“If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else”
~Rupaul~
Years ago Valentine’s Day was the most depressing time of the year. I remember when I used to work at Victoria’s Secret during that time and would feel so sad knowing I had no one to share it with. I couldn’t wait to get out of there. Back then I had horrible self-esteem. I believed that if someone were to love me I could learn to love myself. I needed the validation of another to feel whole. Talk about self deprecated thinking. This kind of thinking kept me stuck. Kept my self-esteem at zero. I’m not sure when the light-bulb went off and I realized 1: Valentine’s Day is just another money making day, 2. I needed to love me above anything else.
I wanted to write this post today because I’ve already started to see people’s sadness about this day. A day that truly holds no value in you as a person. I used to want to be showered with gifts on this day because that’s what you do right? Well the Universe has away of showing you what you need. My husband doesn’t do Valentine’s Day. I will not be showered with gifts on this day, but I know he loves me just the same. I also love myself enough to know I don’t need gifts to see I am loved.
So what are some ways to practice self-love, see below
1. Do something for yourself. It can be small such as taking a half an hour from social media or doing some self pampering. I love face masks. I can just zone out for 20 minutes or so and just have me time. Or if your feeling fancy get a massage, treat yourself to dinner or a movie.
2. Write a list of gratitude. I’ve found recently using the G.L.A.D. Technique to be a great way of bring positivity in. The G.L.A.D. Technique by Donald Altman can be life changing.
G-Grateful- One thing you are thankful for that is relevant to your experience today.
L- Learned- One fact, skill or something you discovered about yourself or a friend.
A- Accomplishment- One accomplishment, anything from something incredibly small to wonderfully grand.
D- Delight-One thing that touched your heart today. Anything that brought you joy or was pleasing to your senses.
3. Work on building a community of positive people. It takes a village with building a community of love and support.
4. Stop comparing yourself to others. It’s just a recipe for disaster. Instead of finding the negative in yourself, pause and find one good thing ( using the G.L.A.D. Technique is a good tool)
5. You are amazing just as you are! Self-love is a daily practice. They don’t sell it in stores. It comes from within.
Love & Light
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