Is it just me?

Never. And the fortune some people spend on those fake nails! Each to their own.

PollyJ What is your self indulgence? Too many posters are spurning some self indulgences but do not say what they do to treat themselves.

JaneJudge I am with you with choice of sitting in a pub garden with family or friends.?

Although I’ve never had a spa day but would probably like to in the future, I do love to get my nails done and other bits of beauty treatments. I really look forward to the little pamper session, having a good natter and coffee with the lady who does my nails. For me it’s having that time for myself and I like to have gel nails because they last a month rather than me doing them and chipping a day after I’ve done them. I definitely don’t think it’s self indulgent, it’s a little treat that helps me feel better. Each to their own I suppose.

What on earth is wrong with a little self indulgence for heavens sake !?
We all have different ways in which we enjoy ourselves Quizzer and spend our time and hard earned money .

Beauty treatments and the like can be very therapeutic as many have said , and quite frankly after the year we have had I’m sure therapists will be run off their feet.

Would you say the same about knitting wool, crochet hooks, sewing fabrics, dogs , cats, chocolates, alcohol, meals out , cars,jewellery, shoes, lovely clothes and handbags, fresh flowers, gardening stuff....

Each to their own without judgment I say .

DH gave me a voucher for a facial and massage for Christmas in 2019. Valid for a year, I booked it in November 2020, then back into lockdown! Hoping I will be able to use it soon. I always have pedicures in the summer, my feet aren't beautiful it makes them look a bit better. We all have our own ways to be self indulgent, treatments are mine.

As many have said, it’s not for me. I even hate haircuts. But we should be allowed to spend our money on what we enjoy without being judged, be it on clothes, trips out, holidays, meals out, decorating our homes; so many things could be classed as self indulgent as they are not essential to life. That’s how we live now.

I don’t indulge in these things either but it is what ever makes you feel good about yourself that matters. I was given a spa pampering day as a present and went along with my DD. It was not for me and I spent the time thinking about what I could have been doing! It was nice to spend the day with my DD (she didn’t give me the gift I might add). I am very much an outdoor person, gardening, horses and dogs- this is my kind of indulgence.

Of we can afford it and it makes us feel good, why shouldn't indulge now and again. Just because we don't fancy what someone else chooses to do, doesn't give us the right to be dismissive or critical. I don't do spas or treatments but if we are flying long haul-I wish- we'll upgrade to Premium Economy. In Lockdown my indulgence was to buy beautiful yarn and crochet lovely throws and blankets that I didn't need but really enjoyed making. Does OP have any indulgences?? I wish she'd reply to comments.

Years ago I did once have my eyebrows plucked. It was so painful that I never went back.
I quite fancy a spa day but doubt it will be possible now.

I have always done self maintenance but now I am older I like a treat. When 40 I joined a gym and damaged my back quite badly in the induction. Ended up hardly able to walk with bad sciatica so was recommended to an osteopath off Harley Street. 40 minutes later was pain free. Continued with some maintenance massages for a while and found it so relaxing I almost fell asleep. Two friends treated me to a facial, one in Middlesex and one in Spain. Not my scene before, but it was fabulous. Broke my shoulder and arm on the same day. Surgeon gave me the go ahead to continue with booked holiday to Rhodes. Couldn't paint toe nails, or more importantly cut them, so had my first pedicure. Was dreading the whole posh procedure but it was wonderful. Definitely worth giving it a go. I am not keen on strangers touching me, but would I refuse a paramedic? No.

I love anything like that....its not a priority for me but summer time i usually have pedicures and i love a massage, gets all my knots out LOL...
Hair is a priority though....my first appt is 16th April lol.

I don't think you are alone in thinking that. Society has changed in the last 10 - 15 years and made these treatments that once only the rich could have indulged more affordable for 'ordinary folk'.

As a young adult I never had a manicure or pedicure, nor did I know anyone who did. It wasn't a part of our social set. Now we have more available and affordable options, and I admit to having more disposable income.

Saying that, it's just not my habit. I will indulge once or twice a year for mani or pedi, and have never had a facial. I do go occasionally for a massage, but more for the medical benefit than pleasure.

If something makes you feel good, and you can afford it, then go ahead and enjoy.

I had my feet treated yesterday by a podiatrist.
Happy corn-free feet for Easter! I had a warm wax melt on them too as they were so dry after being in socks all winter.
I call it “maintenance” and it was well worth the money.

Nothing unusual for me, I've never had any of these things either and I don't feel like I'm missing something. I just don't want to spend my time on it but if that's what helps people feel better about themselves, then let it be. Some enjoy body massages or pedicures, some enjoy Photodiva edits where they have much less wrinkles, some enjoy jogging- everyone is different and if there is something that makes one feel confident then it's right for them and others just have something else.

Ooh Puzzler61 that sounds lovely. I do envy you.

Whatever makes you feel happy.

Each to their own. I am not interested in any of those things and just want a decent hair cut and they just wet it and cut it and that is that. But as I have a very bad back my great pleasure would be a good massage by a well qualified masseur with lovely essential oils. My other thing I would love is to spend time in a hot tub. I first used them in Iceland sat on the roof of a hotel with a great view of the snowy hills but it was lovely. I am unable to walk much at all and so doing either of these and then being able to go somewhere quiet and look out at woods and flowers . Bliss

If it makes you feel good and you can afford it why not? I don’t mind admitting that I enjoy facials , pedicures and manicures and the improvement is certainly welcome. I often think there is a certain kind of woman who feels they are above a little improving and rubbish those who do indulge.

Nanna58. I agree with you I also think it reflects moral standards from a previous age, Victorian, or even a strong Puritan ethic, that somehow lingers on.

I remember a verse from childhood
Little bits of powder, little bits of paint, make a pretty lady look like what she ain't I feel there is tinge of that feeling that in the OP.

I understand that my paternal grandmother hinted to my father that as my mother wore make-up and enjoyed going the plays of Noel Coward, she was, as the phrase went then no better than she ought to be

The suggestion that if you indulge in anything that us physically indulgent, you are somehow morally suspect.

I don't bother with having my nails done (probably because I break them when doing DIY!) but I do like having my eyebrows threaded and every so often my whole face threaded. I actually find it very relaxing, I must be odd! It's not an extravagance, it saves me time trying to pluck eyebrows myself and looks a lot better.

MOnica
You put that so nicely. I’m afraid my own thoughts on posters responses are a lot more blunt ?
My mother was the first person to pluck my eyebrows and dye my hair.

I have my hair done once every 6 weeks (usually) . That’s all.
Apart from the expense I really couldn’t be bothered to sit there being pampered. I have better things to do. Each to their own!

I'm with OP, Pittcity and others. Apart from a haircut, I don't want any of those things and never did. I think so much of it is just a fad which reminds me of school fads. They persuade themselves that they 'must' have something because 'everyone' else has it. I can't stand the cult of narcissism which has swept the developed world. I can't remember women of my mother's generation being desperate for a 'spa day'. However, if people want to spend their money on those things, let them do it. They are putting money into circulation, and that's a good thing. The economy needs them to spend their cash.

I once received a beauty voucher for a birthday gift ( what were they trying to tell me ?) I hate being touched but chose the least intrusive treatment - eye brow waxing and a manicure . It took 6 visits to use up the voucher and every time I had to take anti histamines after and my home manicure was better than the professional one ! Pure torture and a waste of money .