Today is Valentine’s Day. (You’re likely already aware of that.) When I sit down to plan my content calendar, I like to try to look ahead and see what things are coming up, any fun events or releases, holidays, or anything of that nature. So when I started thinking about what I wanted to do for Valentine’s Day, something in me really just wanted to talk about the importance of loving yourself first. On the day where it’s all about loving other people, I think it’s important to remember that we can’t fully or wholly give love to anyone else in the capacity they deserve until we are doing that very thing for ourselves. So today, I want us to all practice a little self love…and take it beyond just today.
For many of us, it’s incredibly easy to give our time, attention, love, & care to other people. That is a really beautiful quality, by the way. I in no way intend for this post to imply that you should stop doing that. Rather, I think it is a great opportunity to take a look at how we are treating ourselves. Do we take time for our mental health by doing things that make us happy? Are we asking for help when we need it? What does our inner dialogue sound like when we are talking to ourselves? Is that voice negative or uplifting? Are we beating ourselves down with every little stressor or mistake? Those things impact not only our own feelings of self-worth, but also the love we are able to give back to the world.
Show yourself some grace. We are not perfect people. We were not created to be. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t perfectly worthy of good things and of love.
Whether you are in a romantic relationship or not, I think today is as good as any to reflect on how we are treating ourselves. What we allow into our universe from our very own actions toward our being is exactly what is going to find it’s way back to us. Have you ever been in a bad relationship? Chances are, you can draw a lot of parallels between your self-confidence at that time and how that person treated you.
I think it’s important to focus first on the things we really like about ourselves. Let those things be our cornerstone on days when we might struggle a little more to feel good enough. Those days will happen…we are human after all! Expect them, prepare for them, absorb them, & move on. Then let us build on those things and start accepting ourselves for who we are, rather than beating ourselves up for what we are not.
Recognize your worth. You have something to offer this world that no one else can…because no one is you. That is a truly wonderful thing, no? Then make sure you are spending time with people who also recognize it. Let go of the people who don’t and who don’t treat you how you should be treated. Love yourself first. Once you are able to realize that you can eliminate those people and that negativity from your life, you’ll be making a huge statement that you value yourself and know what you are worth. This is not a selfish thing…this is an integral thing to us living our lives to the happiest and fullest possible. It’s selfish to not take those actions and rob the people that deserve it of our full selves and our full heart. Because then we will be able to give the best of ourselves, and the most of ourselves, to the people that really deserve it. And they will give it back, and it will be a beautiful thing…the way it should be.
So if you’re stuck in a relationship on Valentine’s Day that you know isn’t right, please don’t settle. If you are waiting for your person to come along in this world to spend your life with, please don’t settle. If you just need a little help remembering to take care of yourself too, please don’t settle. Stay resolute in knowing who you are and valuing what you deserve…and don’t budge for anything less.
Do you see the importance of loving yourself first? Please don’t overlook caring about your needs as well. When we are helping our own hearts be fulfilled and content, we are better able to love, serve, and show up for the people around us that we care about.
I challenge you to take some time today to either quietly think to yourself or to write these down, but list the things you love about yourself. Tell yourself that you deserve the best this world has to offer. Write down how you expect other people to make you feel, and how you hope to make others feel when they leave an interaction with you. Put that positivity out in the universe so it can come back to you.
Oh, and if you have time, I also highly encourage a bubble bath & a glass of wine. You deserve it.
What are some of your self-love/self-care tips?!
xo,
Bess
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