How to Care for Yourself on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is all about showing people in your lives how much you love them, whether that be your significant other, your children, and yes even yourself. If we are supposed to set aside a day to show everyone in our lives how much we love them, why shouldn’t we also include ourselves? Ultimately, if we do not love ourselves we are also unable to fully love others.
We are often inundated by the media how to love others around us during the valentine’s day season (or any holiday), especially those we are romantically intertwined with. The commercials for jewelry, chocolates, cards, perfume, and even restaurants. Romance is in the air. It’s all about expressing our love to others, but how are we supposed to show love to ourselves? Let’s dive into how we can fully indulge in loving ourselves this valentine’s day season.
Self Care Routine
Take time to care for yourself in whatever way suits you best. Begin the day with a long hot shower. Add a shower steamer in there with a calming scent or fresh eucalyptus hanging above the shower head. Put on some music in the background that refreshes your soul.
Maybe your self care routine consists of a healthy meal or two that give your body the much needed nutrition it needs.
A self care routine can be as simple as setting aside time to sit at the end of a long day to sit and read your favorite book or watch an episode of your favorite show.
Treat Yourself
Every time I hear this phrase I think of Donna from Parks and Rec saying “treat yo self”. Though a funny show, the sentiment is true. Whatever it is that you love, get yourself something special. It doesn’t have to break the bank. You can choose to grab a bouquet of aesthetically pleasing flowers, your favorite candy, a good cup of coffee from your favorite spot, or splurge with a new outfit.
Whatever it is that you choose, just make sure it’s something to remind yourself that you are worthy of something special.
Write Yourself
Find a journal or even a little scrap of paper, and write yourself a letter. What are some things you love and appreciate about yourself? Are you a hard worker, a kind soul, a peaceful friend, or a loving mother? What are things you are proud of yourself for doing? Maybe you’re proud of that new promotion at work, a breakthrough you had with a child who is going through a lot, or even finishing a project around the house.
Give yourself permission to celebrate you.
Adventure
Adventuring looks different to everyone. Maybe it’s going out on your own for a hike. Find a place that you love with a beautiful view and remember all that your body has gotten you through. Maybe it’s just roaming around town doing whatever it is that seems fun in the moment.
If flying solo isn’t your thing, have a good friend tag along. Adventuring can be so peaceful seeing all that there is out there in the world.
Positive Affirmations
I find it helpful to either grab sticky notes and place them somewhere like the fridge or get a dry erase marker and write on your bathroom mirror. Place these where you’re going to see it most often. Remind yourself in these notes what you deserve. They can be simple sentiments like “I am worthy of love”, “I am smart, or “I am brave”. These can also be more complex. I tend to draw towards the things in life that are more complex. My favorite one is from the author, Henry Nouwen “These feelings, as strong as they may be, are not telling me the truth about myself. The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now, is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God’s eyes, called the beloved from all eternity, and held safe in an everlasting embrace.”
Love Yourself
No matter what you choose to do or what you choose to leave behind for the day, choose to love yourself well. No matter what it is you feel about yourself on your worst day, you deserve to love yourself. I hope your valentine’s Day is full of love and you are reminded your value.
