Relationship Status: Self-Love
How to inspire self-love this Valentine’s Day
It’s that time of the year when shops and advertisements are full of red hearts and redder roses, and love is in the air. There is no better feeling than loving, and being loved. So why don’t we start with ourselves? Here are 5 things you can gift yourself this Valentine’s Day, so that loving and living can become one and the same:
Buy yourself flowers
Add a splash of colour and the scent of spring to your home by buying yourself a pretty bouquet. Have fun arranging the flowers in your favourite vase, and keep it somewhere you can see it. No vase? No problem! Repurpose an old glass bottle for that clean aesthetic that’s also sustainable. Who said romance is dead?
Tip: Ask your nearest florist for locally grown flowers, and go for paper packaging to reduce the strain on the environment.
Make a vision board for the rest of this year
The year might already be in full swing, but it’s never too late to realign your goals and aspirations for the future with a vision board. If you’re not familiar with a vision board, it is a visual representation of your goals and aspirations: Write down the things that you want to make progress towards, the things you want to be doing, the places you want to see – the sky's the limit! Give yourself the gift of positive affirmations, and a promise to be kind to yourself going forward. This board is by you, for you, so be sure to do it with love.
A cozy candlelit dinner for one
Picture this: the warm glow of a flickering candle, the rich aroma of fresh food, soft jazz music… Take yourself on a date, right in the comfort of your own home. We know cooking can be tiresome, especially after a long day of work, so the menu needn’t be too complicated – all that matters is that your tummy is happy by the end of the night. Put on an outfit you love, play that Spotify playlist, and light those heavenly scented candles. This night is for you, the rest of the world can wait.
Hair-care is self-care
The winter cold might be receding with every passing day, but it doesn’t hurt to give your luscious locks some extra love. Warm up your favourite hair oil, and massage your scalp gently for 3-5 minutes (you can even set a timer!). Scalp massages promote hair growth, reduce stress, and increase blood circulation that can prevent hair fall. Nothing like a soothing massage to show your body you care.
See the sights
Many of us get caught up with work, social events, some more work, and forget to take some time out for ourselves. So this year, try going to a restaurant you’ve been wanting to eat at forever, but never had the time, or visiting a local library to catch up on some reading. If you live near the coast, dip your toes in the ocean, and if you don’t, have some me-time at a quiet park.
This Valentine’s Day, spend some time with yourself. Take deep breaths, calm your mind. Remember that you’re doing the best you can and that you are loved, even by yourself. And finally, let’s try to carry this energy with us beyond the 14th of February!