OH MY GOSH IT WAS YOU THE WHOLE TIME
Hello there and happy Tuesday! I hope this week finds you planning something wonderful for yourself. I'm drinking Buckingham Palace tea this morning and thinking about how I love...well, love!
I was almost 20 when I got my first boyfriend. Unless you count pretending to read while secretly staring out the front window at my cute neighbour. In that case, I was in a solid relationship for about three years. I had many many crushes (I love a crush!) but remained steadfastly and annoyingly single until college. My first kiss was on stage for a play I did when I was 16 and it was...awkward.
But despite the unsteady start to my romantic life, I have always loved Valentine's Day. And even though I'm in a relationship now, I don't really associate Valentine's Day with having a partner (don't worry...he's getting a card). What I truly love is the excuse to celebrate all kinds of love, the heart shaped chocolates, reading even more romance novels than usual, and I love telling my people how much I love them.
And perhaps the most important thing of all this time of year, is that I am reminded how much I have learned to love myself and my body. It is arguably the most important relationship of my life, and it used to be the most toxic. I have always found it so easy to love others, but loving myself was another story altogether. I have fought hard to come to a place where I can truly say that I love myself and I am not taking it for granted.
Every year, I buy myself chocolates, I have a standing Valentine's date with one of my amazing friends, I'm baking a batch of heart shaped cookies as I type this, and I'm so excited to be in a Galentine's Day show tonight and a Valentine's Day show tomorrow (links below if you want to come). I love doing the things and seeing the people that make me happy, and I love that if I'm hoping for a heart shaped box of chocolates, I go out and buy it for myself. And get it gift wrapped. And possibly smile at the store clerk and say "she'll love them" as I wander out the door. Yes, I really did that.
So my invitation to you this Valentine's Day, regardless of your relationship status, is to show yourself maximum love. Kick off the day by writing yourself a love letter, enjoy your favourite hot drink, walk the scenic route to work or take a personal day. Buy yourself a box of chocolates and a bunch of flowers. Take yourself out for a meal or cook something delicious while listening to your favourite music. Enjoy a bubble bath and then take yourself and your favourite toy to bed. What an excellent day!
These might be the cheesy Valentine's Day classics, but honestly, I love them. You can of course reimagine this into your best day and show yourself love in a way that lights you up. Especially if you struggle this time of year or are struggling in general with being kind to yourself, these small acts really do add up.
You deserve to feel loved and you don't need to wait for somebody else to offer it to you. Show yourself all the love that you give others and notice how things begin to shift.
And if showing yourself love means finding joy in moving your body, check out my upcoming classes! I'd love to spend time exploring joy in movement together.
Now go forth and be your own best valentine!
As always, I'd love to hear about it! How are you showing yourself love this month? Where are you on your journey of self love and what daily steps can you take to keep going? Let me know in the comments below.
As you move through this week, remember to treat yourself and your body with love, respect and kindness.
Much love,
Helen xo
