14 Small Ways to Be Your Own Best Valentine
Roses are red, violets are blue, and loving yourself can be hard to do…
Self-love — accepting yourself fully, treating yourself with kindness and respect, and nurturing your growth and wellbeing — doesn’t just happen overnight. Maybe you’re already really good at it. Or maybe, like me, you’re still a work in progress. Some days self-love might be really easy and some days a little harder. Remember, a journey always starts with just a few steps.
Here are 14 small ways to show yourself a little love this Valentine’s Day (or any day, really):
Read a love poem. Studies have shown that poetry is good for our brains. And there’s plenty of love poems out there. Here are a few to get you started. Find one that you fall in love with? Try writing it out in your own handwriting or even memorizing a line or two.
Take a hot (or cold) shower. Hydrotherapy isn’t just for spa days. Both cold and hot showers have benefits for body and mind.
Take five (in nature). Especially in colder climates this time of year, it can be easy to shuffle from house to car to work and back again. Spending even just 5 minutes in nature can seriously boost your mood.
Write yourself a permission slip. Need to let go of a little control but have a hard time doing so? Finding yourself saying “yes” out of habit but really want to say “not this time”? Try writing yourself a permission slip for whatever it is that you need (or even just want).
Look at yourself in the mirror and tell the woman you see 3 great things about her. This one might take some time, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve spoken kindly to yourself. But you’d be amazed at what happens when you start or end your day with this practice.
Schedule your mammogram/pap smear/other important health things. It can be SO easy to put ourselves last, especially if we’re also caring for small kids or elderly parents. Show your body some love today by making sure it gets the care it needs.
Eat a mindful meal. Too many sad desk lunches or family dinners rushed in between activities? Maybe it’s time to slow down and really savor what’s going into your mouth. Try the practice and see what happens.
Take a breath. Sure, you breathe all day. But are you really breathing? Bringing awareness to your breath (or even trying some breathing exercises) can help you plug back into yourself.
Phone a friend. Humans are wired for connection. What better way to show yourself some love than by ringing up a friend who loves you dearly?
Try the chocolate meditation. Don’t let those Valentine’s chocolates go to waste! Connect with your senses in a meditation that just about anybody could enjoy.
Do a random act of kindness. It’s almost paradoxical how doing something kind for others can help lift moods and boost self-esteem. Of course, there are limits and you may need to be careful not to overextend (especially if that’s something you’re prone to). Start small and remember that it could be as simple as a kind word and smile to the grocery store clerk.
Write yourself a love note. It could be as small as a PostIt or as long as a letter. Take a moment to remind yourself of all the things you’re good at and all the reasons you’re pretty great.
Write (or pick) a mantra. Having a “script” can make it easier to stick to positive self talk (or stop negative self talk when we slip). Try finding a short, repeatable phrase that will lift you up. (Here are a few to get you started.)
Get a good night’s sleep. Turn that phone to do not disturb (or, better yet, set a daily “bedtime mode”) and curl up at a decent hour. Sleep is a keystone to mental, emotional, and physical well-being and you’re worth all those beautiful zzzzzzzs!
Practicing self-love is an important step in really showing up to yourself. If you’d like some support as you practice, I’d be honored to help. Learn more about working with me here.