I love to be pampered. Let me repeat myself: I love to be pampered. I can’t think of any better gift than a spa package, complete with massage, facial, mani, pedi, an “I can’t get my nose out of this” kind of book, and a venti something in my hand. Stuff like this makes me giddy, and by nature, I am not a girl that gets “giddy”. However, putting my feet up and allowing someone to rub my worries away for sixty minutes, is the quickest way to my heart.
It didn’t take too long for my husband to figure this out. When, after one gift-giving mishap, he gained significant insight into what makes me tick, and he hasn’t let me down since. Now, while I love a good massage, things like bills, groceries, gas money, (you get the picture) seem to take a financial priority to that of spa days and pedicures. Still, I have these needs. I can’t help myself. So, what’s a girl like me to do?
Well, I have learned the art of self-pampering. I do believe that it is possible to carve out time amidst piles of laundry, dusting, vacuuming, nap times, snack times, sibling rivalries, writing, and dinner making. Some days it is as simple as making myself a hot cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon, and pausing for five or ten minutes. Anything to bring myself back into focus - centered, rejuvenated - and ready to keep plowing through the never-ending list of chores and motherly responsibilities.
I can’t claim to be an expert, by any means, but because of my love for pampering, I have come up with various and creative ways to make sure this need of mine gets met. Thus, I have decided to make Fridays my Free Advice days. You can take it or leave it, it’s up to you, but I’m going to throw my two cents out there anyway (does that still make it free?).
My first Friday Free Advice is communicating to your spouse, significant other or a family member, what makes you tick – what replenishes you and fills your love tank. In order to successfully do this, you need to know what your love language is. And you can find that out by taking this test. It can be completed in about five minutes, or less. Next, share your results. Your husband may want to take it too. Believe me, discovering our different love languages (I highly recommend “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman), revolutionized my marriage. Suddenly, we knew how to love each other in the unique ways we receive love.
In any case, sometimes the first step to successful pampering, is to know what it is you need, and then communicate it (appropriately) with those closest to you. When I’ve had a bad hair day, the best thing my husband can do for me is wrap me up in his big, strong arms and hold me for a while, no words necessary.
Have fun discovering your love language, and don’t forget to share it!