Don’t overthink intimate New Year’s spa

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/12/2022 (1005 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I wanted to change things up this New Year’s Eve for myself and my man. So I volunteered to surprise him with an “at my place” spa night. He said he’d be happy to foot the bill for anything we need.

To be embarrassingly frank, I haven’t been very successful thinking up activities for it. This is a last minute SOS for a New Year’s Eve we’ll both remember. Can you suggest some ideas for what we’ll need? I want to impress him, because I think he may be “the one” for the rest of my life.

— Spa SOS!, Osborne Village

Dear SOS: You’ll only need a few hours prep time! Hit some dollar stores, plus a florist to create an inexpensive “Shangri-La” in your bedroom and bathroom.

Buy some fun masks and party favours, as well massage lotions and gentle brushes with different textures. You’ll need to make up the bed with one tight sheet like those in real spas, light some aromatic candles in stable holders or bring in some Christmas lights, to help with the ambiance.

Make a playlist with some of your favourite romantic tunes and sprinkle rose petals all over the bathroom and bedroom floors. They smell beautiful when crushed under your bare feet.

What a way to shed the stress of the last couple of years! Relax, get into the sensuous, romantic mood and “treat” each other to a very special spa night. Then usher in 2023 at midnight, as a year of love, new hope and happiness!

Put on your fun masks and pop the cork of some bubbly (non-alcoholic, if you prefer) and toast the new year — whether indoors or outdoors under the moon. Happy New Year!

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts; I’m almost 19, and I’m not very proud of myself. Every year I make New Year’s resolutions, and every year I blow them all in the first few weeks, and feel worse.

I always resolve to lose weight, exercise an hour a day, get off my stupid cellphone, stop nervously chewing the side of my left thumbnail and eat more vegetables instead of junk food.

I also want to get involved with a charity to help people in worse situations than myself, but I never seem to do any of it.

This year I don’t want to put myself in the position to fail again. But, if I don’t try improve myself, I’m afraid I’ll backslide even worse. I have a lot of bad habits. Some people in my family say I’m a “born loser.” Well, mainly my older brothers. Please help.

— Want to Be a Winner in 2023, St. Boniface

Dear Winner: Here’s a more positive way to look at your life: You are a unique creation — there’s only one of you on Earth. The thing that’s missing for you is an appreciation of your own personality and latent talents, that are still waiting to be developed.

You already have a good instinct — your interest get involved with charity work. Look for a charity that’s at least partly staffed by younger people, such as Harvest Manitoba, which helps low-income folks access food they need. Check the website for volunteer activities at harvestmanitoba.ca. Get in touch this week, and get involved.

No matter what snarky things your brothers have had to say, they’ll have to grudgingly admit that’s a cool thing you’re doing.

As for dieting, forget about starving yourself. Start from the activity end with your weight-loss challenge. It doesn’t matter what the activity is, you’ll be burning calories. Some people love swimming in the winter, so check out some options around the city if it interests you. Just getting in the water can be a great mood-lifter, not to mention the low-impact exercise benefits. Don’t get stressed about not achieving all your goals at once — just get started!

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.