As we approach Valentine’s, known as the holiday of Love, it is a time to reflect on our hearts, how we give and receive Love.  Love comes in so many forms and often it is Self Love which receives the least amount of our attention.  In essence Self Love is the most important journey we will take; the journey of loving ourselves We focus so much time and attention on caring for our parents, children, spouses, friends, partners, and colleagues that often our own needs are left out.  Without loving ourselves we neglect the most important Love – Self Love.

Let us explore Self Love together.  What ways can we begin the journey of loving ourselves?  Perhaps it is in the small acts of self compassion we begin offering ourselves kindness instead of criticism when we make a mistake.

I offer you some tools and steps to take to begin your journey to self love and compassion.

1.  Write yourself a love letter, in your journal or a notebook write down a few of the things you appreciate most about yourself, perhaps your resilience in the face of struggle, your kindness, your intelligence.   We rarely notice or let alone honour these aspects of ourselves and the qualities we cherish.
2. Take yourself on a date, treat yourself to your favourite dessert, go for a massage or a movie (when we are able to), a walk-in nature, treat yourself to something that you love and enjoy.
3. BE kind to yourself, forgive yourself when you make a mistake or say something unkind to someone you care about.    Remind yourself that we are all human and it is okay to make mistakes. you can try again tomorrow.
4. Try to not compare yourself to others.  There will always be those who have more than you do and those who have less.   The more we focus on what we already have… and love about ourselves and our own life, the greater our capacity for true joy and contentment will be.

Remember you spend a lifetime in your own skin, and no one can know or love you better than you ever could.  You owe it to yourself to offer yourself the same kindness, compassion and care you give those you love.  If you do not, then who will. Remember by loving yourself, you are showing others how to love you.

A favourite childhood quote that captures the heart of this beautifully is

“Today you are you! That is truer than true!

There is no one alive who is you-er than you!

Shout loud, ‘I am lucky to be what I am!’”  ~Dr. Seuss

 Go and show yourself some love today!

Amy

Cancer Care Counsellor