Treating Yourself Doesn’t Always Have To Mean Spending Money

It just means spending time with yourself

by Gabriella Di Dea

Photo by Emma Almaraz

I, like many of you, have fallen victim to the sweet-treat epidemic. Or the “convincing myself to buy something to treat myself” epidemic. And the “spending unnecessary amounts of money under the guise of self-care” epidemic. The list goes on. However, we may be losing sight of what it really means to treat ourselves.

So, let’s go back to the drawing board. What does treating yourself mean?

Treating yourself is doing something positive for yourself that goes beyond basic acts of self-care. For example, brushing your teeth probably does not fall under the category of treating yourself. Making sure you eat enough in a day? I don’t think that qualifies either. Treating yourself is an extension of self-care, and it can take many forms—as long as it involves intentionally investing time to help you feel your best.

It doesn’t always have to be about material consumption. Sure, online shopping can be enjoyable, and going out to eat at a restaurant that’s slightly out of your price range can have its time and place. However, it’s neither realistic nor fair to treat yourself only when your bank account deems it feasible.

In college, it can be easy to fall into the habit of thinking that self-care or treating yourself must involve spending your hard-earned money in lavish ways, which can lead to forgoing it altogether. In reality, treating yourself can be virtually anything; it just depends on how much time or energy you have to invest in it.

Free or low-cost activities are my go-to. Lately, I’ve been planning outdoor runs during sunset. This is hands-down one of my favorite ways to treat myself because it combines several constructive elements: getting outside, moving my body, and taking the time to experience the world around me. If you’re not a runner, turn it into a hot girl walk, grab a blanket, and find a patch of grass, or simply look for a peaceful bench.

Treating yourself can also mean setting aside some time at the beginning or end of the day to engage in something you’re passionate about or to cultivate a new hobby, like reading, drawing, gaming, or picking up that instrument you’ve told yourself you’d learn to play every year since you were thirteen.

Treating yourself is simple. It’s anything that you consciously set time and effort for to check in with yourself and appreciate the person you are. Let’s face it: you are doing a lot and probably not giving yourself enough credit for it. If no one’s told you, I’m proud of you, so go treat yourself. Give yourself the space to mindfully rest and relax. You never know—you might just save money doing it.