Why I bought MYSELF the RING of my dreams
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. However, I only recommend products I use and love.
PSA: You don’t have to be engaged—or even in a relationship—to buy yourself THE RING OF YOUR DREAMS. (..Or a beautiful / expensive piece of jewelry, ring, necklace, trip to the Bahamas or WHATEVER that looks like for you!)
I wanted an Art Deco ring LIKE THIS ONE since I first came across Heidi Gibson’s designs around 2017.
Back story: when my ex and I started talking about getting engaged, my Mom talked me out of it because it was too “over the top”. She always has my best interests I mind, and she thought I would be happier in the long run with something more simple and classic. Maybe she was right, but I never stopped loving that ring. However, I took her advice, and my ex proposed to me with a solitaire engagement ring. That relationship wasn’t meant to be forever, and I gave that ring back.
Fast forward to 2022.
I am in a happy relationship. My boyfriend and I live together and are planning a future together, including building a lake house. We have discussed the possibility of getting married in the future, but it’s not a priority to either of us right now. Maybe it’s because I was engaged before, but it’s honestly not something I even think about these days.
But every now and then, browsing Pinterest, I come across that beautiful Art Deco ring.
So I started to think about it.
Why should I wait for my partner to buy me a piece of jewelry that I love, when I can afford to buy it for myself (and start wearing it now?!)
Why should I have to wait until I get engaged to own and wear a gorgeous piece of jewelry?
What does marriage have to do with jewelry, aside from the traditional symbolism?
Why do we, as women, believe we have to be married or engaged to wear a fabulous big rock on our left ring finger?
Why does it seem more acceptable to spend a few thousand dollars on a designer purse for ourselves (which will last a few years).. than on a ring that will last a lifetime?
And why should my mom decide if a ring is too over the top for me? She’s not the one who’s going to wear it!
I couldn’t think of a good answer for any of those questions.
So I bought the ring that I had coveted for 5 years, for myself.
Why?
As a daily reminder that I love me.
As a reminder that I am committed to me.
As a reminder of the work I have done on my relationship with myself. Some of it was really hard work!
As a symbol of the vow I take daily, that I will continue to show up for myself, to keep learning, to improve, grow, and to love myself forever.
As a reminder that the love I have for myself is actually unconditional, because (unlike in a relationship with another person) I am the only person who gets to make decisions when it comes to MY relationship with me.
As a reminder that THE MOST important relationship I will EVER have, is the one I have with myself.
I anticipate getting questions, and probably some judgment about this ring, and I really don’t give a shit.
There’s nothing wrong with tradition, but there’s also nothing wrong with making a new one.. especially when the new one serves you better than the old.
So… what do you think of my ring?!
x, gretchen
Are you sick to death of...
- Feeling like a hamster in a wheel, chasing the latest social media trends?
- Trying (unsuccessfully) to "beat the algorithm" so your social media posts get seen?
- Posting on social media regularly, but not seeing much engagement, or any real increase in profits?
- Knowing you have amazing services and/or products to offer, but struggling to be seen online and getting crickets when you do reach out?
Girl, we need to talk.
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