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SBU | Life > Experiences

What Is Something To Show Yourself Love?

Madeline Thornton Student Contributor, St. Bonaventure University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

One of our members, in ā€˜Valentine’s Day: The Love/Hate Relationship,ā€™ Abbigale Nee wrote, ā€œNow I love it, not because itā€™s perfect, but because I finally understand that love isnā€™t something you earn by being chosen on February 14th.ā€

Damn. Just Damn.

My best friend tells me often when I am not making smart decisions and straight-up things that I need to hear, but this hit me in a different way.

I am a Resident Assistant, and my Co-RA is Ella. You should definitely go read her article too. Each week, we put a question on a white board, and since it’s February and the month of love *in my eyes*, I asked what is something to show yourself love?

I said read a book and watch a romantic comedy. But as my therapist pointed out last week, there are good things about our days that are small or seem trivial, but do make a difference, even if I have the worst day. My coffee is always yummy.

So, what is a way you show yourself love?

Last semester, I was losing it. I went to the gym every morning. I ate good food and I did all my homework and work on time, but something was missing. I didnā€™t see the joy in it. I had to go to the gym and I had to eat well. I had to do my homework.

So, this semester, I made a promise to myself that I would not only change my mindset, but my outlook on the day. Even though I get up before the sun, I do it for me, and I always feel better after I go to the gym. The food I eat every day not only tastes good but also fuels me well for the day and I still eat the sweet treats, which is a big win, because only a few months ago, a cookie at lunch would have sent me into a spiral of what I couldnā€™t eat for a week.

Showing yourself love could be a big act of carving out a moment for your favorite book or movie, but it is also you getting up earlier so you can do your makeup and put on your favorite outfit and have a great day.

Do something, as small or little as it may feel; do it for you.

Show yourself love every day because it makes a difference.

Madeline Thornton

SBU '28

Madeline Thornton is the Big and Little Coordinater for the St. Bonaventure Her Campus Chapter. She writes pieces that focus on girlhood, campus life, reading and a multitude of other interests. These pieces will range from fun and lighthearted, to some more thought provoking and heart tugging. She hopes to grow the sisterhood bonds with the Big and Little Program as well as her creativity within her writing.

Madeline is currently a sophomore Psychology major with a minor in Business Administration minor. Madeline not only spends a lot of time dedicated to Her Campus, but also around campus with being a Student Ambassador, working in St. Bonaventureā€™s Financial Aid office, a Resident Assistant, and being a part of multiple other clubs: Empower, Book Club, Psychology Club, Women in Business and ENACTUS.

Away from her academics, Madeline spends her time reading, working out, and hanging out with her friends and family. She has two cats, Clara and Caliope. She loves anything that could be put into a romance genre, from books, movies and more! Lastly, she loves to grab a sweet treat, her favorite ice cream is Grasshopper Pie, it tastes better than the name, she promises! She works at an ice cream shop over the summer, so she will never say no to a sweet treat!