Courtesy: TattoosMe
It’s that time of year again when heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, floral bouquets and pink Teddy bears line the aisles of grocery stores urging you to buy something for your friends or significant other.
In recent years, probably due to Leslie Knope’s famous “Galentines Day” celebration on Parks and Rec, the holiday has become an all-encompassing celebration of loving yourself and the special people in your life. The media preaches that Valentine’s Day isn’t just for your SO, but also that you should take this day to pamper yourself and your friends, which yeah, you totally should.
Though Valentine’s Day has increasingly encouraged self-love, I think it’s important to remember that no one needs a holiday to remind them to care for themselves, appreciate their bodies and their lives, and take time away from school or work to support their own mental or physical health.
One of my absolute favorite books I’ve picked up this year, You Are a Badass, preaches embracing self-love and diminishing negative, limiting thoughts in order to reach your goals. Jen Sincero writes, “We invest everything we’ve got in believing that we’re not good enough.” Why? Self-deprecating behavior does nothing for us other than cause insecurities that prevent us from being the best versions of ourselves. For some reason, collegiettes believe that putting themselves down, comparing themselves to others and dwelling on mistakes or guilt will somehow make them more relatable because we all feed off each other’s negativity. But this should not be our reality. It’s time to change our mindsets!
In order to live your best life, self-love is a necessity, not once a year but every day.
Wake up and tell yourself that you are beautiful, that you can attain all you want to achieve, that nothing and no one can limit you.
Start appreciating your uniqueness and stop comparing you or your life to someone else’s. We’re all in different life stages.
Do something you love each day.
Appreciate and make time for the awesome women and men in your life.
Wear clothes that make you feel good.
Treat yourself to your favorite foods every so often. Life is about balance.
And according to Sincero, you must forgive yourself, because “guilt, shame, and self-criticism are some of the most destructive forces in your life.”
Valentine’s Day is a great reminder for collegiettes to pamper and appreciate themselves all year long.
And maybe pour yourself a glass of wine and watch a rom-com with your friends, too.