40 Ways to Pamper Yourself Because You're Worth It

You're hitting your personal goals, smashing one professional accomplishment after the other, and making time to celebrate your friends and family. But when was the last time you really connected with yourself? While it’s great when friends, family members, and significant others treat you to something unexpected for your birthday or another special occasion, what about the other 364 days of the year? Life is too short to not treat yourself, especially when you set the precedent for how you want others to treat you. All that hard work deserves a little recognition.

Whether you’ve achieved a long-term milestone or simply had the most productive day ever, you’re worth it and you deserve it. Here are 40 ideas to inspire your next pamper-yourself-day.

Beauty

1. Enjoy a massage– better yet, splurge on the extra special 90-minute one.
2. Get a manicure and pedicure. And while you sit there, listen to your favorite playlist or podcast, allowing yourself to completely zone out.
3. Indulge in a facial at that fancy place you always pass and want to go into but stop yourself from.
   
4. Get a blowout and opt for the extra ten-minute scalp massage if they offer it.
5. Splurge on expensive skincare products.
6. Buy a new lipstick or nail polish, or both.
7. Sleep in. That's right, don't set any alarms and slip a sleep mask on so that the sun doesn't wake you.
8. Get your makeup done by a professional even if you have nowhere to go but your couch.
9. Schedule a spa day and take full use of their amenities like the dry sauna or steam room instead of narrowing down which one you can enjoy before you go about your day.

Food

1. Go to the local oyster bar during $1-oyster happy hour. Order a dozen oysters on the half shell and a glass of Champagne.
2. Go to the local ice cream parlor and indulge in an ice cream cone or sundae.
3. Bake yourself your favorite dessert.
4. Visit your favorite restaurant and enjoy a meal all by yourself. Get the wine pairings if they have them.
5. Order a pizza, open a bottle of red wine from your special stash, and binge-watch that trashy TV show you’ve been thinking about starting.
6. Make your favorite dish for dinner.
7. Go to the fancy coffee place and order a full-fat espresso drink.
8. Have expensive cheese, charcuterie, and artisanal bread for dinner.
9. Hit up a posh hotel bar and enjoy some of their signature house cocktails.
10. Go to your favorite deli, order your favorite sandwich, and have it for lunch someplace outside.
11. Go to a bakery and get a cupcake or doughnut– or maybe both.

Shopping

1. Buy the prettiest flowers at Trader Joe’s, go home, and make yourself a bouquet to admire all week.
2. Splurge on that new pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing.
3. Treat yourself to some new lingerie and relish sleeping in it alone.
4. Order that item from Revolve that's been sitting in your cart for who knows how long. Get it gift-wrapped and send it to yourself. Don’t forget a note telling yourself how fabulous you are.
5. Find your signature scent and take it home with you. Don't be precious with it; wear it with abandon.
6. Purchase the boujie candle you've been coveting and light it as soon as you get home instead of stashing it away for a rainy day.

Leisure

1. Take the afternoon off of work, grab that book that's been sitting on your bookcase, head to your favorite park, and spend a few hours reading.
2. Throw a “me” party by yourself at home. Make your favorite cocktail, turn up your favorite song, and dance around the house.
   
3. Run a bath, throw in some salts and oils, and zen out to a sound bath.
4. Cancel plans, clear your schedule, and indulge in a cozy day of your favorite at-home activities.
5. Take a nap! Bonus points if you incorporate some new pjs and cozy socks.
6. Walk someplace where you’ll have a great view of the sunset. Bring a blanket and watch the day turn into night.
7. Hire someone to clean your space.
8. Book a night at a fancy hotel. Take a bubble bath, order room service, and watch a movie.
9. Prioritize that yoga or meditation class you've been meaning to attend.

Culture

1. Visit that museum exhibit you keep seeing advertised but wind up forgetting about.
2. Get a single ticket to the opera, ballet, or symphony. Get dressed up, go to the show, then have a late dinner at a nearby bistro. Order the cheeseburger and a martini.
3. Buy that piece of artwork you’ve been lusting after for months.
4. Sign up for that calligraphy class you’ve been wanting to take.
5. Go to a concert all by yourself– you'll be able to take in every song without distraction.