When was the last time you took a moment to celebrate yourself? I don’t mean giving a friend a high-five or having an extra glass of wine. I mean, really celebrate yourself.
Chances are it’s been a while. As creatives (especially multi-passionates), we often wrap up one project, only to jump head-first into the next, without taking more than 10 minutes to soak in our accomplishments.
I’m speaking from experience.
Take the launch of my digital shop for example. On the day it opened, I promised myself that I would celebrate right after I did “just a little bit more work.”.

*Disclosure statement* This post contains affiliate links. Should you decide to purchase/sign up through any of the links, I will receive a small commission to invest back into my business. Thank you for your support!
Several hours and two dirty chai lattes later, I left my local coffee shop feeling tired (caffeine crash) and anything but celebratory.
On my way home I popped into Trader Joe’s to buy myself flowers and a bottle of champagne. Then I went home, poured a glass of bubbles (Use code: joiknowshow for 15% off at Surely Wines for some non-alcoholic options), and binge-watched Stranger Things.
This is nice, I told myself. This is totally a celebration.
Truthfully, although it was relaxing, my “celebration” didn’t feel appropriate for something as big as launching a digital shop.
Here’s the bottom line: No matter how big or small the win, it’s easy for us to forget to celebrate. Not only because we’re generally bad at taking time out to focus on ourselves, but also— we’re not sure how to celebrate ourselves.
That’s why I’ve created this list of 15 ways to celebrate yourself. Now you’ll have 15 fewer excuses to pass on an opportunity to spend more than 10 minutes honoring your accomplishments.
Psst! For even more ideas, download my full guide of 30 ways to celebrate yourself (alone or with friends) for FREE below!

15 Ways to Celebrate Yourself

1. Take a bubble bath in the middle of the day with your favorite drink and a magazine
There’s something about a mid-day bath that feels like the best kind of guilty pleasure. If you work from home, this is an easy one to pull off. If you’ve got a day job, opt for taking a bath right after you get home, or hold your celebratory mid-day bath over the weekend.
2. Watch the sunset/sunrise and ponder your accomplishments
The sunset and sunrise are available to us every day, but how often do we enjoy them? About as often as we celebrate our accomplishments. Ha!
Handle both by watching the sunset as you celebrate yourself.
3. Visit a botanical garden
Take in the soothing atmosphere as you relish in your accomplishments. Block off as much time as you can, make a day of it!
4. Have a picnic alone or with friends, bring something to toast to your accomplishments!
Grass, a blanket, a few snacks, and friends are all you need for a picnic. You can even leave your friends behind if you want to and go solo. Either way, slowing down with a picnic is the perfect opportunity to relax into how amazing you are.

5. Get lost in a bookstore
Put your phone in airplane mode and wander through the aisles. Treat yourself to something new to read, or a book to display on your coffee table.
6. Bring home a new houseplant
A week before I turned 30, I went to a plant shop and brought home “the last plant of my 20’s.” I’m a huge plant-mom, so this was significant for me. Treat yourself to a new plant, and each time you water it, you’ll be reminded of the celebratory occasion it represents.
7. Create something, just for fun.
Doodle, paint, write. Express your creativity in any way you please, for pure enjoyment. Perhaps the ultimate celebration.
8. Write a thank you letter to yourself
That’s right. Indulge in appreciation for yourself! Bonus points if you use pretty stationary or add fun stickers.
9. Write a letter from your future self about how proud you are in this moment
This is a little time-travel-y, but it’s a fun exercise. Embody your future self and write a letter to your current self about how proud you are of what you’ve accomplished. Think of it as the older sibling version of yourself looking back on where you are right now.

10. Buy yourself flowers (and have them delivered)
Yep! Splurge on a bouquet and have it delivered to your door. Don’t forget to write a note to yourself in honor of your success!
11. Add a new crystal to your collection
Find a crystal that speaks to you and allow it to be a symbol of your self-celebration.
Related post: How to Start a Crystal Collection
12. Invite friends over for an “OMG I DID IT!” party
Get those group texts ready. It’s time to party. Make sure everyone knows what you’re celebrating!
13. Call out sick and go to the beach or visit a museum
I won’t tell!
14. Commission a piece of custom artwork
Find a local artisan on Etsy or Instagram and drop a few coins on a commissioned portrait. You’ll be treating yourself to a unique gift while supporting a fellow creative.
My personal fave portrait artist is Suhuns. Check out this portrait I commissioned from her to celebrate myself. (You can see more of her work and commission your own piece here, tell her Joi sent you!)

15. Build a fort and watch your favorite childhood movie
Last but not least: Build a celebratory fort on a Friday and leave it up all weekend! Deck the fort out everything you need inside to be comfortable. Then pop some popcorn and watch your favorite childhood movie (mine is Matilda, what’s yours?).
Now you have 15 fewer excuses for skipping this important step. For even more ideas, download my full guide of 30 ways to celebrate yourself (alone or with friends) for FREE below!
RELATED POSTS
5 Things to Try When You’re in a Creative Rut
How to Start Before You’re Ready