggestion: Take a slow leisurely walk, while you gawk at the world. Strictly not for exercise.

[avengangle.livejournal.com]

I second the square-of-chocolate thing. You can usually get a bar of nice chocolate for like $3, and at one square a day (oh, SAVOR it), it'll last a whole week.

If it's really nice chocolate, you won't WANT more than a square (just too rich).

[oracne.livejournal.com]

Watch a movie or an episode of some show you love while curled up on the couch.

Reread your favorite parts of a favorite book.

Go to bed ridiculously early and read there.

[skylarker.livejournal.com]

Ditto on going to bed early and just reading until sleepy.

[mjryan.livejournal.com]

If the weather is nice, which is memory serves it should be pretty plesant this time of year in MSP, take your grilled tuna sandwich to a park to eat it! Save come crumbs for the birds.

[morganmuffle]

My favourite little luxuries for when I need a boost are Starbucks Caramel Hot Chocolate (or any hot chocolate really *g*), a long bath with bubbles or a bath bomb and flowers (the brightest colours you can find, and often if you can find a florist near the end of their day you can get bigger bunches cheaper, as a student I used to buy bright yellow spider carnations from the supermarket everytime I had an exam or a particularly nasty seminar and I found it was the best £2 pick-me-up)

[aome.livejournal.com]

I do the daily Cryptoquote in our newspaper - that thing where one letter stands for another, and you have to decode it? Yesterday's quote was, "If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live." So - yes, indeed - give yourself a break.

Can you borrow a friend's tub for some uninterrupted bubble-and-book time? Eat your lunch outside if the weather's nice, even on days when you have to brown-bag it?

[dichroic.livejournal.com]

The best luxury might be time. Can you arrange for even an hour, after work, to either go wherever you want or stay home and do anything you want?

Usually money and time trade off. Your situation particularly sucks because the cut in money affects you but the extra time doesn't, as much.

[sternel.livejournal.com]

I read this on the train this morning, but I can't comment from my phone (it lets me do everything but, but I had two thoughts. Thought the first: get an obnoxiously cheerful color of nail polish and give yourself a manicure and pedicure. Even if nobody else can tell my toes inside my shoes are bright red, well, I know.
The other thought is to pick out a new song or two on iTunes. I've been very into Vienna Teng lately, and given other music you've written about liking, I think you'd enjoy her a great deal. She calls her stuff "chamber folk" -- it's very lush and lyrical.

[malinaldarose.livejournal.com]

Self-manicure? With a really wild color? (I like a pretty sky blue when I'm depressed.) Or self-pedicure?

[dreamflower]

A long bubble bath with a good book!

[jbru.livejournal.com]

How about going to the library after work and sitting in the chair with your name on it for 15 minutes or a half-hour?

[jbru.livejournal.com]

Bumped into this list today and it seems like there's bound to be a thing or two on it that would suit you:

75 simple pleasures to brighten your day.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Oh, excellent! THANK you!

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Go buy yourself some a new pair of undies or socks.

K.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I think when the next urge strikes, you should stop and pick up a piece of Diablo flourless cake, take it home, brew your favorite tea or coffee, light a candle, and then devour it -- messily, if necessary.

And you may growl, gently, at any who eye your Diablo. You may choose to share, but woe to one who attempts to change the destiny of a Diablo slice.

It must be offered -- never taken.

Restraining an attack gargoyle might drive home the point (see above).

P.S. --

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

If you can do it -- I have actually done this -- you take ONE nice bite of the cake. Let it melt slowly in your mouth as your last reward before the hour or so spiral down to bed -- and then tuck it back in its little box with the word POISON -- DO NOT TOUCH -- ONLY PEOPLE WITH ANTIDOTE CAN EAT written on the box. It will now live in the fridge.

Then you can slowly work you way through it through the week. The mocha fudge torte from Chez Zee will last for weeks if in the fridge. Hope yours can last that long!

Re: P.S. --

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I DID have flourless chocolate cake yesterday! At lunch, at Wilde Roast: they have an award-winning one called "Bete Noir." I enjoyed every bite and thought of you while I ate it.

Re: P.S. --

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Excellent!

I hope everything gave you a mood lift to help through the days to come.

We can get through these times. It just takes grace and strength.

(I like abandoning the cleaning for the duration, too. Rob is home more, so it's definitely his turn... ;^) )