Many of us find it hard to love ourselves. We hold ourselves to an outlandish standard that is unattainable, unrealistic, and arbitrary.
Take time this Valentines day to give love to others and to give yourself love. Spreading love is a great way to make you feel warm and gooey inside but giving love to yourself is the best way to improve your self-image and self-appreciation.
Here are 14 ways to love yourself this V-Day:
Take time out of your day to be alone, in a quiet room, and just listen to the sound of your own breath. Try some of the breathing exercises on the Self-Love Collective membership. It’s a great way to ground yourself in the moment and just appreciate the way your body and your mind feel. Tune in to your internal voice and just listen.
2. Put away your phone
Taking a break from social media is so good for your mental health. So put your phone on Do Not Disturb, put Instagram away, and let it wait; the world will continue spinning without you for just one day.
3. Treat yourself
Buy that good cup of coffee, get those shoes you’ve been looking at, buy a new outfit to strut around your house in, or some activity that you find pleasurable that’s been on the backburner for some reason .
4. Get the girls together (virtually?)
Zoom cocktails with the friends, family, and loved ones is one way to enjoy the company of those you want to show some appreciation for. Find a way to spend time together, safely!
5. Practice altruism
Altruism is the act of pure selflessness, simply doing something out of the kindness of your heart. Volunteer, donate money, food, or clothes, any act of kindness that will inspire love in those around you.
6. Write yourself a love letter
Send yourself a letter from the point of view of your “lover”. Tell yourself everything you want to hear!
7. 5 things you’re proud of from 2020
Take time to reflect on the year we have just endured. It was a shitty year to say the least, but find 5 things that you can be proud of and write them down. If you can find things to be proud of in a time of turbulence, imagine what you will be proud of when there isn’t a global pandemic going on.
8. Make yourself laugh
Laughter is the best medicine, so watch your favorite comedy, watch some funny videos, or do something that you know will make your belly ache from hysteria.
9. Start a vision board for your self-love journey
Vision boards are a great way to shift your mindset and keep yourself inspired. Create a vision board that will inspire you to love yourself more. Include things like activities that make you feel loved by yourself, people that make you feel loved, activities to combat negative self-talk and self-image, and quotes that confirm your beliefs of how you can love yourself.
10. Make a Valentine for yourself
This one is similar to writing a letter for yourself but, if writing a whole letter sounds like too much, maybe pull out some arts and crafts supplies and make yourself a Valentine. A great creative outlet that also makes you feel loved!
11. “I love you”
Say it to those you love and it will make you feel it to.
12. Check yourself out in the mirror
Grab a piece of paper, get naked, and look at yourself in the mirror. Write down your favorite parts of your body and an adjective to describe that body part. Here are some examples:
“my strong legs”
“my curvy waist”
“my thick thighs”
“my cute feet”
ONLY positive thoughts!! Keep this list close when you’re feeling down to remind yourself what you love about you.
13. Turn up the radio
Dance in the mirror, jam out in the car, grab your kids and shake your booties. Pick your favorite song and just let loose.
14. Rest
Take a nap, go to bed early, and rest. You deserve it!
Have some fun and cultivate your own love. While it is great to be loved by others, you can’t love them back fully until you love yourself. Cultivate that for yourself this Valentine’s day.
© Jessica Gershman, 2021
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