25 ways to love yourself well
Oh February…the “month of love” and all it’s marketed to be. Quick on the haunches of a new year, and ripe with new goals (that maybe aren’t going as we expected), by February things might already be looking a little bleak.
And then come the ads. Ad's telling us to show love, give love, love ourselves, love our spouses, love our kids, love love love love. Maybe you celebrate Valentine’s Day and maybe you don’t (I fall somewhere in between…loving the excuse to have a date night or spoil my kids, but not really doing anything over the top), but at a certain point, the commercialization of our deepest feeling and action is a little bit yucky. Something about marketing human emotions and relationships for the sake of sales and red heart shaped boxes of chocolates seems silly to me, especially because that’s not what love is at all.
Sure, love is butterflies and being swept away and snuggling your toddler and the smell of a newborn baby, but beyond those fleeting moments, it’s so much more. Even the concept of self-love is weakened by Valentine’s Day marketing schemes and product pushes.
So, here is my letter of true self-love, in case you find yourself getting lost in the red and pink waves of chocolates, grand gestures, and Kleenex box crafting. Or, maybe you just need a little boost of inspiration for how to better care for yourself (and, in turn, those around you) in a true day to day way. I hope this list can do both.
….Self love is….
…knowing what your body needs, and paying attention enough to realize when you’re not giving it what it needs.
…walking the fine line between acceptance of where you’re at and moving towards a healthier place
…feeling the softness of your body without cringing knowing that it’s the vessel that lets you experience a full life
…letting your little one pull, poke, prod, and pinch the areas that you’d rather forget. And remembering, no, celebrating them
…wearing what makes you feel like YOU
…not telling your passions “no” or “wait” or “not yet” any longer
…making space for yourself to rest and ignore some of your to-do’s
…buying that feel good snack, not because you earned it or because you deserve a “cheat day”, but because it makes you feel good
…donating the “pre-baby pants” or the “last summer pants” that don’t fit you this year instead of keeping them around for “what if”
…saying no more often and yes only when you truly want to
…spending more time alone with just you and your thoughts. Maybe a pen, journal, and cup of coffee too
…two words: heated blanket
…spending more time outside breathing, noticing, be-ing
…giving your home permission to be “lived in”
…taking a long, long shower. Alone. You’ll still hear babies crying in your head (does that ever end?) and think of your to-do list, but you’ll be refreshed and probably inspired
…going to bed early
…moving your body for ten minutes, slowly, intentionally, appreciatively
…dropping everything when you need a break. There’s no shame in being overwhelmed, but there is in not listening to it
…making time to meditate, refocus, channel your thoughts
…ordering takeout after a hard day
…spending extra time in the kitchen — conversely — because you know that well-made foods nourish more than your body
…getting ready, even if you’re just staying home
…noticing your body. Complimenting her.
…wearing “that lingerie” on a normal day (Hi, Azura Bay)
…knowing that their success is not your failure
What would you add to the list? Or, even better, how are you planning to love yourself well today?
