On October 13, 2011, the world was forever changed. For on this day, “Parks and Recreation” aired an episode that inspired a movement: Treat Yo'Self Day. On this day, Tom Haverford and Donna Meagle (and a less than enthusiastic Ben Wyatt) spend their day treating themselves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP3xf6BFEIo
The official guidelines to treat yo'self are as follows:
Set the rules.
There are no rules. Actually, there is a rule: don’t follow the rules. See… before you even realize it, you’re already treating yo self.
Spend that ca$h.
Set an upper limit of how much you will spend today. Then realize that money is your lower limit. It’s called Treat Yo Self for a reason.
Follow yo' gut.
When in doubt, remember FYG: follow yo' gut. Because yo' gut is yo'self.
The three Ss.
Pamper yourself up good! Be sure to hit the three Ss: spa, shopping and sugar. That’s right -- if you’re not treating yo'self to a parade of nonstop desserts, you better rethink everything.
Over the years, the phrase, and the idea of treating yourself, has become a popular meme while also a cultural phenomenon. Personally, I am a big fan of the idea. “Treat yo self” is my Instagram bio and for Christmas, a friend gave me a pillow with the phrase on it as a gift. Retta, who played Donna Meagle, recently admitted she hears “Treat Yo Self” at least 10 times a day.
So what makes the idea so popular? While it’s funny to watch Tom and Donna run around spending money on glamorous things, I think more people can relate to Ben’s situation. When he finally does something for himself, something that makes him happy, he becomes overcome with emotion. Life is hard; oftentimes we spend our days moving from task to task without really taking time for ourselves. We tell ourselves that we’ll just do it later, or feel that self-indulgence is selfish. But in my opinion, a little self-indulgence every now and then for the sake of mental health is not selfish.
Treating yourself does not have to mean buying expensive things that you don’t need. Nor does it have to be one big blowout day. Instead, it can be little moments, or little rewards to make life a little easier. It can be taking a walk outside on a nice day, or sitting down to listen to your favorite music. It can be ordering extra dessert or taking a nap at the end of a long week.
Treating yourself can be anything that makes you happy, and at the end of the day your happiness is what matters the most.So, my advice to everyone is to remember that every now and again, it's perfectly OK.
