Saint Valentine’s Day is almost upon us.
For some, it’s a celebration of love or presents, or it can be an irritating reminder of what’s not in our lives right now. And for some, the commercialization of it just takes the joy right out of it.
Our external world often reflects our internal world. The love in our external world can reflect the love we feel for ourselves.
- Feeling taken for granted in your relationship? Where do you not appreciate the wonderfulness that is you?
- How do you take care of your body? What do you say to your body? Is there a correlation?
Below are three easy-to-implement processes that can be a way of saying: “I’m enough.”
First practice
The first process requires a mirror.
Gaze into a mirror and notice the thoughts that are circling inside of your head right now.
Don’t judge your thoughts, only notice them. When you notice a thought that’s not helpful, repeat this phrase: “stop it.”
You can even add your name at the end to really get the attention of your subconscious. For example, “Stop it, Tracy.” When you’ve interrupted the pattern, insert a thought that’s more empowering.
Be vigilant with this one. Every time you become aware of an unhelpful thought, stop it, then insert something that serves you better.
Second practice
The next step builds on the last.
When you gaze in the mirror, look deeply into your eyes and say, “I love you.”
Be prepared to experience a few “stop it” moments if anything unhelpful comes up. Do this every day and make remembering to do it easy by linking it to something that’s already become a habit.
For example, after you’ve brushed your teeth, look in the mirror and say, “I love you.” Do this at least three times. Let it land and let it in.
You can expand this by telling each part of your body that you love it. This is especially powerful when it’s said to an area that you haven’t loved in the past, like a wobbly tum.
Last practice
The third tip is about experiencing even more joy in your life on a daily basis.
What was the last thing that you did or experienced that touched your soul, filled your heart, or caused you to laugh out loud?
Do you have a photo or song that’s linked to that experience? If you have, make sure it’s saved to your phone.
If a day has gone by and there wasn’t a magic moment, put that song on or spend some time soaking up that image.
If you don’t have a photo that is associated with a sound or a song, write about it or draw something that connects you to it and save it to your phone; you can take a picture of it or store it in a special, easy-to-find location.
Flooding your body with positive emotions is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.
A magical morning, afternoon, or evening makes for a magical day.
Do you ever wonder how you get to the 31st of December, and you look back and you say, “That was a good year.”? It’s about experiencing the ups and downs and keeping those magical moments stacked in your emotional body. If you try to avoid the downs, you will never know the ups. The awareness makes the ups sweeter.
Incorporate these three simple ingredients to boost your self-care and, in doing so, build your self-love.
Wishing you a very happy and soul-filled Saint Valentine’s Day!