Buzz
Growing up, even the smallest achievements were celebrated with a family dinner out. It might have been my parents’ way of avoiding cooking, but every time I excelled on a test or anyone in the family achieved something noteworthy, we’d head to a reasonably priced restaurant and label it a celebration.
I wish I could do that now.
For safety reasons, I avoid indoor dining, and I suspect many others are doing the same. Whether you’re avoiding it completely or just trying to reduce risks wherever possible, many activities that once brought us joy now feel less carefree. Concerts, museums, and hosting friends for dinner are no longer the simple pleasures they used to be.
This challenge isn’t limited to major milestones but extends to smaller achievements as well. On the xxfitness subreddit, for instance, users often talk about rewarding themselves with a massage, manicure, or new outfit for reaching fitness goals. Recently, they explored pandemic-friendly rewards, with one popular suggestion being the simple pleasure of purchasing a houseplant.
So, I pose this question to you: how do you reward yourself without increasing your risk of exposure to a dangerous virus? Have you replaced dining out with celebratory picnics? If shopping trips were once your go-to indulgence, do online purchases bring you the same level of satisfaction?
Here’s a personal example I know isn’t unique: Instead of our usual summer road trip, my family recently reserved a cabin at a nearby campground. It’s close enough that we won’t need to stop for gas or groceries, and rather than traveling across the country, we’ll spend our time kayaking on the lake and hiking lesser-known trails. While it’s different from our usual routine, I’m still excited about it. What about you?
