This International Women’s Day, gift a day to yourself. Take a break from everything, turn off the worry buttons and let those shoulders feel free of responsibilities while you straighten those frown lines. Today and every day your mantra might be, “You got this!” but you should take a chill day too. So this Women’s Day, plan a day all for yourself, all by yourself and do everything that brings you joy. To help you a little, here’s a plan…
Kickstart the day with a solo drive and your favourite breakfast
Begin the day by taking a moment to stand beside the window, breathe in the low-on-pollution morning air and state your list of daily affirmations, perhaps beginning with “I am enough”. Slip into your comfiest clothes, take your go-to bag and the car keys and set off on a solo long drive. With windows rolled down and your favourite long-drive playlist (may we suggest Chandrabindoo-classic Mon and Anupam Roy?), the mood is already set.
Driving around the city early in the day is sure to bring you welcome surprises in traffic-free lanes — the first batch of tea steaming at a tea stall, a glimpse of the feisty red hues of the palash trees, fresh flowers in a shop and more little nothings that you might pass by on a regular day.
Make a stop at Flurys or Trincas, Raj Spanish Cafe or any favourite breakfast joint of yours and treat yourself with a queen-size brekkie and be the first to wish yourself a Happy Women’s Day.
Let’s get some retail therapy
Breakfast done right, head on to the flower shop you saw nearby and buy yourself a bouquet because everyone deserves just-like-that flowers once in a while. Spend some time window shopping and maybe buying a few things that have been tucked away in wishlists or saved for later. It can be those scented candles, a lamp that you wished was by your bedside table, a dress that had your heart but judgy frowns of people who don’t matter made you put it away. Get the books you have been meaning to read and the journals you really wanted to scribble on. Gift yourself a self-care package, even if it is things you will read, wear and use just for the day.
Self care is the best care
Meetings, deadlines, impending tax season, household chores, checking on the folks and fam and worrying about their well being can all take a toll, so unwind and get de-stressed. Book yourself an appointment or take some time out at home to get in some pampering self care. A new hair style or hair colour, a spring-special nail art, a spa, or some great home remedies and sipping some wine in the bathtub with a book — do as you wish, you deserve it.
A cosy lunch for one
It can be the regular comforting dalia khichdi, your favourite pizza or a bowl of ramen, eat what your heart wants for lunch and savour your own company. The magic of dining with yourself if you’re free to experiment and order the most bizarre combination you always wanted to try. Head to a restaurant or relax in front of the TV, dig in, and catch a snooze.
Setting the mood for a fun evening
A nice nap later, it’s time for some cha and taa as you set the mood for the evening ahead. The evening is young and it’s party time so turn the mood lights on. Shimmy into something nice and get ready for your evening date with your most favourite person in the whole wide world — you. Your best dress could also be your comfiest pyjamas, it’s time to break free.
What’s a party without some cocktails? Whether you’re staying in or heading out, cocktails are for all time. Here’s a quick recipe for a good ol’ G&T. Cheers!
Ingredients (Per glass)
- Gin: 30ml (Or as per choice)
- Tonic: 60ml (Or as per choice)
- Lemon wedges: 2 (Or to taste)
- Ice cubes
Recipe
- Pour ice cubes, gin and tonic (in this order) in a glass and give a light stir
- Drop the lemon wedges in the glass and enjoy
A soul-food dinner just for you
If staying in is the place, and you’re not in the mood to order in, why not make yourself something quick and easy (and cheesy)? Put on your dance beats, take your cocktail with you and make some dinner for your solo date. A fancy but easy recipe like stuffed chicken in cream cheese and a candlelit dinner with soft music playing in the background is a #vibe! Here’s a quick recipe for a delish one-pan dish…
Ingredients
- Boneless chicken thigh: 2 pieces
- Bacon: 2 strips
- Salami: 2 pieces
- Cheese slices: 2
- Garlic and ginger paste: 2 tablespoons
- Crushed black pepper powder: 2 teaspoons
- Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
- Cream cheese: 5-6 tablespoons
- Salt
- Butter: 2-3 tablespoons
Recipe
- Marinate the chicken thigh pieces in ginger and garlic paste, salt, lemon juice and 1 teaspoon black pepper powder and keep aside for 10 minutes
- Now slice through the chicken thigh halfway to create a pocket. Place the bacon, salami and cheese slices in the pocket and press lightly once done
- Add butter on a non-stick pan and heat well. Turn the flame low and carefully place the chicken on the pan
- Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side and check with a toothpick if the chicken is near ready
- Once the chicken is almost cooked, slide them towards the corner of the pan and pour the cream cheese at the centre
- Add black pepper powder and mix well
- Bring the chicken to the centre of the pan and with the help of a spoon, pour the cream cheese sauce over the cooked chicken
- Cook for 2-3 minutes and serve piping hot
Don’t forget to pour yourself another glass of the cocktail. Cheers and bon appetit!
Movie time with some special ice cream
Before you call it a day and mid-week blues start to crawl on the mindspace, it’s movie time. Enjoy your dinner with your go-to rom-com or a classic must-watch or a new thriller you’ve been waiting to see. When you take a break, make yourself some special post-dinner ice cream sundae to end the day on a sweet, indulgent note.
Ingredients
- Vanilla ice cream: 2 scoops
- Chocolate cake: 1 slice
- Oreo biscuits: 4 pieces
- Sliced strawberries: 6
- Sprinkles: 1 tablespoon
Recipe
- Add a thin layer of sliced strawberries to a big bowl
- Put the first scoop of ice cream in the bowl along with Oreo biscuits
- Now put the cake and top it off with the second scoop of ice cream
- Add the sprinkles and the leftover strawberries and your bowl of everything nice is ready
Women’s Day is all 365 days of the year, but take a day for yourself on March 8. Think of it like having a special day to celebrate you, like a birthday. One day might not be enough to get you through the year that will probably be filled with stereotypes and stigmas, but it’s a start. Adulting, and adulting as a woman, can be hard so the fact that you made some time for yourself and enjoyed your own company is enough impetus to plan more such dates with yourself.