Between Valentine’s Day and heart awareness month, there has been a lot of talk about love these last few weeks.
There are many different kinds of love, but the emphasis is on loving others during this time of year. In my daughter’s mommy and me class, we made Valentines Day cards for her to give away. Stores sell chocolate gifts and commercials advertise presents. If nothing else, all of the Valentine’s Day hubbub inspires people to love their family and friends.
However, I think its important during this time of the year, filled with red heart decorations, to think about the person who really deserves your love: yourself.
photo from Dollar Photo Club
As a stay at home mom, I spend most of my days catering to my daughter’s needs. I cook for her, change her diapers and chauffer around to classes and playdates. I hold her when she is upset and tuck her in at night. I love her every moment of my day, even when I am not with her. There is a constant giving of myself to her.
I love being at home with my daughter and grateful for this life that I have chosen. But, when you are always giving from the deepest part of your soul, you must remember to refill your own tank. I understand now that I must love myself fully in order to be the best mom I can be. My needs have to be as important as hers for me to stay afloat.
I firmly believe good physical and emotional health begins with self-love. If you love your body, nourish it with food. Exercise. Get a massage or acupuncture. Go to a doctor when you are sick. Take care of yourself. Make time for your needs. Don’t forget to feed your soul, which is just as important. What makes you happy? Do more of that. Maybe you need to say “no” to your family or friends in order to say “yes” to yourself. This is okay. This is good!
If you love yourself, fully and completely, without hesitation, you will be able to offer your best self to your loved ones.
So this month, treat yourself the way you treat others. How can you show some love to your body and soul? Give yourself the same attention and energy that you give your family and friends. Buy yourself flowers. Make time to go to that yoga class. Go see a movie alone. Think about what advice you would offer your best friend and follow it. Be kind to yourself. You deserve your love as much as anyone else.
Can you look in the mirror and say “I love you” out loud to your reflection? Start there and see what happens. If you are like me, you say this phrase all day long to your family, friends or pets. There’s no reason not to say it to yourself.
Thank you for the reminder to love yourself as much, if not more than you love others.
thanks gail! its so important….
A great reminder Becky 🙂 As the mom of a 9 month old and 6 year old I am constantly giving everything I have to my family. It is so important to take time for myself each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed and exhausted…even if it’s just a hot bath or quiet time with a good book. Self love is essential!
i agree! 🙂
Becky, I used to have such a hard time with this. I was never hard on others but super hard on myself. After realizing that if I didn’t stop to “love” myself, I wouldn’t be able to genuinely love others. I spent the first part of this month picking up cards and candy for my son’s teachers and friends, and actually forgot about me. Thank you for the reminder that even this month I have to love me. I think I will book that massage before the end of the week!
awesome! you definitely should. 🙂
Great reminder! This is one area that I struggle with quite a bit! It is so easy to start the day running and by the end of the night realizing I didn’t stop to enjoy the ride. A few things that I do a pretty good job of maintaining is always getting physical activity in (even if it’s getting squats in while brushing my teeth, burpees between calls, you get the idea..), aromatherapy throughout the day, and meditation. I think you just inspired me to reenact my bi-monthly date. I used to go on a date, with myself, every pay day. That fizzled out a few months after I started working from home. Thank you for the reminder and the inspiration!
you’re welcome! I love the idea of a date day with yourself.
Thank you for the reminder to love ourselves. I know that when our family and friends start pulling us in different directions it is easy to put yourself last. Taking the extra time to love ourselves is vital in leading a healthy and happy life!
It is – absolutely.
Great post! I appreciate your advice to say “no” and focus on your needs. You need to charge your own batteries first if you are going to have any energy for others.
Thank you!
SO important! I have a lot of guilt that I am overdoing the self-love because I am a huge exercise freak and make that a priority. Sometimes I need to back off and find a happy medium between doing things that make me feel good and loving up my hubby! Thanks for the reminder and affirmation that I am important and NEED to care for myself!
That is definitely a good point to keep in mind. Glad that you are able to find the medium!
Wow Becky, I feel like you were talking directly to me in this post! I watch my grandchildren everyday, I work with my husband everyday, (which allows me to watch my grandchildren), all while building a business of my own. Some days I’m so busy, I would forget to eat if I didn’t have the kiddos to remind me.
Great reminder that we have to take time for ourselves or we will eventually burn out. Reminds me of a Jackson Browne song “Runnin’ On Empty”.
Self love and self care is such an important part of a good healthy lifestyle. I definitely notice when I’m not doing the things for myself that I should be. It’s an instant wake up call for sure!