A little over a year ago, I successfully paid off all of my debts. That's right, no credit cards, no old tax debt, no car payment. What a feeling! In the last year I treated myself to many classes both online and at the local art institute. I expanded my library and art supplies. I collected items from some of my favorite artists who I met on my blog travels. Just last week I traded my car in for a much newer and luxurious model. It is such a treat to drive it! I'm actually looking forward to experiencing the heated seats when the snow flies.
When Martha suggested that we treat ourselves, I realized that I had been doing a pretty good job of it in the last year. It wasn't always easy for me to treat myself in this way. It seemed frivolous to spend money on a piece of jewelry or a handcrafted item. In addition to spending money on fun things, I've also treated myself to enjoying time on my own. I love going for walks, especially with my camera in hand. I delight in visits to the local coffee shop with a book and journal. I have found that taking time for myself is essential for my over all well-being. I look at finding the precious present moment and the peace found within it. I even worked up an online course on creating personal retreats to share my ideas on ways to capture these retreat moments.
The essential question that kept coming up for me is, "How do you treat yourself?" As I kept a tally of my smiles and laughs this week and noting what triggers them, I also looked at how I talk to myself. As a daughter of a perfectionist, I've learned to be very critical of my performance. I've often felt like I'm not enough in any of my pursuits. As I collected my retreat moments and treats, I've learned that taking good care of myself is essential and this includes how I talk to myself. I'm learning to be more of the cheerleader and nurturer to myself rather than the critic. When fear speaks up I soothe it with words that I would offer my son, friends, colleagues, and blog pals. I'm even proactive and will make a point of starting my day off with a compliment and positive intention. When the day ends, I'm pretty exhausted, but I never fail to take the time to recount three things that made me happy in the day. This evening ritual that I share with my son really helps us to stay focused on the positive. It definitely takes work to remember to treat ourselves right but the rewards are worth it.
How will you treat yourself today?
Check out these links for more information and inspiration: Jamie Ridler's The Next Chapter Blog Book Group: The Joy Diet
Here is some information about the treats pictured above:
1. The cute little elf on the pumpkin came from A Fanciful Twist.
2. The adorable crown and basket are from The Holiday Queen.
3. The lantern is from Target.
4. The sweet couple is from Noodle and Lou.
5. The orange Murano glass necklace is from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts gift shop.
6. The "Trick or Treat" card is from Papaya Art.
7. The wooden ornament with the tree is from The Holiday Queen.
Wee! I am waaay behind on the Joy Diet but wanted to read your experiences. I am about 3-5 months away from having all my debts paid off too! I can't wait to celebrate! I love hearing how you treated yourself.. and I have a piece of Murano glass from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, too. Lovely!
Posted by: Sara @Soulspackle | October 30, 2009 at 08:33 AM
Kathryn, enjoy your post so much, as always. What a fun collection of things you've picked up as treats to yourself - and after the accomplishments of your past year, heaven knows, you deserve them!!
I think what struck me most in this writing was how you are choosing to use the words to yourself that you would use to support those you care about. My son was in rehab many years ago and one of the counsellors told them to keep a picture of themselves as a little child on their desk or where they would see it and remind themselves how precious they are.
I'm so happy that you have begun to treat yourself well!
Oh, and the heated seats - I"ll be interested to hear what you think. I bought a car a number of years ago that came with heated leather seats. The first really cold day I turned them on and looked forward to the increased comfort - only to find that it suddenly felt like I'd wet my pants! I've gone back to cloth seats. Not as hot or cold as the leather and don't need the heated ones.
Posted by: becky nielsen | October 30, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Hi Kathryn,I enjoyed your post so much. Congratulations on being debt free and treating yourself to some art and courses. What a great thought of talking and treating yourself as you treat others. We so oftentimes think of treating others kindly because we want to be treated kindly only to realize that our self-talk is less than kind. Thank you for this insight.
Posted by: Valarie Budayr | October 30, 2009 at 10:24 AM
hi kathryn ~ thanks for stopping by my blog this morning. i have to tell you, your photograph is amazing! i also adore your post. it's a huge accomplishment to pay off all your debt ~ one I hope to achieve in the next year. you continue to be an inspiration for so many of us joy diet journeyers. xo, kaileenelise
Posted by: kaileenelise | October 30, 2009 at 11:19 AM
What a lovely treat to yourself to get yourself out of debt and lift that stress from your daily life. Congratulations on that and on continuing to treat yourself.
