Kathy Hamilton When was the last time you bought yourself flowers?
The other day, I bought myself a bunch of peonies for the first time. As much as I love them, I’ve never actually allowed myself to buy Instagram’s favourite bloom. But why? Oh, the cost. The frivolity. There’s a host of reasons not to buy yourself flowers. But as I walked past them, I couldn’t resist. I picked up a bunch and, with giddy delight, bought them for myself.
It got me thinking. Why is it so strange to buy yourself flowers? I suppose we usually think of them as a gift. Something to receive on certain ‘special’ days of the year. But when I consider how happy I felt, peonies in hand, I realised they’re the ultimate gift to yourself.
Virginia Woolf knew the power of flowers. ‘Mrs Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself“, she writes in the opening line of her best-known novel. Innocuous enough, perhaps. At least on the surface. But this is Virginia Woolf, so nothing can ever be taken at surface level!
It’s not about the flowers, not really
It is an act of autonomy and a moment of action that spirits Clarissa out into the world with purpose and away from the passivity of her everyday existence. Which, we will learn, is slowly eradicating her sense of self. When Clarissa decided to buy the flowers herself, she took charge of her own life. Powerful stuff! But then, what else would you expect from Virginia Woolf?
Now, I’m not saying that you should buy yourself flowers as a way to assert your autonomy (Or am I?!) But I am saying that, sometimes, when you want something you have to get it for yourself. Why wait to receive flowers when you could get them for yourself?
Why You Should Buy Yourself Flowers
To Cheer Yourself Up:
Maybe you’ve had a bad day? I know we’ve all been having those lately! Or maybe you are just feeling down in the dumps. There’s actually some scientific research that suggests that having fresh flowers in our house can have a positive effect on our mood.
As an act of Self Care:
What better way to show you care than to give someone a bunch of flowers? Now flip the script. You should buy yourself flowers because it’s an act of self care. They’re a gift that you give to yourself simply because they’re beautiful and frivolous.
Because you earned it:
In the immortal words of Destiny’s Child, “I depend on me if I want it”. Honestly! You work hard to earn the money in your account and you deserve to treat yourself. I think flowers are the ultimate symbol of this. Sure you don’t need flowers, but what a difference it makes to treat yourself.
Just because you want some:
With some many purchases that we make there has to be a justification. I need this because xyz or, if I buy this I’ll be more productive because xyz. Flowers have no purpose. They’re not going to make you get up early to go to the gym. They won’t transform you into a health guru. They’re just nice and in turn they make us feel nice. Sometimes that’s all you need.
So, when was the last time you bought yourself flowers?
I hope you realise that the flowers are just a metaphor? When was the last time you gave yourself permission to do things just because you love them? I know that I wrap myself in knots trying to justify not doing things I love because I have a whole host of other ‘more important’ responsibilities waiting for me.
But when I realised that I had never actually bought myself some peonies, even though I loved them, I realised what a shame that was. It felt like something clicked in my brain. Sometimes you should buy yourself flowers, no justification needed.
