How often have you treated yourself out to something nice? Maybe to splurge a little here and there, brag a bit, take that extra time for yourself to do the things you want to do? Perhaps you don’t feel like you do enough of this, and that you put the priority and convenience of others before you.
The ironic thing is, we often do these things, but we don’t acknowledge that we deserve it. In fact, we feel a disservice to ourselves by doing so: cheating on the diet, spending money frivolously, procrastinating or not prioritizing correctly.
So we give the action of rewards without feeling the benefit of it. Often times we would even compensate for indulging with an additional requirement or punishment. In this, I must say, take it easy. It’s no different that just learning to pace your self-indulges as it is to eat healthy instead of crash dieting.
We give a lot to others, to the greater community, and to altruistic intent. All of this matters, and creates great and worthwhile meaning in our lives. Without this sense of purpose, the pleasures we give ourselves seem less special, less spectacular. When we are to give and serve, that is where our present should be. When we are to accept and enjoy, then savor those moments and think to yourself…
I deserve this. I have much to do, but I’m already doing much as well.
So in this moment, cut yourself some slack. You know that you’re doing the best you can, and if you feel you can’t; then you know what you have to do to get there. That’s already half the battle.
