Be Selfish–Take Care Of Yourself

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As women of a certain age, we were always taught to not be selfish.  We were told “don’t be selfish” when it came to our toys, but now I am telling you that it is okay to be selfish.  Women of a certain age have earned the right to want and do something just for themselves–we’re not going to hurt anyone.

Some things that you can do that will make only you happy or at least the happiest in your family.

  • Cook a meal that only you like–sit down and enjoy it.  How many times have you eaten what everyone else likes?  I can almost guarantee that someone will eat with you.
  • Hire someone to help with the housework–schedule the way it fits your budget and needs.
  • Get regular manicures and pedicures–again your schedule, your finances.
  • Take your time when placing your order at a restaurant–ask questions if you so desire.  You want what you want.
  • Say no to babysitting the grandkids every time they ask–you love them, but you have a life.
  • Watch a movie that you like while sitting in the comfy chair.
  • When they ask you to watch the television in the back so they can all watch something on the bigger tv tell them no and keep watching.
  • Go shopping and only buy for yourself.
  • While shopping don’t call and tell them about a sale because you know you will buy the item(s) and never get paid for it.
  • Sleep late or take a nap for no reason except you can.
  • Take a vacation day from work and don’t tell anyone–do what you want to do on that day.
  • Play the music in your car and in theirs that you like–they do this all the time.
  • Hide your good candy.  They don’t know the difference between Belgian Chocolate and milk chocolate.

These seem like simple things, but we as women of a certain age were taught to put others before us, and stop being selfish.  If taking care of yourself is being selfish, then I am all for it.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”.  You’re not being selfish by making yourself happy.   Take into consideration that they would want you to be happy.

Share with us any other ways that we can be “selfish” and not hurt anyone.  We are looking forward to reading them.

Addendum To 5 Tips For A Great Vacation 

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Keep living, and you will keep learning. This is just a small addendum to my 5 tips for having a great vacation especially when you are away for more than 5 days.

Again it will depend on your accommodations. I don’t like bringing back luggage filled with dirty clothing. When staying at timeshares there are laundry facilities so there are no worries. But what if you are staying somewhere where there are no laundry facilities or you just don’t want to do laundry? Here is my suggestion.

  • Throw Away Clothing! What am I talking about? You know that blouse, those pants, that skirt, dress and yes that underwear that has been sitting in the closet or drawer for some time. Wear it and throw it away. About once a year when I was wearing pantyhose on a daily basis I would go through the drawer they were in and throw away every pair that was open, and start again.

My new rule since having Lifestyle Consierge help me get my closets and drawers organized is when something new comes in, something old or not being used comes out. If you do the throw away clothing then you will have room in your luggage for all of the great new stuff, or at least you have started cleaning your closets and drawers. It’s a win-win situation. 

Remember “thisyourbestyear” why spend it doing laundry after your great vacation?

5 Things That Will Help You Have A Great Vacation

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In my lifetime there have been good vacations, bad vacations and great ones.  I’ve learned how to make them great.  There are certain things that work for me, and have made my vacations truly vacations–not just trips. Let’s take a look at the top 5.

  • Decide where you are going.  Seems strange, but you must know where you are going.  This is so important, it will affect everything else you do.  All of California is not the same–the beach in Texas is not the beach in South Carolina.  One Hawaiian island is not the same as the other one. Do you want hot or cold or somewhere in between? Do you want to sightsee, be active, meditate, be on the go every minute, rest by the ocean all day while reading? Do your research.
  • Decide how long you want to vacation.  I’ve read about people who have vacationed for a couple of days to a couple of months.  You have to decide, and you must include travel time, hotel check-in and check-out times, and one that we forget–departure time.  Sometimes we check-out, and have nothing to do but sit at the airport and wait.
  • Transportation is one factor that we tend to forget.  As women of a certain age, we may not have the children to take along, but some of you might be taking the grandchildren.  Roadtrips can be the best if you are traveling with the right people.  Do you have time to ride the train?  It’s never on time.  There are charter buses.  Remember flying is not the flying of old.  Sometimes the people look like they are on the bus (really), the costs for each piece of luggage adds to the cost of the vacation, and the time it takes to get through the check-in procedure can start your vacation off badly.
  • What type of accommodations do you want to have during your vacation?  Are you going to have a single room, a suite, is breakfast included?  Maybe you would like a timeshare. Maybe you want all-inclusive, one with no children, one that does or does not allow pets.  I don’t do colored bedspreads or pets–that’s just me. Please remember that the internet makes almost everything look picture perfect.
  • Most Importantly!! Who are you going with?  Are you traveling with your significant other, girlfriends, which girlfriends (some of your friends may not get along, or they like different things) or grown children?  You may be going to your favorite place, but who you go with can change everything. This will determine all of the other things you need to do. It may seem strange, but know how much they like to spend on dining out.  Do they get up in the morning with the television on, do they go to bed early?  Do they hog the bathroom?  Which one of you has to sleep with the light on, music going, television on? You know the adage, “you don’t someone until you live with them”, well try traveling with them.

These are just a few of the things that I have found to be helpful when planning a vacation.  You may have others, please share so that we can all have a great vacation.

Great VacationRemember “thisisyourbestyear”.  Vacations should be stress free.

 

Rejuvenation Is A Necessity

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Sometimes you just need to find a place to relax away from home.  My hubby and I have found that in Bella Vista, Arkansas.  It’s beautiful and quiet.  It gives us time to calm down from the hustle of every day life. One of my favorite places is nearby–Crystal Bridges Museum.  I truly love this museum, it is an afternoon in itself, and this time there was an Andy Warhol and Jamie Wyeth exhibit being featured. Since another couple went with us this time, we went back to Fayetteville to visit the University of Arkansas, and stumbled upon their downtown square–which was really nice.  We then found the Clinton House which is where Bill and Hillary lived while they worked at the University of Arkansas. I stood in the kitchen where Bill cooked dinner. It also features the beautiful First Ladies Garden which showcases each first lady with their favorite flower.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”.  Sometimes you need the quiet.