Self-Care: Spend Time in Your Happy Place
Value unconventional self-care. Wherever you find your happy place, spend time there.
Self-care is very individual. Think about what gives you pleasure, and you find relaxing. Try to find time to spend doing that thing. I do.
There is a lot of talk about self-care these days. They talk about it in the media, online, and among friends. Self-care can be many things. Among them:
- Rest when your body or mind is tired.
- Time spent with nature, even if that is only sitting in your backyard watching the wind stir the leaves of a tree.
- Bubble baths with a good trashy novel.
- Manicures, facials, etc…
- Hobbies
- Watching football with your friends. Or watching Disney movies with your kids.
- Floating in a pool.
- Exercise
- Eating healthy food. Or Eating comfort food.
- Listening to music
Something on my self-care list is a trip to Starbucks. The other day I went through my local Starbuck’s drive-thru.
“Can I get you a breakfast item today?” a youthful male voice asked through the speaker.
I turned down the radio and said “No thanks. I would like a hot grande mocha with whip.”
There were two cars between me and the window. It took a ridiculously long amount of time before I was able to move forward. Each driver ahead of me seemed to have a lot to say to whoever was behind the window.
Finally, I pulled up. A young man in his 20s leaned out and asked, “Hot grande mocha with whip, right? Do you want anything else?”
“Nope.”
His smile seemed genuine, “Easiest order of the day!”
A minute later he popped back to scan my phone for payment. He handed over my preferred source of caffeine.
I asked, “Have you had a rough day already? It isn’t even 9 AM yet!”
He smiled again. It was a nice smile. “Just really complicated orders this morning. Then, when they get to the window, they remember they wanted to add something. One of the last customers forgot to mention they wanted soy instead of milk, so we had to remake it. People have been really stressed today. Sorry about the delay.”
I assured him it wasn’t a big deal and, before I drove away, made sure to add a tip to the receipt on the phone app. Then I thought about what he said. People were really stressed today. They were stressed in line at Starbucks.
Starbucks is one of my happy places. I like independent coffee shops as well, don’t get me wrong. One of the things that is valuable about Starbucks, however, is that you know what you are getting.
There is an independent coffee spot in my town that doesn’t offer whipped cream. I thought they were kidding. I haven’t been back. What can I say? Lack of whipped cream on my mocha takes it from self-care to stressful.
When I am at home, there are at least five Starbucks within a three-mile radius. I am not including the ones in grocery stores. If I order a grande mocha with whip at any one of them, the taste will be the same.
In a world where expectations often are kept low in order to prevent disappointment, Starbucks has never let me down. Disneyland, either, but that’s a different story.
The Starbucks I chose for the drive-thru that day is the closest to my house. Their drive-thru is generally fast. I can also leave their parking lot and get to the nearby freeway quickly.
At least two Friday mornings a month I meet my best friend at a different Starbucks. It is a mile further down the road. We catch up over caffeinated treats.
My husband is addicted to Wendy’s Frosties so I was very familiar with this building back in the old days. The old days were about four years ago. There was unhappiness in our household when our Wendy’s went out of business.
I don’t remember how long it was before the remodeling work began on the building. Soon, though, the “Starbucks Coming Soon” sign got my attention.
My husband grumbled a bit. There were plenty of Starbucks in the area. He had to drive a few miles for a Wendy’s.
The remodeling job was fantastic. The building is spacious and comfortable. The parking lot is easy to navigate.
The best part, though, is the patio. Such a simple thing, a patio. This patio is nicer than the others in the area.
This patio is why we chose it for catching up. It is my happiest spot in one of my happy places.
For me, I can say the value of my time spent at Starbucks is high. Very high. Time spent grabbing a drink at Starbucks is worth a smile and a happy sigh at the first sip.
Time spent on my favorite Starbucks patio, with my best friend as we sip our drinks and chat is priceless.
What do you do that releases stress? Where is your happy place? The one that demands nothing from you, only gives good vibrations and comfort? Do you spend enough time there?
Do you?
My husband and I have been lucky enough to take a few cruises. We treat cruising as a relaxing way to spend a week or so. I am pretty happy onboard. Very relaxed.
Of course, we can’t cruise every year. We certainly can’t cruise every month. I can’t afford to take my best friend with me on a cruise. Believe me when I say that if I ever win a ton of money in the lottery, that idea is on the table.
What I can do is spend time in my bubble bath nearly every night with my Kindle and bottled water. I can also visit my local Starbucks once or twice a week for a mocha on my way somewhere.
Sure, it seems stupid to spend $5 on a coffee. Well, it seems stupid if I don’t recognize what that cup of goodness is in my life. It is a little cup of comfort.
I believe in the importance of self-care. Decades ago I realized spending time with my close friends was a form of self-care for me. Later, I combined my love of mocha goodness with my love of my friends. I schedule these get-togethers regularly because I know how important they are to my sense of wellbeing.
Wherever your happy place is, whatever relaxes you, prioritize it as self-care. You are worth it. You are.
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