Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. But when you are overwhelmed with life stress, it can be hard to get to a place of gooey love for your partner or husband. Your energy is spent, and you have too much on your mind. You’re in no mood for writing a romantic card.
That’s why this year, I’m encouraging you to love yourself first.
I’d like to explain by telling you a story. I believe in the power of setting intentions, of meditation and visualization and the ability to create your best life. I love reading books that inspire me, and one book that recently really touched me and has stuck with me was “Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It,” by Kamal Ravikant. This short (68-page) book made a huge impression on me, and has changed the way I begin my day, every day.
The idea is the same as the old “put your air mask on first” analogy — you must fill yourself up first before you can be of use to other people. But while that idea is easy to understand, it can be difficult to live. This small book made me fully understand the importance of feeling, expressing, and living love for myself. To love myself in the same fierce, intense, all-encompassing way that I love my children.
What could each of us accomplish if we truly loved ourselves unconditionally? If we were able to live our truth, without concern for expectations from others or what social constructs tell us?
And so I use this inspiration to begin my morning, every day. I wrap this idea into a meditation practice: every morning I spend 15 minutes in quiet meditation and I repeat in my mind the phrase:
“I love myself. I love myself. I love myself.”
I just say it in my head, but you could say it outloud if that works for you. Even if you don’t fully believe it at first, the act of committing to the idea of loving yourself can create new pathways and patterns in your mind. The action of committing to self-love will lead to the belief.
And when you truly love yourself, then you have the power to share your love with others.
While magazines will tell you that self care and self love are all about manicures and massages, I think it’s more than all that. While those activities sound delicious and relaxing, the true nature of self care is honoring the raw, honest truth of you. Accepting and appreciating your uniqueness, and celebrating who you are.
Happy Valentine’s Day, my friends. I hope you can celebrate by loving yourself first.
With love & gratitude,
Get help starting your own meditation program with our Happy Mind + Healthy Body guided meditation program. It can help you improve your health, reduce stress, and create positive new habits.
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