We so often want everything we do to have so much more redeeming value. It has to help us lose a pound or get a job. But doing things that are just kind to ourselves, that place a premium on our worth, actually have a pretty significant positive impact on our sense of well-being. 
Years ago, I was planning an important project with a colleague. We often met in her office, where she always had a vase of fresh flowers in her office. I assumed they were from her husband, but one week I mentioned them, and she said she bought them for herself every week.
Yep, that’s right. Every single Sunday, while she was grocery shopping, she picked up a bouquet of flowers for her desk at work- the place where she spent the most time- because she liked flowers and liked herself and felt like SHE was fully capable of giving herself joy. She loved flowers and while her husband is one of the sweetest men I know, she wasn’t going to wait around for him to give him to her. Moreover, she wasn’t going to relegate something she so enjoyed to just special occasion status. In her world, every day was a special occasion and her joy was not fleeting. Why not just give yourself joy every day? Why not indeed. Buying yourself flowers is such a simple act of self-love and an easy way to bring beauty into your daily life.
I now have a vase made by a NC potter that is my flower vase and every time I am particularly struck by a delightful bouquet whether it is at the grocery store or the farmer’s market, I buy myself flowers. I also love the metaphor- no two flowers are exactly alike, but they are each uniquely beautiful, just like people.
Today: Go buy (or pick) yourself some flowers that make you smile and put them somewhere that will catch your eye often. If anyone asks you who gave you the flowers, don’t hesitate to share that you bought them for yourself. Honoring ourselves- and letting others know it is okay to 
honor themselves- is powerful self-acceptance!
1. What kind of flowers did you get and where did you place them?
2. How did it feel to buy flowers for yourself?
3. How did the flowers make you feel?
4. Can you see yourself doing this again?
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Unfortunately, I have a furry flower eater in my home so I rarely buy them. If I do, it becomes a game of “how do I hide the flowers so that cat can’t eat them”?
I do surround myself with flowers in another way though–through my photography. I would say there is at least one large flower photo (if not more) hanging in every room of my house.
I feel guilty just being honest it’s a waste of money I will look for something else I can do for myself that I don’t have to feel so guilty about. Ok I like the picture idea I got that will hang it now!
Faith, I appreciate your honesty, but I do think your feelings of guilt are worth exploring. It is a waste of money because flowers die (and can you not pick because there are none viable for picking near you)? Is it a waste of money because they are for you (i.e.: are you willing to give someone else flowers)? I think taking, hanging pictures of flowers can be a great expression and not every day is necessarily easy/ comfortable/ doable for everyone but I do hope you’ll explore more about what that feeling of guilt is about because it can give you a lot of information! Shine on!
I totally agree will try to dig deeper I think it’s been drilled into me as a child to not waste a cent on anything honestly. So spending money on me has always been a no no. I will dig deeper maybe your book would help?
Since I don’t have access to any “real” flowers today. I love the idea of a photo. So . . . I’ve changed my computer wallpaper to a beautiful flower photo I took a couple of weeks ago! Thanks for these wonderful reminders. I am enjoying this immensely.
My sister buys herself roses every week! She puts them in the kitchen and they always look beautiful. Never thought to ask get why she does it… Guess she already knows how to treat herself “right”! I love the idea… But may wait until our weather changes… For now my flowers outside suffice! But appreciated myself… That’s a great goal!
I was out all day, and my programme didn’t finish until the flower shops were closed. But I will buy myself some flowers tomorrow. What a great idea, I never get flowers (mr S and I just aren’t like that) but I do love flowers, so I will choose some that I like.
I tidied up my desk today, and bought the jolliest flowers I could find!
I’ve bought myself flowers before (I, too, will not wait for the mister to do it… lol), but hadn’t thought of taking them to work – what an awesome way to brighten up my workspace!
I’d probably go with gerber daisies because they last so long. 🙂
I have bought myself flowers just for me in the past, but it has been awhile and it’s something I need to get back too. I also love planting flowers in and around my garden so when I need that feeling a single flower can provide I go cut one “just because” “just for me!
Thanks for the reminder : )
Flowers are such a simple way of brightening up my house and lifting my mood and are one thing that I generally don’t feel guilty at for buying. Living in a city centre flat, I love the fresh natural scent of lilies or fresia when I walk into my living room where they sit brightly in a huge jug on my dining room table.
They always manage to raise a smile from me even on a bleak day.
A beautiful rose from my garden, from deep red to yellow shades, and such a scent! Mmmh… I put it on my kitchen table, so that I can enjoy it many times a day!