Subscription Boxes and Infinite Delight

In the past year, COVID-19 has tested us with stress, and stress-tested our coping mechanisms. I don’t drink anymore (quitting five months before a global pandemic was AN AMAZING IDEA) so when faced with uncertainty and isolation, I do what many people choose to do: I shop.

Let’s pretend for a moment that my love language is receiving gifts. It isn’t, but for the sake of this argument, it very much could be.

So if my love language is gifts …

And self-love is an act of courage in a brutal world ...

Then I am very brave for buying myself so many presents.

My favorite of all the presents that I have bought myself over the past year are the subscription boxes. They are the gifts that keep on giving. Every single month, or in some cases, season, I can be guaranteed a little gift from my past self, especially curated to whatever I was obsessed with on the day I hit “add to cart”.

My social media feed makes sure I am up-to-date with all the offerings, so there is a continual delight in adding or removing subscription boxes from my monthly mail round up. My current little gifts for a delighted self are shared below, in case you, too, want to show yourself some love. I've even included some referral links, because we can show each other a little love, too.

Simply Earth

Essential oils and toxin-free ingredients to make six natural home and self-care recipes.

Why it’s great

• Every month, I get new recipes and essential oils, some I maybe would have never thought to try on my own (what’s up, ylang ylang!).
• Whether I have a diffuser scent going, or am just putting together a new recipe, my house always smells amazing.
• Subscription to the box includes a free course on essential oils, so I feel like a wise hedge witch doling out sage (and eucalyptus, and lavender) advice.

If you want to try it out and save a little money, you can use my referral code for $50 off your first box: RENEER503

Archer and Olive

Seasonal box filled with limited edition journals and supplies to organize your life and improve your mental health.

Why it’s great

• The journals silky, smooth, sturdy pages that your markers and ink won’t bleed through.
• This box is packaged so beautifully. When I was a child (and an adult), I unwrapped gifts slowly to maintain the pristine quality of the wrapping paper or boxes. Opening each beautifully boxed item was the serotonin boost that living through a global crisis rarely provides.
• Website has a special club section with tutorials and tips on how to get the most out of your beautiful, high end journals (and get past that blank page fear that beautiful notebooks inspire in we, the anxious ones).

No referral code, but definitely worth checking out.

MeUndies

Fresh micromodal undies every month

Why it’s great

• These unders are super soft and hold up well to washing.
• New prints every week, ranging from adorable to sassy.
• Being a monthly subscriber gets you discounts on their other items (looking at you, hooded onesies)

If you want to save 20% on your first month, my referral code is http://getcomfy.in/o6tQX

CraftKitsune

Super cute craft kits in a variety of popular mediums.

Why it’s great

• Monthly delivery of all the supplies you need to make a kawaii craft, often with materials that are exclusive to the box, or difficult to find in the United States.
• Instructions to set you on the right path
• A welcoming and helpful Facebook group for if you get stuck along the way.
• The first month I subscribed, the kit was to make dioramas in a book box. The kit came with the book box mold, resin enough to make four books, and all kinds of fun inclusions. To say that I am obsessed with these dioramas is an understatement.

No discount referral, but the above link will kick a little bonus my way if you decide to subscribe.

Me, making stacks on stacks on stacks, to spend on subscription boxes

At this point, social media has my number and shows me new subscription boxes to try nearly every single day. I’m giving a longing glance at you, Inkredible Fountain Pen Subscription Box , The Crafter’s Box and every art supply box ever.

Do I have to spend a certain amount of brain power intentionally not tallying how much money I am spending on subscription boxes every month? Sure.

But the joy I imagine seeing on my face when I open my monthly presents is just plain priceless. And as I sit around in my soft underwear, in my nice smelling house, and writing in my journal about what craft I’m going to do next, I can’t help but imagine those priceless moments ahead of me with my subscription boxes.