Mental Health Banks

Anonymous

August 26,2019 at 8:12PM UTC

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My wife and I have decided to stop investing in thoughtless spending until we have filled our mental health banks up. What I mean by that, is that we are going to no longer eat out as often so that we can focus on getting pedicures once a month. Small and simple things.

What are some things that my wife and I should consider? We've thought about a biweekly cleaning service, monthly movie nights, cooking together more often, and focusing on being each other's best friend.

I'm curious for the communities thoughts so please don't hesitate to share!

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AnonymousAugust 26,2019 at 8:23PM UTC
Outsource your grocery shopping if you can! It gives you more time to spend doing things you love or simply relaxing instead of the grind of chores.
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AnonymousAugust 26,2019 at 8:30PM UTC
I love that. Do you have a favorite outsource? I have friends that work for instacart, but I have heard great things about amazon and others. Let me know!
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AnonymousAugust 26,2019 at 8:35PM UTC
I've used both -- instacart and Amazon. When I lived in a smaller city, Instacart was amazing, but once I moved to NYC, not so grat. Amazon has been fantastic though since I've been in the city, and you can order from Whole Foods!
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WellMeAugust 28,2019 at 12:48PM UTC
Great idea!
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Krista Haugner Sieg, MBAAugust 26,2019 at 8:47PM UTC
One thing I've often thought about is housekeeping help to do the deep cleaning stuff that so often gets put off because I am just not one of those people who loves to take apart every light fixture to make sure that everything looks clean (but the less than clean look still drives me crazy). As you think about what you can outsource, ask yourself, what is your "deep cleaning the light fixtures" procrastination piece that drives you crazy but there are never enough hours in the day for? :)
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AnonymousAugust 26,2019 at 9:23PM UTC
When my wife and I had our first cleaning service come last week, we both almost cried when it was all said and done. That was actually the catalyst that made us sit down and think, hold up; if this makes us this much happier.....what else are we missing?
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Krista Haugner Sieg, MBAAugust 26,2019 at 9:32PM UTC
I love that story! With our second child on the way, I know my husband and I need to set aside some time to ask ourselves this question too. What are those mental health things that we should really gift to ourselves so we can be more present for each other and our family?
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AnonymousAugust 27,2019 at 12:46AM UTC
Always, always get away with each other when you can. You will be amazed how fresh & empowered you feel when returning
And the kids will be glad to see you to!
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WellMeAugust 27,2019 at 4:17PM UTC
I love that our housekeeper changes the sheets for us. It's the one house chore I really dislike. :)
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AnonymousAugust 28,2019 at 3:37PM UTC
I don't know that I dislike that chore, but I certainly can never get it right. Certainly glad that ours did it for us this past week. I think the game changer for me was the cleaning of the windows / blinds. I suck at that and certainly don't have patience for either.
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WellMeAugust 29,2019 at 3:33PM UTC
Haha, trying to change the duvet cover drives me crazy. Windows/blinds is a good one, another one that I'd rather outsource. :)
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AnonymousAugust 30,2019 at 7:31PM UTC
Windows and blinds TOTALLY Retweet on that!
I refuse to purchase a duvet due to hearing horror stories. haha
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WellMeSeptember 2,2019 at 1:57PM UTC
?
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AnonymousSeptember 3,2019 at 1:00PM UTC
I've just heard the horror stories of trying to put one on, clean it, etc.
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WellMeSeptember 4,2019 at 4:22PM UTC
Oops! Didn't mean to type "?" lol. You've heard right! Duvets are not fun to cover or clean.
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Ashley K. StoyanovAugust 27,2019 at 6:46PM UTC
Following this because hubby and I could certainly use some ideas too. Day trips are always nice!
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AnonymousAugust 28,2019 at 3:36PM UTC
That's such a great idea too, Ashley! Has there been a place that you and the hubby have visited that you loved visiting?
We're really close to a lot of hiking in Nashville, so when we get out; we usually bring the two pups and enjoy some nature.
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Melynda M.August 28,2019 at 8:07PM UTC
This is sweet! My guy and I try to do a "creative/work night" once a month: it's a bit of a treat because we usually go out to a coffee shop or brewery, and then we break out the laptops and help each other with whatever is on our plate. We've spent the time outlining stories we wanted to tell together, giving feedback on our individually commissioned essays and articles, and helping one another hone proposals and bids. We generally stay out of one another's work in order to keep our time together special, but it is really great to collaborate and encourage one another. It's taken an ordinary date night/dinner at home and turned it into a great encourager and motivator that leaves us feeling connected and encouraged. Maybe you could switch the going-out for staying-in: make a pot of special tea or mix fancy cocktails to set an out-of-the-ordinary mood before taking time to creatively connect.
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AnonymousAugust 30,2019 at 7:31PM UTC
LOVE your story and love your suggestions. We're going to a minor league baseball game tonight so she can make fun of my love for baseball. :)
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Jill L. FergusonAugust 28,2019 at 10:52PM UTC
Like others have said, my husband and I have a housekeeper; a gardener service to take care of the routine things like lawn mowing, leaf and pine needle blowing, sprinkler maintenance, while we tend to our fruits and veggie garden boxes; and we use Amazon and Whole Foods delivery for groceries often and maybe only run to a Trader Joe's, Grocery Outlet, or the farmer's markets once a month or every six weeks. We focus our time together on doing things we enjoy, such as hiking, traveling, walking the dog and taking him out to local restaurants with us on weekends, visiting with friends, and attending live performances (music, dance, theatre) and similar activities.
I'm also a believer in getting a monthly massage and seeing my esthetician monthly too, as these simple things keep me feeling and looking my best.
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AnonymousAugust 30,2019 at 7:34PM UTC
True story, I have never had a massage. I hear that this is one of the wonders of the world that I must try. I always think about it and never follow through.
I need to pull the trigger on that.
I like the gardening idea too! I use lawn care as a form of accomplishment. Starting with something gross and trimming / perfecting it gives me joy. If my wife was the one doing it though, she'd for sure outsource as she is not a fan of any form of lawn work. We also have mosquitos pretty bad where we live, so I understand her reservations.
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