THIS VALENTINE’S DAY, LOVE YOURSELF!!! I said it and you heard me right. Every year, this day, there is tremendous pressure to go out on a date or do something romantic for your significant other. However, if you are not currently involved in a long-term romantic partnership, it might be challenging to derive any significance from a day centered on love. I say…why not some kindness and compassion to self! Put yourself first.
Instead of worrying about whether or not someone loves you on Valentine’s Day, work on loving yourself rather than focusing your energy on whether or not another person loves you. There are ways to love yourself that you can use well beyond February, even though it is much simpler to say than it is to put into practice. First, however, there are tactics that you can use.
To begin, you ought to engage in an activity you enjoy that does not require you to wait on anybody else. Ignoring other people’s viewpoints and concentrating your efforts instead on accomplishing the objectives you have established for yourself will allow you to focus on the activity you enjoy doing in your spare time. On the road to learning to love oneself, the first and most crucial step is to get over the habit of being preoccupied with what other people think. Because you are the only person in your life who will ever receive your undivided attention, you need to ensure that you make the most of your time by participating in pursuits that bring you happiness.
“One of the first steps toward self-love is letting go of other people’s opinions.” at the end of the day, you will only be with yourself for the entire time, so why not spend that time engaging in activities you enjoy?
Forgiving yourself for the errors you’ve committed in the past is another essential component of practicing self-love and respect. It’s easy to be hard on ourselves for things we’ve done in the past, but if we want to love ourselves, we must learn to forgive ourselves for what we’ve done. Doing this will teach us to be more receptive to new chances for personal development. For example, let’s assume you have a crush on someone and ask them out on a date, but they decline your invitation; that’s perfectly acceptable. You can now seize this opportunity to date yourself or some of your pals.
Toxic behaviours must be avoided as part of loving oneself, as this is an essential component of self-love. It is tempting to indulge excessively to fill the emptiness left by the absence of a Valentine, but doing so will only damage you in the long run. If you enjoy walking, take a long stroll to your favourite location and listen to some of your favourite music or a podcast. Not only will this keep you physically busy, but it also has the potential to release you from any negative ideas preventing you from fully appreciating the present.
To return to the topic at hand, you should do your best to focus on the present moment. I am aware that it is not as simple as it may sound, particularly if you suffer from depression or anxiety, but if we want to make the most of our lives, we have no choice but to focus on the here and now. It is pointless to worry about the past since nothing has changed, and it is counterproductive to worry about the future because it prevents you from appreciating the present moment.
“Worrying about the past won’t change anything, and worrying about the future will only prevent you from appreciating the present,” the saying goes.
Being single on Valentine’s Day is not the most convenient holiday situation. But on the other hand, this presents us with an opportunity for introspection and a fresh look at ourselves. It is easier to love other people by first having a healthy relationship with oneself.
Practice self-love on Valentine’s Day
- Treat yourself with kindness and compassion. Speak to yourself as you would to a friend.
- Practice self-care by doing things that make you feel good, such as exercising, reading a book, or taking a relaxing bath.
- Note down things you like about yourself, your achievements, and something you are proud of.
- Surround yourself with optimistic people who support and encourage you.
- Avoid damaging self-talk and instead focus on positive affirmations.
- Take time to meditate on your needs and wants and make a conscious effort to prioritize them.
- Allow yourself to say “no” to things that don’t serve or make you happy.
- Engage in movements that bring you joy and fulfill your passions.
- Remember to forgive yourself for mistakes and embrace your imperfections as part of what makes you distinctive.
- Celebrate your own love story, and respect the person you are becoming.
Taking care of oneself should always come first, even in a committed relationship. If appealing to your partner’s wants or desires makes you uncomfortable, resist the urge. This will only cause a decrease in the amount of love you have for yourself, and it may eventually result in a one-sided relationship. On Valentine’s Day, remember to be kind to yourself. Sometimes it won’t be easy, but loving yourself is the most crucial reward at the end of the day. There will be times when it will be difficult.
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“Saral hu Saadharn nhi” (Simplicity is not Ordinary). This phrase encapsulates her entire existence. A woman of few words, a daydreamer, who is certain that there is life beyond stars. An HR professional who began her writing journey when corona knocked on our doors. A Content Writer, Screenplay Writer, and published Author. She is die-hard romantic and that reflects in her quotes, poems and short stories and currently working on her first book. She enjoys cooking, dancing, singing, travelling, and is a huge Bollywood enthusiast. She is a wife, a mother and a friend you can most certainly rely on.
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