When people think of Valentine’s Day, images of two people sharing some sort of “moment” comes to mind. Couple’s everywhere look forward to this holiday with either anticipation or dread, depending on how they are feeling towards each other at that time. But what about all the single people? Where do they fit into the Valentine’s Day season?
People often forget that Valentine’s Day is a celebration of LOVE, and that includes loving yourself. Therefore every person should be joyfully partaking in this holiday, regardless of their relationship-status (single or together, happy or troubled). In fact, if you don’t start every day by loving yourself, you’ll have a hard time truly loving others around you.
I came across a great quote by Lucille Ball: “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line.” Most professionals who help others for a living (therapists, personal coaches, ministers, youth workers, etc.) agree with this quote wholeheartedly.
The more you love yourself, the better you feel, which translates into a more confident self-image that other people inevitably notice and are attracted to…….causing endless opportunities for you to develop new and interesting friendships which may become very important over time.
So as Valentine’s Day approaches, take a moment to reflect on this: Do you take time regularly to appreciate who you are and what you’ve accomplished with your life? If not, spend time on February 14th loving yourself as well as those around you (By the way, I believe the essence of Valentine’s Day should be celebrated EVERY DAY, not just in February).
Finding ways to love yourself and others is actually simple. All it takes is a desire to do so, a pen or pencil, and something to write on (preferably your calendar). Studies have shown that when people actually write something down, they are more likely to do it. Here are some suggestions to make the essence of Valentine’s Day a regular part of your life:
1) When you wake up each morning, take a second to choose two things you love about yourself – then brainstorm as you are brushing your teeth about how to use one of those things to celebrate who you are and positively affect the lives of the people around you.
2) Buy yourself two gift cards. Keep one in your wallet and keep the other in your car. When you are having a rough day and need a “pick-me-up,” use the gift card in your wallet to remind yourself how special you are. Use the other gift card as a give-away when someone you care about is having a rough time and needs to be reminded of how special he or she is.
3) Choose to invest in making a long-time dream or goal come true. Your goals and dreams are just as important as anyone else’s. No matter how many commitments you have, you must make time to focus on yourself regularly. Love yourself by giving yourself permission to invest in something you’ve always wanted to do. A great “I love you” gift for someone else is to invest in making their dreams or goals come true. Better yet is to find a joint goal, and invest in it together.
4) On the 1st of every month, block out six hours on your calendar – 3 for yourself, and the other 3 to spend time with a friend or a loved one. That dedicated time is a valuable way to love yourself and others, enhance relationships, and give yourself a well-needed break from the craziness of life.
5) When you go to bed every night, reflect on all the things you accomplished that day. Whatever you achieved, or took a step towards achieving, is something to be proud of. If someone you know accomplished something significant, leave yourself a note to make a point of telling them how proud you are of them for that achievement.
Enjoy your Valentine’s Day holiday, and all the exciting ways to celebrate it regardless of whether you are in a relationship or not. Have a wonderful day, and remember to keep your eyes open for all the exciting possibilities within and around you!
~Kris
Kris (Cavanaugh) Castro
The B.O.S.S. Coach
Helping Business Owners Set Bold Goals and Secure Amazing Results to Successfully Thrive at Work and Home!
404-551-3601
**Image by dfrsce on FreeDigitalPhotos.net**