Self-Love This Valentine’s Day
When you think of love, many things might come to mind—romance movies, flowers, love songs—things that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating these things, but romantic love isn’t the only kind that’s allowed to be celebrated. Whether you’re single or in a relationship, there are ways you can benefit from self-love. This year, lean into that love. To quote the artist Vincent Van Gogh, “what is done in love is done well.”
Here are five ways you can practice thoughtful and intentional self-love this Valentine’s Day:
1. Lean Into Some Nostalgia
Set aside some time this year to be a little nostalgic. Rewatch an old movie from when you were younger, or try an activity you once loved, but haven’t done in a while. This is a great way to bring out and celebrate your inner child. By doing this, you can not only enjoy something from your past, but also reflect on all the ways you’ve grown since that time in your life. Chances are, a lot has changed. If your younger self could see you now, he or she would probably be proud of how far you’ve come.
2. Make Yourself a Care Package
The days and weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, start collecting little things that make you happy. This could be anything from chocolates, to new accessories, to simple objects that spark a little joy. Put them all together and gift them to yourself on Valentine’s Day. Obviously, these gifts won’t come as a surprise, but it’s a nice way to treat yourself and have something to look forward to when the day comes.
3. Write Love Letters to Your Past and Future Self
There’s no rulebook that says love letters should be reserved for significant others only. Love takes so many forms. From loving friends and family, to loving a partner, to loving something intangible, there’s no reason you shouldn’t also be included on the list of things to love. And that includes every version of you—past, present, and future.
Think about your past and future selves, and write them both love letters. If you could go back and teach the younger version of you anything about self-love, what would you say? When you think about your future, what ways do you want to get better at loving yourself? Write your answers, along with anything else you’d like to say. Save your past love letter as a keepsake, and seal your future letter in an envelope. Tuck it away somewhere safe, so you can open it one day when you need it.
4. Go Slow
One of the simplest ways to show yourself some love is by taking things slowly. It’s easy to get into the habit of rushing and doing things for the sake of getting things done. But, by taking things slowly and indulging in small moments—like having relaxed mornings and restful evenings—you can gain some of your own power back. Let yourself just be. This is arguably one of the most loving things you can do.
5. Be a Little Selfish
Being a little selfish doesn't have to be a bad thing. In fact, sometimes it’s necessary. Because in order to feel your best and give back to others, you need to fill up your own cup first. This Valentine’s Day, give love to yourself like you would your loved ones. Go out of your way to do something just for you. This could be anything from treating yourself to a special drink in the morning, to signing up for an activity or event just because. By giving back to yourself in these small ways, you’ll nurture and nourish the parts of yourself that often get swept under the rug.
We all need to feel loved, and to quote the Beatles this Valentine’s Day, “all you need is love.”