Happy Valentine’s Day! I think this is a holiday most people either love or hate. Whether or not you have someone in your life to call your valentine, this day can still be about love. In fact, I’d like YOU to be your most important Valentine this year. Read on to learn 3 ways you can love yourself today.
Step 1: Make a List
Take out a piece of paper and start a list of all the good things about you — your talents, achievements, personality, characteristics, strengths, etc. If negative thoughts come to mind, acknowledge them, but don’t write them down. We all have flaws. But we all have things about us that are amazing as well. I’m sure you see the flaws in your friends and family, but that doesn’t change the love you have for them. You need to give yourself that same respect. Focus on your many positive qualities. Focus on your strengths, your abilities, and your admirable traits. Let go of harsh judgments, comparisons to others, and self-hatred.
Step 2: Be Kind
We tend to be hard on ourselves, sometimes because the people who were supposed to love us weren’t always kind or set high expectations that were impossible to reach. Be gentle with yourself today. Know that in any given moment you are doing the best you know how. Take some time today to do something you love to do. Read a book, go for a walk, snuggle with your kids. Most of all know that you are a divinely inspired being who has intrinsic worth no matter what you look like, or what job you have, or whether you’re married or single.
3. Give yourself a break.
You’re not perfect! No one is. You don’t have to be at the top of your game every day. No one is happy all the time. No one loves themselves always. Be willing to embrace your imperfections and excuse your bad days. Don’t set such high standards for yourself. Remember that you have limits. Do the best you can and be okay with that.
I’m perfect and worthwhile just the way I am.
And so are you!!
I think it’s time that we all resolve to accept and love ourselves exactly where we are. Without all the improvements that we could doubtless make, without the pressure to be better. Without the voice of our mother, or father, or third grade teacher that we carry in our head.
What a concept, to just be at peace with who and what we are right now. Does this mean that we should remain stagnant or refuse to make changes that would benefit our lives? Not at all! It simply means loving yourself now, exactly the way you are!
Happy Valentine’s Day! Thanks for being a part of Sublime Reflection and lifting my spirit every day with your comments. Go out today, and acknowledge your awesomeness, be kind to yourself, recognize your intrinsic worth, and give yourself a break.
Join the Conversation
Do you find it easy or hard to love yourself? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