I especially appreciated your thoughts about how you treat yourself with the words you speak to yourself. Good stuff.
Posted by: Kim | October 30, 2009 at 11:52 AM
I really enjoyed your post, & the online 'retreat' class sounds so fun! Yea on being debt free - reading yours, I realize I am, too! I kind of know that, but don't think of it :) My kids encouraged me to pay off my CC every month (which I got a few years ago when I bought my house. OK, I guess I have that debt, but my monthly payments are less than what most folks pay in rent :)
& I, too, really enjoy getting little 'treats' of handmade art, CSA veggies, etc on a frequent basis.
Similar to Becky's comment on having a photo of yourself as a child 'up' somewhere, a coaching friend sug one where 'you can see the light in your eyes'
She also suggests throwing your arms up 'in joy' when you verbalize an affirmation! Fun stuff
Thanks for sharing :)
Posted by: Dia | October 30, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Love your post... it made me smile as I read it.. You will love the heated seats. I loved them while in NY and I have to confess I still use them in Southern California!!!
Posted by: MaryBethVolpini | October 30, 2009 at 01:51 PM
What a wonderful Halloween corner you have here!
I gasped at the "As a daughter of a perfectionist, I've learned to be very critical of my performance." I need to change the way I treat myself to cut the chain of inner critics before my daughter inherits it. Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by: Paula - Buenos Aires | October 30, 2009 at 02:33 PM
Hi Kathryn,
Bravo for you for being debt free! And good for you for being such a good treater to your magnificent self!!! Lovely post!
Posted by: Silky Hart | October 30, 2009 at 03:24 PM
Hi Kathryn
How wonderful to have let go of your debt and allowing yourself to receive the delights that make your heart sing.
I love your halloween corner. Thank you for sharing the resources.
Much Love
Fatma
Posted by: Fatma | October 30, 2009 at 04:15 PM
This is definitely a post to come back and read again and again. I especially like the thought of finishing off every day with a track back of the things that made you happy with your son - I'll start doing this with mine too - we can make it a part of our bedtime routine. Sharing this journey with you all is a real treat.
Posted by: Lisa | October 30, 2009 at 04:22 PM
What a wonderful reminder of how so many of us talk to ourselves in a less than compassionate way... and how we deserve our self-love and celebration!
Posted by: Lisa | October 30, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Thank you so much for sharing your week with treats. I really liked how you showed your progression with treats in this post. And thank you so much for the reminder about how important self care is to overall wellbeing.
Posted by: Ellecubed | October 30, 2009 at 05:31 PM
yes, your post made me smile and reflect a little more of treats. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You are a wise woman.
Posted by: Gina | October 30, 2009 at 09:17 PM
Thanks for sharing your journey with treats this week. Wow that must be such a relief to have paid off all debts, that is a wish of mine also. Love the treats in your picture especially the joy glass.
Posted by: karen D | October 31, 2009 at 07:09 PM
It sure is freeing to be free of debts! Treating oneself is so important - you have done an awesome job of that!
Happy Hallowe'en!
Posted by: Bev | October 31, 2009 at 07:24 PM
What a gentle reminder to treat ourselves as we kindly as we treat others ... Thank you and congratulations of your recent treats!
Posted by: stargardener | November 01, 2009 at 05:53 AM
Hopefully something to make you feel good at the end of the day... a Kreativ blogger award from me to you!
Come along and collect at your leisure
http://collagediva.typepad.com/collagediva/2009/10/joy-diet-6-treats.html
Posted by: Lisa | November 01, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Of course, it does help if I give you the link to my blog rather than your own!
http://all-the-wright-stuff.blogspot.com/2009/10/awarded-to.html
Posted by: Lisa | November 01, 2009 at 11:09 AM
nothing better than treats!!
Posted by: melita | November 02, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Thank you for your post. Very insightful read.
Posted by: Sankofa Studio | November 03, 2009 at 05:15 AM