Traditionally, February is the month of love. With Valentine's Day and Family Day being the holidays of focus, it's easy to get lost in the emphasis on outward acts of love and kindness to your significant other, your parents, friends and siblings etc. We often forget about the most important person and relationship of all – ourselves! As much as we plan to do something special for our crush or other loved ones, we should also spend time, money and attention on nurturing our mind, body and soul. Our relationship with ourselves sets the stage and the foundation for all other relationships around us.
Treating yourself with kindness, love and gratitude as you would another has you able to fill your own cup first. This is a common phrase that is said often, yet rarely practiced. Self love can look different for everyone because everyone is different. People have different interests, hobbies and things that make them feel happy. If you have trouble finding something you love to do, try and think back to when you were 4 or 5 years old. What are the things enjoyed doing and you couldn’t put it down or stop? Was it reading, playing with Lego or painting? It could be riding your bike or running around in the backyard with your dog. Making time to pursue your interests and curiosities is a form of self-love because it feeds your soul. When you are happier, the people around you are happier. When you take care of yourself, you don’t have to rely so much on others to take care of you. Of course when it comes to family and your parents, there are certain things you may need to be provided for, however learning and practicing self love is an entirely personal experience. It’s also about knowing what your body needs and when it needs it. Be it sleep, a healthy meal, a glass of water or a heart-to-heart conversation with a friend. The more we listen to our body, the more we can be our best in life on a daily basis.
My challenge for you is to take on a 28-day self love challenge for the month of February. The task is to do something for yourself every day for 28 days. It can be something as easy as giving yourself a hug, to as grand as buying yourself something that’s been on your wishlist for months! You could also try looking in the mirror and telling yourself you are beautiful/handsome, smart and loveable – This will build your confidence and the love for yourself!
Imagine a world where everyone has so much self-love that they could treat everyone they meet with that same kindness. That is a world worth creating...together!
With Love,
Ravenne Villanueva
