Give Yourself the Gift of Self-Love this Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is often romanticised.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
On this day, couples will post sweet photos on social media, and some will receive flowers from their significant other. While we are happy for these couples, some of us who are single may feel left out or even unwanted. The idea that you should love yourself before loving others has become popularised, but we may not always know how to get there. If you tend to feel lonely on this occasion, not to worry – we have prepared five ways for you to celebrate self-care and self-compassion to combat loneliness!
1. Put Yourself First
As working adults, your lives may revolve around work, family and friends. However, that leaves little time for you to explore your interests and do what makes you happy. Sometimes you may not know what to do with your free time because you have forgotten what you enjoy.
Consider scheduling some time for yourself to explore your interests and set goals for yourself. For some, it may be that weekly gym time, and for others, it could be reading their favourite book or cooking their favourite dishes. These activities can help to rejuvenate your mind. Remember, you are still a human, not a money-churning zombie!
2. Be Kind to Yourself
Ever felt inferior about how you performed at work? Or do you feel insecure about your looks or your body? These feelings are normal, and even those you hold in high regard have experienced some form of unhappiness with themselves at some point in their lives. While you cannot control the judgement of others, you can learn to be more compassionate towards yourself.
If you made a mistake, you could learn from it, but there is no need to beat yourself up excessively. You can acknowledge your feelings but instead of thinking, “Why did I do that, I was so dumb!”, replace the thoughts with something kinder like, “I feel bad right now, but I did what I could in that situation” or “It’s okay, at least I know what to do next time.” Try to be kind to yourself as you would to others, and it can make a world of difference for you!
3. Learn to Let Go
When people work together, there might be some grievances or unhappiness with each other. Maybe you hate a colleague’s lack of organisation, or the boss constantly picks on you without a good reason. However, holding grudges can make you feel even worse.
Consider thinking from their perspective and let them know nicely how you feel. If you are unable to reach a compromise, you can try to minimise interactions with the person or request for a transfer in the department. Remember that sometimes it is not about you. Your colleagues may be facing some difficulties that they are unable to articulate. Don’t let them live rent-free in your heads!
4. Reach Out to Others
You may think that self-love refers to handling everything by yourself, but that is not always the case. While you may be afraid to burden others even as we desire a listening ear, many people want to care for us, and we just need to reach out to them! This could also be an opportunity for you to reconnect with old friends.
Of course, you should make sure to check if the person you wish to vent has the space and capacity to listen. If this is not available to you, there are many online options as well, such as 7Cups, a free online platform for emotional support. Remember that you are not alone, and it is okay to ask for help!
5. Create Room for Healthy Habits
Self-love should also be about pushing yourself to do things that are good for you, even if it is not the easiest. Exercising and eating healthily are some important daily habits that we can start from. You can begin by taking smaller steps towards leading a healthier lifestyle. If you dislike running, perhaps you can start by listening to music while going on a walk to keep your blood flowing. If you do not want to try extreme dieting methods, you can try reducing fried and oily foods or drinking fewer sweet drinks.
Besides altering your current habits, you can also push yourself to learn new skills or even read a book to gain knowledge. As long as you take small steps towards taking care of yourself, you can live healthier, longer and better!
Love Yourself
Loving yourself is like drinking water. Your body needs it to function, but not everyone enjoys it. However, you can learn to appreciate the refreshing taste of water, such as drinking cold water on a hot day. Try out these five tips and practise self-compassion today!
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