Find unexpected places to be alone
I never understood who actually frequented the wine bar near the checkout line at my neighborhood Harris Teeter. But then on a grocery store running without my kids, I stopped for a generous half glass of pinot noir for $3. It was a rare moment for me, and suddenly everything made sense. I had found a mini-retreat nestled between the produce aisle and the seafood counter.
Alone time is rare with two toddlers. There is always a child climbing into bed or following me into the bathroom. So any opportunity for solo time feels like a form of self-care– no mom guilt here. For me, true luxury is a dozen oysters Pearl diving that I don’t have to share. It’s a piña colada on the terrace of Colada Shop without lugging around a diaper bag. This is a table for one person Rakuya where I can order the chirashi bowl that my kids would never eat.
At the very least, it’s Harris Teeter. I heard there is even live jazz on Thursdays.
—Jessica Sidman
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In defense of the culture of “small pleasure”
There are many different perspectives on what constitutes self-care, and the commodification of the concept has become a hot topic. I’m here to defend him – to an extent. First, some ground rules: Purchases made in the name of self-care can’t bust your budget (it’s not worth the stress in the long run), and your treat of choice shouldn’t harm your health overall. Otherwise, I think a little commercialization is okay from time to time. (Um, spas are not free.) Take the humble cup of coffee. A latte made by someone else simply tastes better, and a fulfilling feeling of calm comes from holding a hot beverage in your hands. A little candle? Well, yes, not only are candles fun to buy, but lighting a wick, especially one with a scent you enjoy, can transform dreary moments into serene scenes. A bath bomb? Sign me up. If a spa service is out of the question, adding a spa touch to basic treatments is a gift for the whole body. And on a particularly stressful day, when the “treat” you buy – a grocery delivery or a takeaway meal– saves you energy, it is not only a pleasure but also a time-saver that can offer a sense of relief. And isn’t that something?
–Amy Moeller
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Have a late and very long lunch
A wise person — probably Teddy Roosevelt, maybe a bot spamming inspirational quotes on Instagram — once said that comparison is the thief of joy. And that’s certainly true when that comparison leaves you feeling inadequate. But when does it work in your favor? Yeah man. That’s why I recommend going out early, going to your favorite restaurant, sitting by the window and enjoying a 3 p.m. work day. lunch.
You’ll practically have the place to yourself. You will benefit from fast and attentive service. You will definitely be hungry, so your meal will be very satisfying. Better yet, you’ll have what seems like forever to bask in it, thanks to the pleasure of comparison. Because while everyone else is scrambling to wrap up meetings, meet deadlines, and respond to emails, all in hopes of getting to the point where they can think about happy hour or maybe grab a bite to eat – well, you are already there, without haste and without being disturbed. .
—Patrick Hruby
This article appears in the December 2023 Washingtonian question.
Find unexpected places to be alone
I never understood who actually frequented the wine bar near the checkout line at my neighborhood Harris Teeter. But then on a grocery store running without my kids, I stopped for a generous half glass of pinot noir for $3. It was a rare moment for me, and suddenly everything made sense. I had found a mini-retreat nestled between the produce aisle and the seafood counter.
Alone time is rare with two toddlers. There is always a child climbing into bed or following me into the bathroom. So any opportunity for solo time feels like a form of self-care– no mom guilt here. For me, true luxury is a dozen oysters Pearl diving that I don’t have to share. It’s a piña colada on the terrace of Colada Shop without lugging around a diaper bag. This is a table for one person Rakuya where I can order the chirashi bowl that my kids would never eat.
At the very least, it’s Harris Teeter. I heard there is even live jazz on Thursdays.
—Jessica Sidman
Back to the top
In defense of the culture of “small pleasure”
There are many different perspectives on what constitutes self-care, and the commodification of the concept has become a hot topic. I’m here to defend him – to an extent. First, some ground rules: Purchases made in the name of self-care can’t bust your budget (it’s not worth the stress in the long run), and your treat of choice shouldn’t harm your health overall. Otherwise, I think a little commercialization is okay from time to time. (Um, spas are not free.) Take the humble cup of coffee. A latte made by someone else simply tastes better, and a fulfilling feeling of calm comes from holding a hot beverage in your hands. A little candle? Well, yes, not only are candles fun to buy, but lighting a wick, especially one with a scent you enjoy, can transform dreary moments into serene scenes. A bath bomb? Sign me up. If a spa service is out of the question, adding a spa touch to basic treatments is a gift for the whole body. And on a particularly stressful day, when the “treat” you’re buying – a grocery delivery or a takeaway meal– saves you energy, it is not only a pleasure but also a time-saver that can offer a sense of relief. And isn’t that something?
–Amy Moeller
Back to the top
Have a late and very long lunch
A wise person — probably Teddy Roosevelt, maybe a bot spamming inspirational quotes on Instagram — once said that comparison is the thief of joy. And that’s certainly true when that comparison leaves you feeling inadequate. But when does it work in your favor? Yeah man. That’s why I recommend going out early, going to your favorite restaurant, sitting by the window and enjoying a 3 p.m. work day. lunch.
You’ll practically have the place to yourself. You will benefit from fast and attentive service. You will definitely be hungry, so your meal will be very satisfying. Better yet, you’ll have what seems like forever to bask in it, thanks to the pleasure of comparison. Because while everyone else is scrambling to wrap up meetings, meet deadlines, and respond to emails, all in hopes of getting to the point where they can think about happy hour or maybe grab a bite to eat – well, you are already there, without haste and without being disturbed. .
—Patrick Hruby
This article appears in the December 2023 Washingtonian question.
