Do Something Nice for Yourself Today
Sometimes the best maintenance is a milkshake and loud music
I was dropping my son off at school this morning, and as he was getting out of the car I was thinking about something to say to him. Something to frame his day.
And what came out was: “Do something nice for yourself today.”
I’ll be honest, at first I thought I’d say, “Do something nice for someone else today.” That’s the kind of thing good dads are supposed to say, but this is what came out of my head instead.
As simple as it sounds, I think he needed to hear it. Hell, I think I needed to say it.
You deserve to get that milkshake today. Or that sandwich. Or take an extra long stretch at the gym. Or drive to the beach just to look at it for ten minutes.
Here at Gents Journey we talk a lot about making new friendships and elevating together. And I love that. But I’ve been struggling with something recently.
I’m overworked. Tired. And if I’m honest, as the holidays approach, a bit uninspired.
That’s when you must do something nice for yourself. Not as a reward. Not because you earned it. Just because you’re a human being who needs refueling.
We so often cater to the needs of the ones around us. Our kids. Our partners. Our jobs. Our parents. But who’s taking care of number one?
You are. And in order to really show up for others, you have to take care of your own needs first.
Now we can look at this on a serious level. Nutrition. Sleep. Therapy. Exercise. These are normal adult upkeep. It’s keeping the oil changed and the tires rotated on your vehicle.
But that car also needs to stop for a milkshake. A road trip. Some loud ass music blasting in the breeze.
Sometimes maintenance isn’t just functional. Sometimes it’s joyful.
So that’s what I left my son with today: “Do something nice for yourself.”
And that’s what I’m telling you too, friend.
Write down right now, one thing you can do easily for yourself today to feel happy, more like you, and calm.
Maybe it’s a food item. Maybe it’s a phone call with a brother you’ve been meaning to talk to. Maybe it’s just sitting on the couch with your cat for twenty minutes without checking your phone.
Whatever it is, do it this weekend.
And with that frame of mind going into the weekend, and as we close the year out, I think it’ll get you in the spirit of the holidays. Which is something I always struggle with.
But today? I’m getting a peppermint flavored milkshake and blasting 90s hip-hop on my way to work.
And nobody can stop me.
What’s one thing you’re going to do for yourself this weekend? Drop it below. Let’s normalize taking care of ourselves.
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