14 ways to show love to yourself
With Valentines Day approaching I have been thinking about the power of filling our own cups and loving ourselves rather than building expectations of others which can lead to confusion, disappointment and resentments.
I don’t like to have any expectations on this holiday... I know when I first met my partner I was a skeptic of Valentines Day and always said I never wanted anything... but then as time goes on and you’re in a nice settled relationship you can begin to change and want to feel the reciprocation of lovey dovey-ness going on around you.
I know that my change of heart was utterly confusing for my partner who had always known me to be indifferent to the occasion. This lack of communication and understanding led to unfulfilled expectations and resentment from me... learning from my experiences I will remain surprised if I am to ever receive something yet still have fun with the kids baking daddy heart shaped bickies.
I remember that I’m a lucky lady who gets bunches of flowers on tough new moons and choccies for hard nights up with the kids, showing me love and appreciation.
We don’t need a special day to remind us that we are in love. But hey I can still feel like I’m missing out if my love cup is running empty so I better top it up myself!
14 ways to show yourself love
Buy yourself flowers!! I always get such a giddy rush from buying beautiful fresh flowers... heading to the flower markets is one of my favourite things to do. Intuitively choosing the flowers to light me up that week... or even better getting a flower plant that you can nurture and keep. I had a house Orchid that I kept going for 2years before it finally passed over, it always reminded me of love.
Run yourself a bath, use your good soaps, salts and oils. Dim the lights and get your candles out put on some relaxing tunes and let your body soak like a Goddess... why not add in some herbs like chamomile or lavender and rose petals for good measure!
Self massage, using beautiful balms and oils. I use my Blessing Balm to rub all over my body paying special attention to the areas that I feel are harder to love. Filled with flower essences for ‘Woman’s Worth’ it helps to shift my mindset into a state of tenderness and love. Rub your aching feet, caress your breasts and belly and touch all parts to get to know the sensuality of touch.
Write yourself a letter about everything you love about yourself, I remember I once wrote myself a love note and stuck it up on my bedroom door to remind me to be kind to myself “I love the way you smile, you have a beautiful smile...” unfortunately I can’t remember the rest but the thought of it still lifts my heart.
Wear your good dress! You know the one you save for Christmas Day lunch or your cousins wedding... You deserve to feel that beautiful everyday. This goes for the good jewellery, underwear, make up... perfume or oil blends. What makes you feel glamorous? Do that!
Eat nourishing foods! No more leftovers from what the kids refused at lunch... create a fresh zesty salad just for you, add all the good stuff... fresh herbs from the garden? Yes! All the flavours! Pour yourself a refreshing cold drink, why not in a wine glass, yep even if it’s just water, add a slice of lemon and you’re a Goddess sipping fresh spring water!
Sit out in nature with nothing to do but observe the life around you. Yes this is an act of self love... to give yourself time and space just to be! No phones, no selfies in this moment, sure bring the kids if you have to... they can probably benefit from the grounding attributes of nature too. But just stop for a while, hands and feet in the earth and just breathe!
Connect to your body... in a way that nourishes you. Some people feel energized from a run and for some people (me) that’s more like torture. What ways can you connect to your physical body through exercise? Going for a walk maybe or my favourite is some slow stretchy yoga.
Read something inspiring! When I was Konmarie-ing my storage room I found my old book of poetry and I got so immersed in it again, reading my favourite poems from so long ago. What inspires you? Your favourite author or poet... hunt it down and relive that moment that inspired you to grow into the person you are today.
Block out some alone time, when all is quiet and well so you’re not going to be interrupted and really delve into your meditation practice. Take a journey to meet with your guides and hear all their wonderful praise for how far you have come and feel their support strengthen you onwards in your next step or maybe you could journey with a nice drum beat to help you connect to your inner wild goddess Aphrodite
Put on some high vibing music and let your body flow to the music! Don’t worry if you can dance or not this is just for your own enjoyment and freedom. Love who you are and have fun with some crazy moves that take you out of your everyday rhythm and into one of ecstasy.
Treat yourself with some good quality dark chocolate. A raw dark chocolate is actually really good for you in small doses you can even make your own using only a handful of ingredients! You will feel so indulgent, especially if you combine with some fresh fruit... mmmmhmmm.
Rest! Take yourself to bed early, make yourself a cosy nest with fresh sheets and make sure you’re as comfortable as can be and sleep... rest! Sprawl out and roll in the blankets before anyone else joins you in the bed... bliss!
Have a pamper session, book a massage or a mani pedi if that’s your thing... what about a facial? Beautify yourself however you see fit... get your hair done or even just do this for yourself at home. A head massage from yourself whilst washing your hair can be divinely invigorating!
I hope you can take something from this list or that it’s inspired you to come up with something more your style that will help you to feel love this Valentines Day.
Blessings And Love to you!
Dania