Shit That Makes Me Feel Good
A non-exhaustive list!
Shitters! I spent the weekend doing some of my favorite, feel-good things, which got me thinking about compiling some of them for you!
(I own a few white button downs, but this one is easily my favorite. The thicker cotton stands out among other options, and the cut is just perfect. It’s meant to be slightly oversized—I’m in the 2.)
Whether you’re in the market for an immediate pick-me-up, something to help a friend who’s going through it, or small things that’ll help you feel your best in the long run, there’s something in here for you! Some fall into the category of shit I bought, but many cost nothing but your time. As always, I hope you find something that you enjoy!
Being there for a friend. And when my friends are there for me! If you’re like me, sometimes you worry that you don’t know the right thing to say, but just being there and letting them know that you are/want to be/care helps.
Bone broth rice. This doesn’t fall into the traditional comfort food category, but it’s so cozy and nourishing! I like making big batches to pair with proteins throughout the week (shoutout to Ella Henry for the recipe!).
Mamma Mia!!!! My #1 feel-good movie of all time.
Perhaps insane to say, but reading the news. Maybe not when you’re in the thick of a personal crisis, but otherwise, pick up a paper! Ignorance may be bliss when you don’t know what you don’t know, but when you do… it’s the exact opposite. At least for me, taking a minute or two to read the details behind a headline feels way better than hearing something, but having no idea what it actually means.
Learning something new in general! The wine book is a perfect example!
A BLOWOUT. 10ish minutes with this thing* is a one-way ticket to a better week in my book.
Putting on a snuggly sweater to sit in my house and write. Light the candle, wear the good sweater—you are worthy of using your nice things!! Speaking of, if you haven’t tried that one yet, mine arrived two weeks ago and is already one of the best sweaters I own!
Crossing things off of my to-do list. Not to go full hustle culture on you, but there are times when it just feels better to me to get my shit done, as opposed to trying to hit pause or relax when I’m in the zone.
Related Reading:
Doing a small kindness for a stranger or someone in need. Make it a regular thing by finding a cause or group you care about and volunteering with them!
A breezy morning run. I can’t say I love every single minute of it, but setting a distance goal and following through on it has to be one of the quickest ways to feel accomplished! (On days when I’m not feeling up to a run, a long walk by the water is really great too.)
Feeling the sun on my (SPFed) face.
When consumerism is the only answer, a new lip product is my low-stakes way to scratch the itch. My current favorites are this rich lip butter* (can’t get enough of the name and the hint of mint!), and this slim, balm-y lipstick for the perfect wash of color.
Music! I try to put something on in the background as often as possible—how are you supposed to romanticize your life without a soundtrack?!
Cooking something healthy instead of ordering a million Veselka pierogies on a random Tuesday night.
Ordering a million Veselka pierogies on a random Tuesday night.
Getting lost in a good book! Usually I go for thrillers, but lately I’ve been looking forward to the end of the night so I can get a few minutes with the main characters in Erika Veurink’s new romance novel!
A five minute speed clean. It can be hard to find the time for a full top-to-bottom clean, but a five minute sprint to tidy up the kitchen or vacuum the living room? Doable, and always leaves me feeling better than when I started.
Is a hot shower the cure for everything? It’s never made me feel worse! When I really want to treat myself, I follow up with this wooden tool + body oil* (I like that oil in particular because it absorbs relatively quickly, rather than the thicker ones that leave your skin greasy for hours).
Hate to say it, but downtime is better in a matching set. If I were making a care package for a girlfriend, these supersoft PJs would be in it (along with these super thick socks).
Tired: Taking your bra off after a long day. Wired: Switching to bras that make you forget about that feeling entirely. I tried these* after hearing more than a few people talk them up them recently and they’re even more comfortable than I expected! (I’m not even a briefs girl, but theirs are very comfy too + currently on sale).
Wheeling and dealing on Poshmark. As a buyer, it scratches the itch of a good find/deal, but as a seller… that’s where you find out what you’re really made of.
^Me, a woman in/on business, when someone asks if a $10 commission difference really matters that much.
Doing something with my hands. Cooking from a somewhat involved recipe, painting a birthday card, even putting together small furniture—maybe it’s because so much of my day is spent on a computer, but making something tangible with my own hands feels really good.
Burrowing into my Sleep Crown. I originally got this squishy little pillow to go over my head at night (sounds crazy, but I swear it’s amazing—I wrote more about it earlier this year), but the soft, drapey feel is really comforting, regardless of whether you have it directly on your head, or just next to you in bed. Their site says that it makes a good gift for people experiencing grief or recoveries of any kind, and tbh I really agree.
Keeping a commitment I’ve made, especially when I’m tempted to reschedule. Can’t say that I always do it, but I’ve been trying my best, and that’s gotta count for something!
Planning an excursion! Perhaps people with young kids feel differently (I imagine you’re excursion-ing all the time?), but planning a trip to a museum or a hike or even a new-to-you restaurant in a different neighborhood is a nice way to break out of your routine when you’re feeling bored.
Maintaining eye contact/smiling at dogs as you pass them on the street.
Gratitude! Being overcome by it is the most buoyant, beautiful feeling.
Liberal use of the middle finger. Also a beautiful feeling!
Obviously a sweet treat. Shoutout to my sister for introducing me to these chocolate chip cookies—a new favorite!
Compliments! Everyone says it, but I’m really trying not to keep the ones that I think about other people to myself!
You’ve seen some of mine—now I want to know yours! If you have feel-good movie suggestions, favorite little pick-me-ups, or other ways that someone showed up for you when you were having a rough go, drop them below!
*We have discounts codes for several brands mentioned above! PRIYANKA15 gets you 15% off at Mutha and EBY, and PRIARIBI gets you 15% off at Dermstore. More codes are always available here!
I love this post so much. Thank you.
Staying informed, doing the research, getting out and involved — absolutely self care!!! Love that one!! I’ve never felt more energized than when I engage in my civic duty. When I feel the most helpless and hopeless are the times I do nothing.