I didn’t know where the “treat yo self” trend came from until a few moments ago when I looked it up online and found the origin on knowyourmeme.com. It’s a phrase that originated on the television show "Parks and Recreation." All I knew about it before, was that it was a phrase that everyone used. It’s the excuse people use to justify buying that bra at Victoria's Secret, eating that last piece of cake or calling off work to sleep in. Treat yourself, because you deserve it.

Do you really?

I think you do, but I also think that there is a limit to how much you should “treat yo self.” I know, nobody wants to hear that, so let me talk about why you do deserve it, too.

There is nothing wrong with putting aside some money for yourself to buy things that you enjoy. You work for your money and all of it shouldn’t go to things like bills and food. Some of it should go toward that, of course, most of it actually, but you should be able to enjoy some of the money that you’ve earned. You don’t need to feel guilty for buying that cute shirt or spending a little extra on a quality bra at Victoria's Secret. Just don’t go overboard and buy seven bras, because that isn’t treating yourself, that’s breaking yourself.

Let me tell you this: there is no reason that you shouldn’t eat that last piece of cake. It’s a piece of cake. It’s literally a piece of cake. Eat it. I don’t care what the number on the scale is. What is a piece of cake going to do? If you are feeling guilty for “treating yo self” with another piece of cake, there are ways to “help yo self,” too. You could go for a walk or do some jumping jacks. Take a look at what you ate the rest of the day and maybe eat a banana. You don’t have to give up cake in order to be healthy. There are people who totally take those things out of their diet when they’re trying to be healthier, but I don’t think it’s required. You can splurge every once in a while. There is nothing wrong with having a piece of cake if you want one. Especially, but not limited to, if you do work hard to have a healthy diet. All work and no fun makes a boring life. Take a break from that diet for two seconds and have some dessert. You’re the only one telling yourself that you can’t.

As for calling off work to sleep, I admit, I have done that before. Personally, I think that it should be allowed every once in a while. There is this thing called “overworking yo self” and it’s pretty unhealthy. There are times when a day off is needed. I like to call that a mental health day. Take a day to catch up, destress and feel better. There isn’t anything wrong with that. Taking multiple days like this can take a toll on your bank account, if finances are a concern for you, so make sure you aren’t over treating yourself. Don’t overwork, but don’t over treat. There is a limit, you just have to find yours.

I know that these are not the only ways that people treat themselves, but I think that the concept is about the same for every situation. Yes, you deserve to treat yourself sometimes. No, you don’t need to feel guilty for doing something that you want. Yes, there is a limit and you need to figure out what your limit is before you cross it. Treating yourself is a good thing as long as you’re smart about it. Be smart about it, ladies and gents. Take care of yourself and don’t break yourself in the process of chasing after happiness in the little things.

“Treat yo self” isn’t the only way to make yourself happy. Don’t look at this phrase with the mindset that the only way to make yourself happy is to treat yourself. It’s not true and I think that you know that. Your happiness can be found in so many other places. The material things of treating yourself will only make you happy for a little while. I have said “treat yo self” about so many things, yet I still need to say it again about something else. That’s because treating myself isn’t fulfilling. I don’t even remember half of the things that I’ve treated myself with, because they only made me happy for a little while.

The things that are fulfilling are when your family sits around the table playing games that make them laugh until they cry. It’s when you meet your best friend in college and wonder how you went your entire life without knowing her.

The things that make you happy are the things that don’t cost money or even give you a reason to feel the slightest bit guilty. Cuddling with your cat or playing Candy Land with your niece and letting her win, because you like to see her feel like she can do anything. Staying up late watching chick flicks with your mom and cooking the cheapest frozen pizzas at the store, because they taste like happy memories. Going to a playground at midnight with some of your best friends a couple of days before high school graduation just to swing on the swing set and be nostalgic. Walking through a book store or a library and just enjoying the feeling of being in a room full of different worlds and characters. You can find happiness in so many different places without spending a penny or feeling guilty about doing something for yourself.

It’s OK to “treat yo self” sometimes, as long as you remember where real happiness comes from.