Welcome to Little Indulgences Month on Man Repeller

Remember Polly Pocket? A tiny doll, about the size of a close-cropped pinky nail who lived in a plastic compartment with the square footage of a public pool snack bar hamburger — what a concept. Kids likely loved her because she was tiny enough to shove into any orifice that required a trip to the emergency room. Adults likely hated her because she was tiny enough to step on and cause puncture injuries which required a trip to the emergency room.

Either way, she proved a cliché to be true: home is where the cargo pants are.

She also proved that with the exception of bagels, the best things come in small packages.

Polly Pocket was my first little indulgence. If we’re talking actual stature, then so too were worry dolls — the mini yarn-spun Guatemalan-made therapists that you’d place under your pillow to eliminate bad dreams and other childhood neuroses. If we’re thinking more metaphorically, then I’d also consider leaning backwards on a swing set or getting to eat cake for breakfast as two of my earlier indulgences as well.

As I got older, little indulgences became more about pampering. “Me time.” A cross between Mom-On-a-Cruise moments of really letting my hair down (this also involves cake for breakfast) and the more meditative, quiet treats: a bath, for example. A long walk without a phone. A massage. Letting myself fall asleep in the pedicure chair without feeling guilty or rude.

These things can feel silly. There’s no real point in buying a new nail polish when you already have 15 shades of pink, no actual need for yet another pair of underwear, even if this specific pair is pretty and on sale. But sometimes it’s these little indulgences — whatever your personal ones may be — that kick us out of the daily doldrums and helps fend off that feeling of burn out, that feeling like we’re not taking care of ourselves amid all the other important crap we have to do. They’re emotional stocking stuffers.

Which is why we’ve declare it Little Indulgences Month at Man Repeller. Now add yours in the comments below — whatever it may be! — and get ready to deep dive into a bowl of your favorite batter. Lick the spoon while you’re at it.

Just watch out for Polly. She’s small, but she hurts like a mother…

Photographed by Krista Anna Lewis.

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