Whether or not you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day and the “month of love,” it’s a New Year and an opportune time to prioritize your dreams, wants and goals. When you make an effort to follow your heart, you’re showing love to yourself! Think about how you feel when you finish a project you’ve been laboring over, or when you get a high score on a test you’ve studied hard to pass. It feels good – even great, right?
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Lucille Ball once said, “Love yourself first and everything else falls in line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” I agree! Let’s look at five ways you can feel and spread the love this month.
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The Power of Love
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Did you know that your kind words, smile or gesture could completely turn someone’s day around? We humans are so concentrated on what’s going on inside of our heads that sometimes, it’s hard to listen to our hearts. Take note when a client, staff member or friend is feeling down and show them some love. Can you also do this for yourself? If you’re feeling bummed, treat yourself to something small – take the long, scenic route home, blast your favorite song. Love is a powerful gift and we should use it as one.
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You Are So Beautiful
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We are all unique individuals and our beauty shows in different ways. Be sure to plan time for taking care of your health and beauty needs each day. No fashion tips here; merely choose clothing, shoes, hair and makeup styles that you love. When you feel good about how you present yourself, your confidence gets a little boost. Positive shifts can occur when you realize how unique and genuinely beautiful you are.
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I Just Called to Say “I Love You”
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When you feel the need for connection, get in touch with close friends, family, and loved ones. Catching up with someone who supports you and is willing to listen allows you to get things off your chest, which is often necessary for letting go. Sharing your thoughts, worries or joys with someone else can also strengthen your relationship with that person. Make sure you take the time to hear what they have to say, too.
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It’s Your Love
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We all get down on ourselves from time to time, and we may lose focus on self-care or progress toward our health goals. But, how do you start the optimism train when you aren’t in the mood? Take note of even the smallest amount of growth you’ve made and rejoice in it. The late American author, Carlos Castaneda, once said: “We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.” And it’s true. You can put all your energy and emotions into negative thoughts and actions, or you can fully engage yourself in positive ones.
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Truly loving yourself is critical to your success and overall happiness. Those who practice self-love can achieve great things and help others in the process. Keeping yourself focused, recognizing your beauty, staying positive, accepting support and managing your mood are steps in the right direction. And if you get off track, just pick yourself up and get back to it. We all stumble and fall, but it’s when we get back up that progress is made.
Keeping yourself focused, recognizing your beauty, staying positive, accepting support and managing your mood are steps in the right direction.
