My new favorite beauty purchase: massages ✨

A beauty purchase for the inward, not the outward

Two months ago, my doctor suggested getting a massage.

Discussions my therapist about my “mind-body connection” and “somatic therapy” made me realize I wasn’t as in-tune with my body as I used to be. Prior to COVID-19, I had a gym membership where I worked out 5-6 days a week, and attended yoga, pilates, and cycling classes. While I still work out and do yoga on YouTube, I’ve noticed that the connection could be stronger and I wanted to reignite that relationship again.

I’m aware of the benefits of massages but had always pushed them off as frivolous expenses I couldn’t afford. In hindsight, this seems silly as I’ve always found time and money for things that are much less important like makeup and alcohol when I was drinking.

I assumed massages were for rich people with lots of extra money and too much time on their hands. This assessment is wrong because that’s not who massages are for, but correct, as I do believe massages are for the rich: rich in spirit, connection, and self-care. Those things don’t have to be frivolous.

So I booked the massage and now I go twice a month. After finding my new love for massages, here’s some things I’ve learned that I hope convince you to book one for yourself.

Massages are like any other beauty purchase

I go to a Hand & Stone and get a monthly massage for around ~$100 with gratuity. Yes, it’s a franchise, so it may be a bit cheaper than a private practice, but it’s what accessible to me as someone with no car. In price, booking a massage once or twice a month isn’t much different than an appointment at the nail salon, with a lash tech, or a trip to Sephora. No, a massage can’t be perceived by others and you won’t usually receive compliments (unless you’re really glowing) but that’s what makes them so special. They’re for you and only you.

The benefits are endless

Better than most beauty purchases I make, massages are somewhere between a gym and filler. That’s what I tell myself anyway! You’re doing work that drains your lymphs, reconnects you with your body, moves around fluid, targets sore muscles, and helps you relax and revitalize yourself, which keeps you looking younger.

Fridays appointments are the way to go

Schedule your massage on days that work for you, but I’ve found that Fridays are the best. I schedule mine at 4 or 4:30 pm so they encourage me to wrap up work early. They’re something to look forward to after a long work week and when I come home from a massage on a Friday, I’m ready to read, nap, clean my house, cook dinner, and spend time doing things that I often avoid throughout the week.

Why you should spend your money on inward purchases

So often we’re forced to make outward purchases, or expenses for approval or good standing. I could write a book on things we feel forced to buy that we don’t actually need.

Yes, we can make a case for why we want those things, but if there were no societal pressures to be and look and live a certain way, I imagine most of us would opt to live on a beach somewhere with no makeup, eating mangoes, wearing bathing suits and comfy clothes (maybe I’m projecting).

Living in a world where we’re pushed to make purchases that leave us feeling empty has pulled our attention away from spending money on things that actually make us feel good like groceries, trips with people we love, and yes, massages.

In a world where things feel like they’re holding on by a thread, this is your sign to spend your hard-earned coins on something just for you, like a massage.