Celebrate love by loving yourself

Think about this and be honest, if you were actually to date yourself, would you? Try and imagine what it is like to be in a relationship with you, to go out to dinner with you, to be in love with you? It is often said that people accept the love they think they deserve. This means that if one is to open their hearts to give and accept love from another, they must first convince themselves that they are worthy and deserving.

Beyond Valentine’s Day being a day of appreciating our loved ones, it’s a reminder that at the heart of loving someone else is loving yourself first. For how can you love someone else if you do not love yourself?

Therefore, if you are in a violent or abusive relationship, the best gift to yourself this Valentine’s would be to seek ways of resolving issues in the relationship or seeking intervention from trusted family members and friends. Do not wait until the worst happens to seek assistance; loving yourself entails knowing your self worth and being brave enough to walk away.

For those in unfulfilling relationships, Valentine’s Day provides an opportunity to look inward and reflect on one’s personal needs, desires and wants. Communicate this to your partner and work on ways of revamping your relationship.

And if you aren’t in a relationship, purpose to spend the day celebrating you. Don’t allow a commercialised holiday make you feel like you are the only one with no one to kiss at midnight on this Valentine’s Day. It’s time to celebrate you. Even if you are considering a relationship after having ended one, take some time off to discover who you are and get comfortable in your own skin, as only then will you be in a position to wisely seek out a new partner.

When was the last time you turned off your phone, shut the world out and did something relaxing? You could spend the day enjoying a spa, going to the gym to keep fit or even meditating. Consider trying out something new that you have always wanted to do such as a cooking lesson or even volunteering with a local charity. Apart from picking up a new skill, this is a perfect opportunity to extend some love to your community.

If you are in a relationship, remember that romantic time together goes way beyond the material gift. Simply being alone with your loved one and spending time together without some interference matters a lot. Many people feel the pressure to buy their loved one a gift. Although there is nothing wrong with this, the best gift is to create a memorable experience that both of you will cherish. If you must buy your loved one a gift, make it thoughtful. Otherwise, simple and fun things such as making a home cooked meal together, cuddling on the couch or simply watching the stars at night together is a great way to keep your love glowing! Whatever you do this Valentine’s Day, celebrate love by first loving yourself.

Feb2015