February is the month of romance, and with that comes Valentine’s Day: a celebration of loving other people. But while it’s always important to focus on your relationships with others, you must still make time to take care of yourself.
If you don’t have a Valentine this year, now might be the opportunity to be your own. This February, embrace a return to the fundamental art of loving yourself.
Now is the time for self-love
You’ve most likely heard the term “self-love” before, and it means something different to different people depending on their situations.
Often, it is thought of as embracing and upholding concepts such as self-respect, self-esteem, and self-worth. But self-love also includes giving yourself grace and compassion. It is when you intentionally choose to show up for yourself, to support your needs and wants, and to honor your limitations.
“Self-love is about replacing that harsh inner critic with a really kind and compassionate voice,” says Natacha Duke, a Registered Psychotherapist with the Cleveland Clinic. “The ability to practice self-compassion is a really good way to define self-love.”
Self-love is a practice. It’s something you have to learn and build habits around. A good way to do that is by practicing self-care, which will lead to a better overall mental and physical well-being.
Some ways to practice self-love this February
Make space for your emotions
The first step to practicing self-love is to accept yourself — your entire self — for who you are. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you have to perceive yourself as perfect. That’s obviously impossible; you can still have aspects of yourself that you want to improve.
However, in addition to letting yourself feel the good feelings, you should allow yourself to sit with the uncomfortable ones. Give yourself permission to work through your emotions however you need to, whether that’s through a good cry, a journal session, or a few minutes of meditation. Learning to find a balance will take time, but with consistency, it will happen.
Have a personal heart-to-heart
Inner peace depends on the love you have inside, and your mood on Valentine’s Day is no exception. Instead of comparing yourself to the relationships of others around you, direct your energy inward and recognize the ways in which you are valuable and lovable.
Perhaps it’s time for some self-reflection. Embrace a day of solitude. Practice being vulnerable. Journaling or writing letters to yourself can help you get to the root of complicated thoughts and emotions.
Do something that brings you joy
Building healthy habits means participating in activities that make you happy. Indulge in a hobby. Bake something, create a piece of artwork, read a book, go on a walk. Reconnect with nature and get a breath of fresh air. Ground yourself in the now.
Connect with your loved ones
If you ever start to forget your own worth, spending time with people who love you will remind you of it again. Friends and family members (at least, those with whom we get along) are talented in bringing out the best in us. They can remind you of the strengths of your character if you ever have trouble finding them within yourself.
Host a get-together with your friends. Call your parents, schedule a hangout with your siblings. Watch a movie with somebody, or play a game together.
They love you for a reason! Don’t be afraid to lean on them.
Get off the internet
Comparing yourself to others is one of the easiest avenues toward feeling bad about yourself. Don’t let yourself do it!
If you find yourself scrolling on social media, envious of others’ lives, then put away the phone. Focus on the things and relationships in your life that you love and are grateful for, rather than the things you wish for.
Besides, someone’s social media presence is rarely representative of the truth, and is most often a highly glamorized version of their life. Still, it’s difficult not to fall into that spiral.
In addition to your mind, take care of your body
Give yourself a day of self-care — take a long bath, do some yoga, go for a run, treat yourself to your favorite nourishing meal.
Exercise has been proven to increase your well-being and can reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in the long term. Plus, routine physical activity will have a positive effect on your sleep schedule.
As well as upholding your physical health, maintaining good physical habits will improve your mental wellbeing.
Remember, it’s your journey
Everyone’s path to practicing self-love looks different. That is okay! Again, comparison is the thief of joy, so do what works for you.
This Valentine’s Day, take the time to nurture the most important relationship in your life: the one with yourself. It sounds obvious, but you’ll be with yourself forever. Building healthy habits now means creating a stable future for your mind and your body.
