29 Days of Showing Love to Myself

February is commonly known as the month of love. As a child, we would create Valentines for classmates and celebrate with heart-shaped treats and candies. When we consider Valentine’s Day for our “sweetheart” it can often mean giving gifts or spending quality time together. For parents, that love takes on a whole new look. It is an unconditional bond and commitment to the safety and well-being of another human. Perhaps the most important and at the same time the most overlooked form of love is SELF-LOVE.

“In the event of a sudden drop in pressure, an oxygen mask will drop from above. Secure your own mask first before assisting others.”

Of course, on an airplane you would make sure to follow these instructions, but what about in everyday life? Do you make sure that your physical, emotional, and spiritual tanks are full before you assist others? I dare say that most cannot say yes to this. For some reason, we feel like sacrifice is the best way to show love and care for others. What if, in reality, the opposite were true? What if going to your favorite yoga class or getting a massage turned out to be the thing that filled you up? What if, because you had shown love to yourself - your family, friends, and co-workers got the BEST version of you?

I would like to invite you to try and do one thing for yourself each day this month. Pick one each day that speaks to you.

1. Step outside to get some relaxing fresh air and sunlight.

2. Grab a journal and do a small brain dump of what is on your mind.

3. Turn off your phone and drink a full glass of water in silence.

4. Do a breathing exercise or a guided meditation on your phone.

5. Put your hand on your heart and breathe deeply until you achieve a calm state of mind.

6. Schedule yourself a massage.

7. Play with your pet.

8. Lay on your back and allow yourself to daydream.

9. Read a book.

10. Draw a picture.

11. Take a warm bath with Epsom salt.

12. Exercise as a celebration of what your body can do not a punishment for what you ate.

13. Stargaze.

14. Wake up earlier than you need to and watch the sunrise as you drink your coffee.

15. Have a healthy snack.

16. Call a friend or parent just to talk.

17. Get a facial or give yourself one at home.

18. Color in a coloring book.

19. Treat yourself to an ice cream cone.

20. Start a gratitude journal and write 5 things you are thankful for.

21. Turn on your favorite music and unplug from everything else.

22. Try a new recipe that is colorful and healthy.

23. Revisit a hobby that you used to enjoy.

24. Take a nap – turn off your phone and commit to it.

25. Go to a yoga class.

26. Write down 3 things that you love about yourself on sticky notes and put them on your mirror.

27. Listen to a song you used to love as a kid.

28. Watch the sunset and focus on how the beauty changes from one minute to the next.

29. Try cloud-watching and see what figures appear.