When emotions of sadness descend, the automatic response is to uplift them.

 

Self-care results in happiness, but when does it become too much?

 

“Do more of what makes you happy” is an inspirational quote making Etsy sellers a lot of money. Printed in calligraphic font on glossy A3 posters, embossed on to hand-made ceramic mugs and carved into quirky enamel pins to personalise denim jackets; this message makes a mug of builder’s brew a symbol of encouragement.

 

Walking or painting could be the activity to get endorphins pumping.

 

But, what if it’s gorging on cake or splurging on shoes that sparks happiness in an individual? Surely there’s a point when self-indulgence becomes selfishness?
Beauty obsessed Dede Lever has a passion for powders and palettes.

 

If her total spending of £30,000 doesn’t prove her devotion to makeup, her emotional pleasure in purchasing will: “makeup releases endorphins in my brain. I truly believe it does. I spend a lot of money, but it makes me happy.”

 

Dede compares her hysteria when receiving a delivery of just-released products to a child on Christmas day.

 

Reluctantly, she does confess: “I’m not against anything that makes you feel better, but there is such a thing as too much.”
Self-confidence coach, Jo Emerson agrees. Influencing “self-esteem is all about balance. If someone has confidence issues, [Jo] will always start with what’s going on for them on the inside”.

 

She believes addressing the internal issue is more effective than buying or splurging to self-indulge.
Concentrating on the root of an emotion has more value than buying materials to mask it.

 

So maybe one slice of cake is fine, but instead of eating slice two and three, a mindful walk could be a healthier way to indulgence.