“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance!” – Oscar Wilde
Right you are, Mr. Wilde, right you are.
To tell you the truth, I’ve had some pretty crappy Valentine’s Days. I remember on one Valentine’s Day in particular I was heartbroken over having split up with some guy and I went to Trader Joe’s to console myself with some flowers and chocolates. At checkout, the cashier asked me if I was getting these things for a special someone, to which of course I should have responded “Yes – ME!” but instead muttered something or other quietly and then went and cried in the car.
OY! If only I could pass on some wisdom to my formal self. If only.
But I digress 🙂
Our culture has a way of telling every one of us that on Valentine’s Day a) you should have a partner and b) you should buy materials things for said partner.
So I thought that on today of all days, it would be helpful for all of us (me included) to do a simple self-love exercise. Because if there’s anything I’ve learned in this life, it’s that what’s MOST important is love – true, genuine love – for yourself.
I’m happy to say that although it took me nearly 40 years to get here, I can now say with absolute certainty that I love myself. I think I’m pretty darn awesome (seriously). And I hope you love yourself too!
Pick one of the following and do it as a way of wishing yourself a Happy Valentine’s Day!
- Buy yourself a Valentine’s Day card and inside it write yourself a love letter, telling yourself all your favorite parts of your personality and life.
- Treat yourself to one of your absolute favorite things, whether that means a bubble bath with champagne, cooking your favorite meal, a long walk with your dog in the woods, or a shopping trip to the mall.
- Take yourself for an affirmation walk, during which you’ll only say nice things to yourself in your head i.e. I am beautiful, I am kind, I am fun to be around, I am brave, I am smart, etc!
