Valentine’s Day: We give cards, we get cards, we give gifts, we get gifts, we see love, we show love!
Valentine’s Day is about love. Not only love towards others, but also towards self-love.
However, most of our lives is spent on loving others, sometimes even at the cost of neglecting our own health and wellbeing. From the moment we wake up in the morning, we are responding to other’s needs and wants.
What's Stopping You?
Looking around at your friends and family circle, it is obvious that most people don’t really love themselves. It’s not like we don’t want to love ourselves. we just don’t know how to.
According to a research study, 20 to 40 percent of women are dissatisfied with their bodies. The same study concluded that 10 to 30 percent of men show body dissatisfaction.
Another study finds that three out of four people globally want significant change in their life.
Virtually, every person hears a judgmental and critical interior monologue each day. A voice that reiterates the beliefs about ourselves and the way others might perceive us. If we don’t feel fulfilled in our relationships, Valentine’s Day may be the time that our inner critic gets an even bigger playground. “Not good enough! Not Loveable!” But how can we love and give more to others if we don’t love ourselves first?
Self-love involves learning to appreciate your own gifts and blessings when life is just rolling along. The process of falling in love with yourself is challenging, but very rewarding. Self-love shows us a gentler, kinder way to live in the world.
Here’s a list of things you can do to enjoy Valentine’s Day with a focus on self-love and self-care:
1. Do Things You Enjoy
Is it working, exercising, or having a lazy day reading in bed?
If you love to work on Valentine’s Day, we are here to tell you that you are one of the few lucky ones who enjoy what they do. There is absolutely nothing wrong with spending your day focusing on your passion. Remember, burnout doesn’t come from working long and hard. It comes from not enjoying what you do.
Other ideas of rewarding activities on Valentine’s Day:
- Hiking
- Volunteering
- Dancing to the music you love
- Getting your favorite beverage – How about Special Valentine’s Day drink from Starbucks?
2. Let Go of Friendships That Do Not Serve You
Friendship breakouts may be a taboo topic to talk about, but Valentine’s Day is a reminder that an emotionally draining relationship is not worth your time and energy. You must cut it short before it takes a much bigger toll on your mental wellbeing. Refuse to be bullied, taken advantage of, or manipulated. Ending friendships that aren’t right for you will also help make space for self-love and new connections. The act of letting go includes social media accounts that make you feel negative about yourself. Unfollow, unfriend or mute any accounts that get in the way of you feeling your best and appreciating your gifts.
3. Take a Bath With a Sequence of Rituals
Taking a bath is a great way to spend Valentine’s Day, especially if you follow a sequence of rituals:
- Apply a facial mask – You can purchase one or make your own natural-based mask using simple ingredients like honey, rosewater, turmeric, or aloe vera.
- Dry brush your body to stimulate circulation and help with lymphatic drainage.
- Put your favorite relaxing music on.
- Light some candles and spend the evening soaking in your favorite bubble bath. Don’t forget to add rose petals for an extra touch of self-love.
4. Dress Up
Remember this memorable tip passed along from Tina Turner to Oprah: “Oprah, you should dress up for dinner, even if no one else is there. Just so you feel beautiful to you. For yourself.”
The power of dressing up might be underestimated, but it has now backed by research. In fact a recent study shows that dressing your best even improves workplace productivity. You have probably felt this when you put on a nice dress or suit. It’s true: when you look good, you feel good.
5. Shop, Prepare and Cook
Cooking a simple dish is the ultimate act of self-care and self-love. If you’re new to cooking, choose ingredients that require minimal preparation. There are a ton of quick, delicious recipes you can choose from. Try a new recipe or cooking method for a change.
Try a yummy breakfast recipe for a delightful start to your Valentine’s Day or a mouth-watering red velvet dessert to finish your night.
6. Switch Off Social Media
When you look at social media – Instagram and Facebook – do you ever think that everyone else is living a dream life? Your inner critic starts talking, making you doubt yourself, your abilities and your achievements. If social media is harming your wellbeing and self-love, abstain from looking at it on Valentine’s Day. Make a conscious decision on how you’ll spend your time in place of screen browsing. You’ll be surprised how much calmer and more stress-free you’ll feel by the end of the day.
7. Buy Yourself Flower
A bouquet of delightfulness can create a perfect display of self-love on Valentine’s Day.
Not only the ultimate luxury on Valentine’s Day may be to see your favorite flowers, the trip to the store to choose from the wide array of flowers in different colors, patterns and shapes is a fun and simple self-care activity.
Let this Valentine’s Day be a reminder of the countless things you can do to show “you love you”, as without self-love, you won’t be able to be the best version of yourself to love others either.