Hey Valentine, You Are Loved
I know, you're probably thinking...not another V-Day post, but this one is different. I want to give a different narrative to this Valentine's Day because we often associate the day with showing love and appreciation to others. Still, amidst the celebrations and gestures towards loved ones, it's crucial not to forget our most important relationship with ourselves. This Valentine's Day, let's shift the focus inward and celebrate the power of self-love.
###The Importance of Self-Love
How are you showing up for yourself today?
Self-love is not merely a trendy concept but an essential practice for maintaining mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Here are a few reasons why self-love is crucial:
1. Boosting Self-Confidence
When we love ourselves, we build a strong sense of self-worth and confidence that radiates in all aspects of our lives. I mean, one of the greatest of all time, Whitney Houston, told us that "learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all!" 💜
2. Enhancing Mental Health
Self-love involves self-compassion and acceptance, which are vital for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. When I am more focused on showing myself love and self-compassion, I am better equipped to navigate life's challenges. I know that acceptance of self for many of us isn't easy to achieve; it takes practice, but just like any skill, if we focus on it and work consistently at it, we get better, we identify what works for us, and we can create a consistent practice that we can feel great about.
3. Improving Relationships
By loving ourselves, we set a standard for how we should be treated, leading to healthier, more fulfilling relationships with others. Self-love is absolutely vital in building and maintaining healthy relationships. Without self-love, we are more capable of accepting less than we deserve, which invites opportunities for unhealthy relationships.
Strategic Ways to Build Self-Love 💕
This Valentine's Day, I would love to share with you some ways I practice self-love, and encourage us to make a conscious effort to treat ourselves with the love and kindness we deserve.
1. 🧖🏽♀️ Practice Self-Care:
Dedicate time each day to indulge in activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul, whether taking a relaxing bath, exercising, walking in nature, or simply prayer & meditation. Ask yourself, what do I need to fuel my soul?
2. 🚫 Set Boundaries:
Learn to say no to things that drain your energy and make you feel unappreciated. Setting boundaries is a powerful act of self-love that protects your well-being.
3. ✅ Positive Affirmations:
Start your day by affirming your worth and capabilities. Repeat positive affirmations that resonate with you to boost your self-esteem and self-love. I have been loving absolutely loving the Affirmations & Ad-libs track by my good friend Soul Cole. You should definitely play every morning for the next week and repeat the words out loud. You will feel so empowered. Listen here.
4. 🥳 Celebrate Your Achievements:
Acknowledge your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem. Celebrating your wins, big or small, reinforces a positive self-image and boosts self-love. Pausing to reflect on your growth and accomplishments is fundamental to having the continued energy to keep going. Pause today and ask yourself, what am I most proud of myself for right now?
5. 🙏🏽 Practice Gratitude:
You all know by now that I believe firmly in the power of gratitude. It is the solution to most of our internal conflicts. Cultivate a habit of gratitude by appreciating the things you have and the person you are. Gratitude shifts your focus from lack to abundance, fostering self-love and contentment.
This Valentine's Day, let's remember the importance of loving ourselves as a foundation for loving others. By embracing self-love, we cultivate a deep sense of compassion, kindness, and empathy towards ourselves and those around us. Happy Valentine's Day to the beautiful soul that is you—worthy of love, especially from yourself.
P.S. - I will be hosting my first event of the year, please save the date for March 23rd!!! It will be a lovely women's brunch intended for us to Gather & Grow, celebrate Women's Empowerment Month, & create beautiful, soulful manifesting collages, and give me opportunity to announce some amazing things to anticipate for this Soulfully Spoken community in 2024. As we embrace spring and the second quarter of the new year, let's prioritize getting together and each opportunity to fill our cups! I can't wait to see you there, and I will share more information and how you can purchase tickets soon. Happy Valentines day to each of you, you are loved! 🥰
"May you always remember your worth & know you are loved"
Soulfully,
Vanessa