I make my day a little more special by peppering it with these luxuries. They make me feel very indulged, and are totally worth it in my book (titled How to Pamper Yourself All the Time and Justify It in the Name of Self-Improvement).
- Morning cuppa: For me nothing beats a good, aromatic cup of coffee at the start of the day. I get mine from the Orange County plantation in Coorg whose environmentally-friendly philosophy I really admire.
- New podcasts to hear while driving: I eagerly wait for new podcasts from my favourite shows because they change my drive time and somehow make me feel smarter and more in-the-know. Anything to develop these facets of my brain, she said.
- Perfume: The woodsy, citrusy perfume Escale à Pondichéry makes me feel like I’m on a holiday. Could one ask for more from a perfume?
- The perfect everyday lipstick: I finally found the right shade for me. A small step towards my dream of looking like the girls I saw cycling to work in Amsterdam/all over Europe - immaculately made up but very natural. Seriously, how do they do it?
- Ordering an eagerly anticipated book online: Nothing to beat finding/ordering a book you’ve been looking forward to for ages - in my case right now it's Wild by Cheryl Strayed.
- Soaking my feet in warm water at the end of the day: Sooo good for tired feet.
- Pine-scented soy candles: I love the candles made by Niana; they spread their fragrance lightly through the room and are most relaxing. Home spa, if you will.
- Random email/text chats with my BFFs: Life updates, gossip and randomness in short sentences is guaranteed to brighten the day.
- Balsamic vinegar and freshly cut mango: Balsamic + any sweet fruit + salt is a match made in heaven. You have to try this.
- Fancy skincare products: Judge me if you will, but I have a weakness for all things skincare. I guess I'm a believer. They make my day (ahem, while preparing me for the onslaught of age and pollution of course). Thank you, Visionnaire!
What are your little indulgences through the day? I'm sure everyone has some? I can't be the only one with a neon sign over my head . . .
My beloved aunt always tells me that no matter what car she drives, her ‘soul car’ will always be her old Zen. I never fully understood what she meant till I drove my present car for a few years.
We've been together for almost five years now, and I'm completely in love with my car. I feel cocooned and safe whenever I sit in it. The seat feels like a hug, my legs reach the clutch and brake at the most comfortable angle, the AC cools to a temperature that suits me, the music system plays just how I like it and it cruises along most responsively. Even the horn is to my liking - not too loud and not too soft but enough to send a cyclist scurrying out of my way. My car knows what to do to make my drive better.
Imagine then, my remorse when someone drives her badly (it’s definitely a ‘her’), or if she gets a scratch, or worse, a dent. My heart breaks. Forget fighting with whoever damaged her, I’m just feeling awful that she’s in pain. I even apologize when hitting speed-bumps. No one is allowed to eat or drink when seated lest her cream-coloured seats get stained - I see how this could also be because I'm a neat freak, but anyway . . .
I think cars respond to their drivers, and as completely unscientific as it sounds, they understand when someone cares for them. How else do you explain cars with everything in perfect working condition refusing to start for a stranger (who happens to be a rash driver)? Or an old car that goes the extra mile without any petrol? It’s not magic and it has happened.
I’ve not always felt this strongly about my cars. In fact, I have never felt like this about a car. If I sound crazy, maybe you just haven’t found your soul car yet? When you do finally drive it, you’ll just know, and perhaps my inane ramblings will make sense.
