Use the Fancy Soap

Remember Zest soap? Or Irish Spring? That smell. Those commercials. "I already use a a deodorant, so I don't need one in my soap." Why is there deodorant in soap? Do you remember the squeaky clean feel on your skin? Dry, alligator skin, but it sure smelled clean.

And then you had your own family. Money was tight, so you saved money where you could. Bought the cheapest soap since your house went through it like it was ice cream. Why are children and husbands so dirty? Hours spent scrubbing them and then scrubbing the soapy film off the bathtub. Off the sinks, Off shower doors. A never-ending cycle.

The first bar of soap I bought when I was staying at my friend's house in "the in-between" was a bar of Pears. One of the cheapest, least pretty soap there is. There's nothing wrong with Pears soap and I was worried about money as usual.

But I noticed something about it - as I moved into renting a room and living on my own, that soap lasted so much longer than any other bar of soap I had ever seen. Weird. Finally, when it was finally gone, I bought "the fancy soap." The kind that smells like flowers, homemade with natural ingredients, so pretty and hand-cut. The soap that costs $5 a bar. Scandalous, I know!

How many times had I saved money buying 3 bars for $5 when he wouldn't think twice about spending $1000's on anything he wanted? How many times did I clean up after everyone else? How many times was I the one to remember to buy soap before it ran out? How many times did I rush through my shower because someone needed me?

This is my time. This is my money. This is me and this is my soap.

I use the fancy soap. Luxurious bubbles on skin that I love to touch. It's softness, just for me. My perfume subtly reminds me that I'm a woman that someone will love someday and even if they don't, I have learned to love me anyway.

The fancy soap, the special edition books, the lemon drop candy, incense sticks, pink sheets, and the new bike are all just a few of the things that I have gifted myself. None of these things are 'needs' or necessities in most people's eyes.

Each of these things are just things, true, but each is given to me with love. Each thing says, "Hey, you know what? You deserve this. You deserve all the things. If I could give you the world, I would. Hopefully, this will be enough until I can give you everything."

I quit waiting for someone else to say and do that for me. I quit thinking that I don't deserve the fancy soap. Five dollar soap that doesn't make my skin itchy. Five dollar soap that smells like summer. Five dollar soap that I don't have to share. Five dollar soap that says, "You're worth every penny."

What are you waiting for? Use the fancy soap. You deserve it...and so much more.

Image by Lori from Pixabay