palomas at home
I recently read a small but impactful encouragement to not always save things for special occasions. It’s more fun to use things more frequently, and using something “special” can make any occasion feel more elevated. Many people reach old age only having used their wedding china twice, for example - that’s a huge cost per use! But imagine if they had just enjoyed using it for family dinner most nights - their kids would have fond memories of the fancy dinnerware and eating together. People deprive themselves while waiting for…what, exactly?
I realized I do have a tendency to hoard special possessions, saving them for an ideal moment that may or may not come. Usually this comes from the price tag of an item. The more expensive it is, the less frequently I want to use it, as though that somehow preserves its value. Obviously, that’s unrealistic.
Last Saturday, I was home alone, and scheduled to work all day (bummer.) The sunlight pouring through my skylight beckoned, but I couldn’t answer. I wanted the day to feel summery and fun even though I was trapped inside. I’d been waiting for a night with a friend to share cocktails in my fancy new coupe glasses, but with nothing on the books and no free evenings on the horizon, I thought, why not? I then needed to decide on a drink to make in said glasses. I’d bought nice tequila and a fun looking grapefruit soda a while back with the intent of having guests and a summer party to use it at…but again, that hasn’t happened and as the summer slips away filled with other activities, I reached for the bottles and thought - I’m just going to enjoy this today.
I googled a quick Paloma recipe (swapping the grapefruit tonic water for actual grapefruit juice + club soda) and whipped myself up a cocktail in under a minute. Who knows if you are supposed to put a paloma in a coupe glass? Who cares?
I had a beautiful afternoon sipping my pink drink, feeling fancy, and refreshed as I worked. Maybe this is what good self care feels like. There’s different ways to take care of yourself of course, and maybe for some that doesn’t involve alcohol. But for me last Saturday, spoiling myself with the treats I’d bought with hard earned money was an amazing feeling.
