Make It a Day from the Heart
We hate to be the ones to bring this up but … Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. This can be such a tough holiday (if you want to call it that) for some people, since it tends to bring up a lot of emotions. Regardless of your relationship status, it can be either a day to look forward to or dread. This year we’d like to help even the field for everyone.
If you’re not in a relationship, rather than focusing on the romantic aspect of Valentine’s Day we suggest that you flip the script and focus more on yourself. Make the day all about self-care. According to Psychology Today, self-care is an incredibly important component of one’s physical and mental well-being, and it’s one that often gets overlooked in the hecticness of everyday life. As Maria Baratta, Ph.D, L.C.S.W. puts it, “self care in essence is the mindful taking time to pay attention to you, not in a narcissistic way, but in a way that ensures that you are being cared for by you.”
Interested in learning how you can make sure your Valentine’s Day is truly memorable? Read on!
Show the Love to Yourself
If you’re alone on Valentine’s Day, use this opportunity to do something special for yourself. Prepare your favorite dinner, curl up on the couch and read or take yourself to that museum you’ve been thinking about. Give yourself the gift of slowing down and nurturing your deeper self. Make time for what you’ve been putting off and longing to do.
Spend Quality Time with Others
If you have plans with your partner or friends, make it social. Put your phones away and dive into some real conversation by listening more attentively and asking questions. Been overwhelmed with work and commitments and need some lightening up? Plan a fun activity to do together such as bowling or bike riding where you can make space for laughter and adventure.
Give Your Heart to Others
You can also give to yourself by giving to others. Valentine’s Day can bring up lonely or difficult feelings for those who are alone or have experience a recent loss or heartbreak. Being a day about the heart, show your love by reaching out to a family member or neighbor in need of support. Surprise them by stopping by to share a treat you baked. Find out how you can give of yourself by visiting facilities where many people are confined or alone such as your local senior home or hospital. Perhaps bring a short story or poetry to read or photos to share. Whatever you do, it’s your attentive heartfelt presence that’s your greatest gift, both to you and others.
(Check out our yearly planners for a great tool to map out your day/week/month/year and schedule time for yourself and others.)
And – of course – your self-care Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to take place on actual Valentine’s Day… nor does it have to be just one day! Take the spirit of Valentine’s love and make it a part of every week. If you’re rocking at scheduling quality time for yourself or others, you could literally have your own mini-Valentine’s Day every single day. However you choose to your spend your time— solo or hanging out with friends, focusing on the positive will always help you feel grateful and happy, allowing you to bring the best of yourself in every situation.
Ready to expand your heart and take your self-care to the next level? Download our 21 Day Gratitude Challenge to help gain an appreciation for all of the wonderful gifts in your life.
