Anonymous wrote:I’d get a piece of jewelry.

Get a piece of permanent jewelry welded on! Like an anklet

Get a couple blow outs for your hair. Amazing what how much better a good hair day feels.

Olaplex No. 3 from Sephora. It repairs hair and makes it shiny. I leave mine on for 30 minutes before rinsing. Always leaves my hair shiny.

Don’t make it a one time purchase, OP. Do nice things for yourself weekly.

Cater to each of your senses daily.

Flowers, plants, perfume, lotion, soaps - for smell

New sheets, pjs, new hairbrush, massage, yoga - for touch

Watch feel good movies, turn off the news, keep pretty flowers by your front door, new clothing, new jewelry - for sight

Explore music like you did when you were young - find new playlists on a Spotify, see live music, change up what you listen to in the car, spend time listening to the sounds of nature (birds, beach, quiet) - for sense of hearing

Indulge in coffee, tea, desserts, restaurant meals, fresh fruit, - sense of taste

Do these things often. If you want retail therapy, and are on a budget, shop places like TJMaxx and Marshall’s for nail polish, clothes, beauty items, etc.

Make treating your senses each week part of your routine. Don’t deprive yourself. Celebrate yourself and enjoy how these things make you feel. And yes, with creativity and forethought, this can all be done on a budget. Don’t overspend amd get into a financial pickle.

Anonymous wrote:When I was kind of depressed during the pandemic, on a whim I once got flowers at Trader Joe's, and was amazed at how much they brightened my mood.

Buy a pretty vase and get flowers at Trader Joe's once a week.

https://gumps.com/products/happy-face-small-vase?_pos=5&_sid=a6d6a3706&_ss=r

https://gumps.com/products/bud-vase-highgate-heart?_pos=11&_sid=a6d6a3706&_ss=r

https://www.amazon.com/Hobnail-Vase/s?k=Hobnail+Vase

Trader Joe’s has such great flowers. I’m actually planning to go pick some up there this weekend. They are so cheerful. I’m also a crazy houseplant lady and keep adding more to our home.

Other things that make me feel good OP are keeping the windows open in the early part of the day before it gets hot (on a nice day) or a cup of coffee out on the porch with my kindle or a neighbor to chat with. Or sometimes I like to get out to a coffee shop to read.

Other ideas include signing up for a group exercise class + some nice exercise gear. Or if that isn’t feasible, then set aside time for long walks with a podcast or audiobook to listen to.

Also: A delicious Boba. Getting your nails done (I always feel a bit more put together with a mani/pedi). Some nice bubble bath or shower oil. A trip to the library. A nice hair cut. Take a local rec center class like creative writing, sewing, or cake decorating.

Good luck OP, I hope this midlife crisis passes quickly for you!

I like "projects" so I can feel like I'm making progress rather than a one time purchase. Makes me feel like I have some level of control.

I have Invisalign for my teeth. IPL hair remover. And individual beauty products for a targeted need - currently a dark spot corrector for some acne scars.

Go to Sephora and have them do your makeup

The Charlotte Tilbury counter at Nordstrom always perks me up.

Fun nail polish and gradual self tanning moisturizer. You will look totally like yourself just a little bit more glow. Maybe you don’t need it, so it might not be relevant, but I always feel better when my skin is lightly tanned and moisturized. Hides all the spots

My go-tos:

Massage
Foil highlights
Dysport injections
Steam room time
Mani/pedi

1. Spa pedicure
2. Small piece of jewelry, perhaps a pair of earrings that slightly dangle for the summer.
3. After pedicure, wear said earrings into an upscale hotel bar and have a martini, very dry while listening to the afternoon pianist.

Do not speak to anyone, just enjoy the time alone.

Anonymous wrote:Clothes, makeup, skincare, I don't know. Some kind of treat. Under $100 would be great but I'm open to more if it would solve all my self-esteem problems on a temporary basis.

I'm 44, a mom, my career is stalling, peri-menopause is hitting me hard, I don't get enough sleep, I don't have enough friends, my marriage is okay but I feel like we're totally out of sync, I'm feeling all the middle-age "what does it all mean?!" hard and I just want to feel beautiful or well cared for or both, even if it's only fleeting and based on a great dress or fantastic perfume or something.

Yes, yes, it would be better for me to be asking for therapy recs. This is cheaper! Help a mom in a middle life crisis feel good about myself for a minute!

Eyelash lift
Lottery ticket
LBD
Massage

I know how you feel! I recently bought new tennis shoes for walking and a very expensive lip gloss. This weekend I’m getting my hair colored, getting a mani/pedi and buying a set of crest white strips.

I also took things to the next level and bought a walking pad so I can keep moving during some extraneous meetings during remote work.

A water bottle: https://www.swell.com/collections/original-bottles/products/midnight-sky-bottle-1

Storyworth for a family member or friend:
https://welcome.storyworth.com/

Tinglit formline tote bag: https://trickstercompany.com/collections/new/products/canvas-tote-bags-printed-in-alaska

And honestly, one thing that’s kind of unusual is get a henna tattoo—the artwork is gorgeous and it’s very contemplative.

I'd up the budget and get myself a nice piece of jewelry.