I don’t know why I love Valentine’s Day so much! It is a “hallmark” holiday for sure, but the intent is so pure and sweet, and other-focused that it really makes my heart sing.

I start thinking about everyone I know who needs a little tenderness. The lonely souls who live alone, who maybe lost a loved one. The others who live alone and LOVE it, because they cherish their alone time.

For them, I would suggest to take the extra care for themselves that is ofter thought to come from a sweetheart…buy some flowers for yourself, make a yummie dinner and sit down with a glass of your favorite beverage. Go to the gourmet food store and buy the unusual fruits or vegetables and wake up your palate.

Now my mother’s generation used to know how to do “pampering yourself”. I always found that phrase funny, but it is essentially the same thing that I am talking about here. A bath, a spa treatment, hair…(at 90, my mother still goes to the hairdresser once a week to get a wash and fix). Beautiful.

I didn’t do any of that. Perhaps a mani/pedi for an important event. I could learn from my mother!

So what do you do for yourself to shower yourself with care? It could be carving out 20 minutes in the morning to meditate and write in a journal. Or, it could be creating a good boundary with housemates, around tv and music, and instead use the time for yourself at the end of the day to plan the day ahead. I place all of this in the self-care category.

Caring for yourself is really non-negotiable, even for yourself. Don’t let these little rituals slip away because there is “no time” or “I’ll get to it later”. There is no later. Today is the time to begin. These self-care ideas are very inexpensive too; they just take time and thoughtfulness about your own needs.

So let Valentine’s Day be a reminder that you matter, that your needs matter, that performing small acts for yourself will definitely make you a better, happier person because you care, with love.

Diane