A few weeks ago I posted a Facebook status update stating that I was not happy and having a hard time being my usual upbeat self due to a death in my family and a failed relationship. I asked my Facebook friends what kinds of things do they do that makes them happy. I got several suggestions that helped me compile the list of activities in my post Devil’s Workshop Going Out of Business…. Everything Inspired by Negativity Must Go!!! One of the more unique suggestions I received was from a good friend. Her suggestion was to “Wash your favorite sheets, mix ½ block of Velveeta with 1 can of Rotel, turn on comedy central, sit in bed and laugh at off color jokes all day”. When I first read my friends reply to my status I laughed because her suggestion came with a disclaimer that it was not for the calorie conscious and something about it leading to a large ass. While I am somewhat calorie conscious I decided to try it anyway.
First I had to make a few adjustments to my friend’s suggestion. I have brand new 600 thread count sheets that I’m sure will be my new favorite sheets. However I did not feel like changing the bedding plus I’m not a big fan of eating in bed. So my first adjustment was to clear the junk from my couch and get a comfy cover that I could get all cozy in. Second adjustment, the dip, I have an aversion to Velveeta. I don’t think I’ve ever had Velveeta but it does not fit my category “real cheese”. But I did have some salsa and a spinach dip on hand. Third adjustment, what to watch? I do enjoy Comedy Central and am rarely offended by off color jokes. But, I had about 80 episodes of the Office recorded on my DVR. Adjustments made I got comfortable for an evening of baked scoops, salsa and spinach dip on my comfy couch laughing at the shenanigans of Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute on The Office.
This was a pleasurable experience although I cannot say lounging on my couch snacking filled me with joy. However I did learn something that will definitely bring me closer to joy. Even something as routine as watching TV on the couch can be fun when you make it special. Normally I do not like to be home alone with no one to talk to. Knowing that I was going to try my friend’s suggestion almost made me look forward to this alone time. I would not just be watching TV because I did not have anything better to do. I’d be watching something that I’d planned with snacks that I’d saved for the occasion in a setting that I’d made comfortable just for me.
We tend to save special things for others. We have plates and towels for company, special foods for holidays, even special underwear and lingerie for that extra special person. Why don’t we have special things just for us? If I plan some special things for me and only me to do, wear, experience when I’m alone then I’ve just made my alone time special time instead of that nasty idle time that leads to negativity. (See Devil’s Workshop Going Out of Business…. Everything Inspired by Negativity Must Go!!!). I’m special enough for the good plates, towels, food, etc…
So thank you my friend, you know who you are, for showing me that I am worth the Velveeta and Rotel Dip. 🙂 I am worth the cheese dip.
Thank you for your wonderful advice! I think that there is room in my life for Rotel Cheese dip and spinach dip, too! I'm so happy I found your blog! I enjoyed visiting and am going to suggest it to my daughter, who is also a 30ish single lady! Annie
I love this – and I love that you took time to pamper yourself a bit. It's such a great reminder for all of us. I have been wanting to watch a miniseries through Netflix for ages, but I haven't taken the time to do it – thank you for the reminder – I think the couch is calling me. I will definitely make a date with myself. 🙂 P.S. – I have the perfect dip to make, too. It's a spinach artichoke fondue…so rich and yummy!
I love your friends advice! Laughter is wonderful medication and it's (virtually) FREE!
Doing something special for ourselves is so important! We spend more time with ourselves (our thoughts, emotions, etc)than we do with anyone else. If it's not good to neglect the people in our relationships, then it's doubly bad (in my opinion) to neglect the person closest to us: ourselves!
Great post!
I truely believe that every day is special and if you save stuff for a special day you will never use them. Good for you making it special.
At times I like the comfort of old things I would not share with company due to age, but your point is rather true as well. Sometimes people try so hard to please others they forget to please themselves, and where is the joy in that? I love The Office and watch that show quite often. No matter what mood I am in, it always puts a smile on my face.
As I sit here and think about what I eat when I'm alone for "comfort food" not one thing in particular comes to mind, but I do enjoy eating foods that remind me of my family aka Polish foods such as pierogies and kielbasa.
Dee