It’s never a bad thing to indulge once in awhile. Taking pleasure in some of the things you enjoy can add years to your life. Whether it’s a long bubble bath, a luxurious spa day, or a decadent chocolate souffle, treating yourself now and again is necessary for your mental health and happiness.
In some cases, your guilty pleasure may actually be a path to your life’s true calling. For instance, if you love indulging in exotic ingredients and cooking up a storm, you could turn your passion into a profession by blogging about food. The ideal win-win situation, right?
But, while it’s OK to strip away the guilt and indulge once in a while, the problem arises with excess. Too much of any guilty pleasure is never a good thing. As with most things in life, balance is the key to living well.
The Right Way to Indulge
A good way to keep your guilty pleasures in check is by pinpointing the significant expenses that crop up in your budget. Take a look at your bank and credit card statements to identify how much of your money you’re spending on these indulgences.
Weed Out Impulsive Buys
Any purchase you feel like making on an impulse is probably not worth gratifying. Restrict your spending to long-term interests and put aside money for things you’ve wanted for a while. Saving up and buying something you’ve been dreaming of is likely to be way more satisfying than splurging on a whim.
Don’t Spiral Out Of Control
Ask yourself if the guilty pleasure is something you can live without. It should never turn into something that you NEED rather than want. These so called pleasures can also have adverse side effects such as a lack of desire to do other things or leave the house. It can be tempting to have too many cocktails or gamble the night away, but these indulgences can be destructive rather than worthwhile.
Keep Your Long-Term Goals in Mind
It’s worth spending money on indulgences that help you get closer to your goals. So if splurging on that advanced pottery class can help you meet your goal of having your own pottery studio one day, then go for it.
Final Thoughts
The problem with over indulgence is that the high eventually wears off. So while it may be easier to go after the next momentary boost of pleasure, it’s a better idea to think before you act. Failing to do so will only result in you going backwards instead of moving towards your goals.
But it’s also important to live life to the fullest and take pleasure in the things you do. So be smart, exercise your willpower and indulge wisely to live a happier, more fulfilled life.
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