Joie Challenge Day 1: You Can Buy Yourself Flowers

You don’t need to wait for anyone to do something nice for yourself.

Hello darlings! 

Welcome to Day 1 of our 5-day challenge and journey toward finding joy every day. If you signed up late, be sure to go back and check out the Welcome message here. (There are a few instructions and suggestions on how you can share your joys with friends or with me). 

Today, we focus on a concept often overlooked in our busy lives: doing something nice for ourselves. In the hustle and bustle of our daily routines, it’s easy to forget that we deserve to treat ourselves with the same kindness and love we offer others.

Today’s challenge is about reconnecting with yourself by indulging in small acts of self-care that bring you joy. It’s not about grand gestures or extravagant treats (though those are lovely, too!); it’s about the simple, meaningful things that make you feel valued and cherished. Think of today as a reminder that taking care of yourself and doing nice things for yourself is not only okay—it’s essential. It can be a small act and doesn’t have to cost too much money. 

Something I love doing for myself, and my intention for today, is buying myself flowers. I often go to one of my favorite flower shops and immediately smile at the nature, color, and beauty around me. Both of my florists know me quite well now, and I love that feeling when a shopkeeper knows you and greets you with a big smile. They know what I like and are eager to share what’s new with me or send me home with some extra free flowers.  I want to see what’s in season and learn about them even though I don’t have a green thumb at all. Maybe I will ask for a bouquet to be prepared for or I will choose what catches my eyes and then put something together at home. 

When I return home, I often take a zillion photographs of these flowers at home as if they are my muse for the day.  This is something I do when I am feeling down or when I am feeling really good. It’s a solid joy booster for me, and I never wait for my husband or a friend to buy me flowers. 

In this quote, Voltaire, the French writer and poet, emphasizes the importance of caring for oneself and one’s well-being.

Our first challenge: Do something for yourself today that will bring you joy. (Emphasis on yourself)

To help you get started, here are eight suggestions: 

1. Take yourself to a solo date. Take yourself out to breakfast or lunch date at a favorite restaurant or one you have been dying to try. Cook or order your favorite meal and then savor it slowly. Set the table and enjoy every single bite. You can also treat yourself on a date out to a museum or cinema. Enjoy your own company and indulge in something you love.

2. Take a relaxing Bath. Light some candles, add your favorite bath salts, and enjoy a long soak. Let the warm water wash away any stress and leave you feeling rejuvenated.

3. Pamper yourself with spa treatments. Go get a facial, a mani-pedi, or a massage. Take some time to focus on the beautiful skin you were born or give your body some TLC. 

4. Take a nap. Sometimes, the kindest thing you can do for yourself is to rest. Allow yourself a guilt-free nap to recharge your energy.

5. Schedule time to work on your hobby or engage in culture.  Spend some time on a hobby you love, whether it’s reading, painting, knitting, or gardening. Buy yourself tickets for a show or a concert. And if there is nothing on at the moment, take time to research and schedule something in so you have something to look forward to. Let yourself get lost in the joy of creating or doing something you love.

6. Create a personal playlist. Make a playlist of your favorite songs—tunes that lift your spirits, make you dance, or bring you peace. Play it when you need a boost of joy.

7. Buy yourself flowers. This is one of my favs as you know. Don’t wait for someone to brighten your day. Treat yourself to a bouquet of fresh flowers, or pick some wildflowers if that’s more your style. Place them where you can enjoy their beauty throughout the day. 

8. Write a love letter to yourself. Take a few moments to write down what you love about yourself, your accomplishments, and your strengths. Keep it somewhere safe and read it whenever you need a reminder of your worth. 

Take a journal and write down what you plan to do today. Get intentional. Schedule it into your day. Afterward, you can return to your notes if you want to and reflect on how you felt during and after your moment or moments of joy. 

Whatever you choose, make sure you savor the it and celebrate the experience. The point is to do something exclusively for the joy it brings you.

Remember, today is about celebrating yourself and recognizing that you are deserving of joy and kindness just as much as anyone else. 

See you tomorrow for our JOIE challenge #2. 

P.S. Also, as I said in the welcome post, it’s lovely to share our joys with others. Please feel free to share your intentions for today or what you did in the comments, in the Substack chat, in reply to this email, on Instagram, or with an accountability friend or group of friends. This is for YOU, so do what feels best for you.