Normally, I’m an intensely loyal person but lately, I’ve been… straying. I decided to indulge in something I’d been curious about for a while.

I’m not sure exactly why, but I guess it was after I saw a friend was doing it- my curiosity got the better of me. I couldn’t help but think about it. They do say variety is the spice of life but I’d resolutely ignored that in this area. As I said, I’m normally super loyal. So when I first thought about it,  it seemed wrong and somehow excessive. Does anyone need that much excitement and diversion in their life? I wondered how my friend even found the time.

Well, now I know. You can squeeze that little bit of something extra into your life if you really want to. With a little planning, you can schedule yourself a bubble bath that becomes a multi-sensory experience, for example. You have to be careful, of course, but you can make it happen.

In the kitchen is another opportunity. If you’re doing some mindless stirring or perhaps cleaning out a cupboard, there’s no reason you can set yourself up a little something to entertain you at the same time. 

I know women are often praised for their multi-tasking abilities but I think anyone could manage this. With modern technology, so much is possible, right? You just have to be willing to work on it.

Position is everything, of course. So if you need to clean out a low cupboard, you’ll likely be on all fours, staring into your shelves. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out how to make it work from there. Outdoors is much trickier but if you have a shady spot that needs weeding, you could totally get the action happening if you wanted to. Sometimes you’re part-way through something when you remember that you have, say, a rental inspection next week. Why hold yourself back from a bit of enjoyment when you can get your home pristine at the same time?

You can just do it the old-fashioned way on the couch, of course- but why not get productive by folding some washing at the same time? Or standing up at the ironing board?

You don’t have to be constrained by housework, either. No reason you can’t indulge in a bit of self-care while you indulge in a bit of fun, right? Painted toes or a home facial? Lifting weights or doing stretches? The possibilities are endless.Don’t feel like you have to do something at the same time, though. You don’t have to justify what you’re doing by combining it with a task. There’s nothing wrong with just kicking back and enjoying yourself. I’m just pointing out that it can be a useful diversion to help you get things done, if you’re anything like me and need a bit of enjoyment as a motivator!
You do have to be cautious, though. Your new-found lifestyle choice shouldn’t hurt anyone. In my case, it was senseless loyalty that was holding me back. Once I’d realised I didn’t owe that loyalty to anyone, I felt so free! If you do decide to head along the same path, you simply have to use a little common sense to make sure no one gets hurt by your actions. For example, don’t indulge while driving. Common sense, right? Yet I’m sure someone has considered it, even tried it, somewhere along the line. Don’t risk hurting yourself or anyone else. If you feel like you can’t help it, that you must, no matter where you are, you may have a serious problem and should seek professional help.

This is meant to be a simple pleasure. A small streak of hedonism in an otherwise regular existence. It’s not meant to cause damage. Some people will think what you’re doing is excessive. I know; I used to be that person. But then I realised that I could use some more harmless diversion in my life. So, I took the necessary steps to make it happen. Just be aware, some will judge you for it. My guess, based on how I felt before, is that their judgement will be rooted in envy and a curiosity they don’t want to admit to. I don’t know why; people are strange that way. Puritanical self-denial is still a virtue according to some.

There’s no point trying to keep it all to yourself, either. Your partner will probably see the app on your phone or iPad and then you’ll have to explain, anyway. If you’re upfront about it, they get to reap the benefits as well. There’s plenty of opportunity to get stuck into it together. It doesn’t have to all be about entertainment. It’s possible to actually get an education this way, giving you more to talk about. Or you might find that there are certain things you both like, that you can explore together and talk about later. Done right, this can be a good thing for your relationship!

If you don’t believe me, try it out for yourself. Both Netflix and Stan offer a free first month’s trial. We’ve had Netflix for ages but inviting Stan to the party has really livened things up! I’m not going to say that one is better than the other- they’re different. Stan has a lot to offer that Netflix doesn’t, and vice versa. I’ve noticed a few movies are on both but overall, there are many different movies and television shows to pick from, loads of documentaries and plenty of content for kids. 

So don’t feel bad. Your Netflix doesn’t have to know about your Stan. When you sign up for Stan, there’s nothing on the form about Netflix. No one gets hurt!
This is not a sponsored post, just a bit of fluff written by someone who has been watching far too much television lately! 

#FYBF @ With Some Grace.