Every once in a while, you just need to spoil yourself. The reasons for that need can vary widely.
Yesterday, I had a work day from Hell. It seemed like every time I turned around there was more bad news, or we were collectively complaining about the bad news we'd already received. Morale was not high. By lunchtime, I'd already decided that instead of going to Spinning class after work, my psyche desperately needed time outdoors. A real bike ride was calling me. Then I remembered that before I could go for a ride, I had to fix a flat rear tire - again. Sigh. It all got done, and I felt much better after taking my angst out on my pedals.
Sometimes, though, the spoiling needs to be more indulgent, more frivolous. For some women, that might mean a manicure or a massage or a shopping spree. Those who know me won't be surprised to know I spoil myself with books. (Yes, an occasional massage, too, but that's beside the point).
I recently decided to spoil myself with a BookRiot Quarterly Box. The idea is that you buy a subscription (cancel at any time), and every three months BookRiot will send you a box of "books and bookish stuff." BookRiot, by the way, is a website/organization about all things books. Their Facebook feed is usually full of entertaining quotes, tidbits, and stuff. Anyway, my first box came a couple of days ago.
What a delight it was to get a package that wasn't just stuff I'd selected and ordered. It almost felt like getting a gift, even though I knew I'd paid for it. Here's what was in my box:
Three books, a deck of literary playing cards, a YA pin, and a useful pouch. Granted, none of these are things I'd normally have purchased for myself, but at the same time, none of them are things that made me say, "What am I going to do with that?" One of the books, Please Ignore Vera Dietz, is even a young adult book that Rowan and I should both enjoy reading.
Now, the first thing I do when receiving something like this is calculate the cost. Am I getting taken advantage of by BookRiot? In this case, I would say, "No." The cost of the books, cards, and pouch was easily equal to the cost of the subscription, not counting shipping or the two months free access to Oyster Books, an ebook service with over 200,000 ebooks. (Sorry, that sounded a little too much like a testimonial. I don't mean to advertise.)
Best of all, I got to enjoy a little thrill when I opened the box and looked through my goodies. Will I continue the subscription? Maybe for another quarter or two. I think I deserve a little self-indulgence. I'll let you know what comes in the next box.
What do you do to indulge yourself? Please share - I'm sure we could all use some new pampering tips.
