Intentional Indulgences For MAY

I started a tradition a while ago and it's called our intentional indulgences for each month of the year. And it's really dear to my heart because it's one of those things I really think is super important to be able to remind ourselves that we have to take a priority place in our own lives. So this month, intentional indulgences are all about awakening your senses. April and May are the gentle nudge out of winter, where the world starts to soften and brighten and come back to life. And you know what? I think we do that too. So your invitation this month is simple. Step outside and fully experience your life again. Open the windows, buy the flowers, take the long way home, and sit in the sunshine just a little bit longer than you normally would. So here are a few intentional indulgences for the month of May.

Number one, go to a local market or one of your favorite flower shops and buy yourself some flowers. Just because. Not for any special occasion, although Mother's Day is around the corner. But instead of that, buy the flowers because you are the only occasion that you need. I love to buy myself a little bouquet of Gerber daisies. And sometimes if you don't have a whole lot of money to indulge for this, you can put one little daisy
in a small little vase and put one in every room of your house.  I sometimes will do that in my bathroom, by my kitchen sink, over by my bed. And it just brightens up my space and I just love it.

Number two, create a slow morning or evening ritual outside. Maybe it's gonna be coffee on your deck, maybe it's a glass of wine in the garden, or even ten minutes just watching the sky change at the end of the evening. Give yourself just ten to fifteen minutes to be present in your own outdoor environment. I know for me, my outdoor environment is a huge part of where I spend my time in the summer. And it was really interesting. This weekend, I was sitting outside on my deck with my journal and a new book that I just bought. And I realized I don't sit outside just for no good reason very often. So I'm trying to remind myself to do that and have a cup of coffee in the sun in the morning because this time of year when you're outside, there's always something to plant, there's always something to water, there's always something to mow, there's always something to clean up and where we forget to just sit and be in our space. So I love to challenge you to do that this week.

Number three is plan one small outdoor gathering, nothing fancy, just a group of friends with the people that you love for connection and laughter and fresh air. Maybe it's a barbecue or maybe it's just sitting out and having a fire. Maybe it's on the beach, maybe it's in your backyard, maybe it's a picnic in the park, just something that brings you close with the people that you love and reminds you of the connection that we have with one another.
Because intentional indulgences are not just about spring, it's about remembering that we are allowed to feel good. We're allowed to slow down, and we're allowed to enjoy our life today, not someday. So when I was sitting out on my deck and I was reading, this book is um by Mark Nepo. It's called The Book of Awakening. And each day there's a sp separate entry. So you just pick whatever day you're on, and it has a little thought for the day, and I love it. I've just started reading it, but I'm gonna read you what I opened for today, and it really gave me a pause and helped me to remember that I need to slow down too. So this one's called Filling the Day. I wake clear and rested, light flooding my room. The day seems endless and free. But making coffee, I notice three bills I haven't paid, and after showering, I notice I need a haircut, and since I'll be out that way, I
think I might as well pick up my shirts. But I so want to spend time in the sun. So I think, well, after these errands, I'll go to the park. And then I deliberate which park will be just right and decide on one 40 minutes away. Finally, wanting to make sure there is some fun in all of this, I call a friend and I plan to meet her at a movie at six. Now, I have to hurry along to make sure I can get everywhere on time. But thankfully, while gassing up, I hear a small bird and they lift my head just as a cloud opens, and the light floods my mind. And I drop all my plans like change on the ground. I laugh at myself. I can so easily become a slave to
a schedule I create. Not one of these things is necessary today. I drop everything and I follow the bird. Isn't that beautiful? It's just such a great reminder of how we can busy up our days for no good reason just because we can. And sometimes it's really great to do nothing at all.