I think everyone has them. You know, the purchases that are not necessary but bring you some kind of joy. For some, they are games, puzzles, plants, books, etc… Its range is broad and the need it fills is just as wide.
What do we do if we are broke but still want these pieces of joy in our life? Somehow, I feel that if you want it bad enough you will find a way. Whether it’s buying it second hand, “recycling” your current collection, or trading in old versions for new ones. Whatever the method, we always seem to find a way to fill our “need” for these items.
Candles
For me, it’s candles of every shape and size, but scent is a whole other story. I like fresh, natural scents. Whether that’s cashmere, cotton, vanilla, fireside, birch, whatever…. Bring me a fresh scented candle and I am happy. Better yet, there are the candles that crackle that add an extra layer of ambiance to the whole experience.
So why do I need so many candles? Well, first, to be honest, I don’t “need” them but I really, really want them. I think it’s important for us all to have things in our life, frivolous as they may seem to others, that bring us joy, act as distractions, or stimulate us in a fun way.
Puzzles
I’ve almost started calling them my pandemic puzzles as they have gotten me through hours of the long days at home. They do a great job of passing the time and there’s a great sense of accomplishment when one is completed. Or even one hard to find place for piece that fits into the puzzle is a win.
I know that many of us have turned to puzzles to get us through the pandemic. They are an easy, fun source of entertainment and they are generally very affordable. Especially if you buy/sell them as you go!
Self-Care
This all really boils down to taking proper care of ourselves. We all need to find ways to make sure that mentally and physically we are doing okay at all times. While there are many, many kinds of self-care, I think it’s important to acknowledge that sometimes self-care takes the form of material items in addition to things like long baths, meditation, and yoga.
While we all have different things that provide a means to self-care, sometimes it really is just these material things that we need to fill our time, to distract us and to bring us joy. There’s nothing to feel guilty about. Even if we are on a tight budget, there are plenty of ways to fulfill these needs while still maintaining a tight budget.
If you deprive yourself of these things, you may soon find yourself longing for them. Perhaps even a bit sad. Don’t let anyone tell you are being materialistic for finding joy in things because realistically we all have some “things” in life that bring us joy. Yes, experiences and relationships are still key to a healthy life, but so are these self-care items. Relish them, guilt-free!
What things bring you joy?
What things do you find you buy over and over again to help with your self-care? What do you still buy that you don’t necessarily “need” but want, even when your budget is tight?
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