Every day is a special occasion!

The daily grind, groundhog day, same old same old, same s*@t different day......whatever your favourite expression, there’s no denying that life can get, well, a touch monotonous. 

Most of us have a daily routine, we are creatures of habit, but this can lead to feeling like you are trudging round on a treadmill, forgetting to be happy. There is no doubt that happiness is one elusive scoundrel. Most of us think ‘Ah, I will be happy if.....’ or ‘If only x,y,z would fall into place I would be happy’.

We feel that there are huge obstacles in the way of happiness, like big hairy monsters guarding some mythical gate to which we cannot find the key. But, quite often, it‘s little things that enrich our daily lives. Small pleasures that add sparkle to our day and help us to feel happy NOW, not in some magical future, or dim, distant, rose-tinted past.

I’m going to let you in on a piece of advice I read, many moons ago, that had a huge impact on me.  It’s helped me feel happier, and has made life that little bit more lovely! So what is this elixir of happiness? It’s simple - every day should be treated as a special occasion.  

The notion of using little luxuries – whether big or small, expensive or less so - to make yourself feel good each day, and not just saving them for some elusive special occasion, sounds simple, or even obvious, but it’s something that not many people practice. And it's strangely freeing.

Open that bottle of champagne you’ve been saving and have it with your fish and chips on Friday night! Use your favourite perfume every day, not just on nights out. This concept gives you permission to be frivolous and can make a big difference to your levels of contentment. Life should be enjoyed and any little pleasure that helps you feel good should be grabbed with both hands, and not ‘saved for another time’.

We’ve all bought something amazing, put it on a shelf like some precious artefact, and just admired it whilst thinking I’ll use that only on special occasions. This is a daft attitude, frankly. A belief which says that only on high days and holidays can we possibly give ourselves the best in life. Only on those days are we allowed to treat ourselves really well. In actual fact, we should treat ourselves well all the time! 

Sure there will be days when plain and simple is just fine, thanks very much. Similarly there will be things that you do, for a special occasion, to set that day apart in some way.  But don’t forget that any day can be wonderful! A stressful day can be soothed by having a deep bath with your favourite bath oil; dinner with your partner can be made more lovely by setting the table nicely, and using your best glasses; your confidence can be given a boost by using your posh toiletries in the morning, rather than your usual day to day stuff. 

It’s about shaking up your daily routine and allowing yourself little pleasures, and not feeling that there has to be some reason to warrant treating yourself. Just the fact that you are living another day on this mad, funny, eclectic, wonderful planet, is reason enough.  And please don’t feel it is selfish or self-indulgent. As the wonderful Gretchen Rubin points out in her brilliant book ‘The Happiness Project’ – which I thoroughly recommend – the best way to make those around you happy, is to be happy yourself. Plus treating yourself as though you are ‘worth it’ will make you feel better about yourself.

So, you see, by not treating yourself well, you are actually being more selfish. And when you put it like that, it’s a win-win! You have a duty of care to yourself and being your own best mate benefits those around you too! So celebrate YOU today and throw a few little luxuries into your day. You’ll be glad you did!

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About the Author

Charlotte Pingriff is an Artist, Body Caster and Writer. She runs the quirkily creative Perfectly Cast – a lovely arty haven of happiness, positive body image and down to earth cheer. Perfectly Cast is currently in a period of transition and re-launches at the end of September with a brand new look and a whole lot more wonderfulness for all. Take a sneak peek at www.perfectlycast.co.uk and follow Charlotte on Facebook and Twitter for all the news, and to witness the chrysalis becoming the butterfly!