Emma Watson recently described her relationship status as being âself partneredâ instead of single, and honestly we all need to start using this term. For me, ‘single’ has always had a negative connotation, as if youâre forced to be single. Sure, some people do want to be in a relationship but at the same time we should be putting ourselves first. Even if youâre with someone you can still be self-partnered. Ultimately, being self-partnered means putting yourself first, it means taking time for you. Being self-partnered means that youâre content and even empowered being on your own. Dating yourself is a long forgotten act that needs to be brought back. Weâve been told for so long that you canât love anyone else without loving yourself, so why not try falling in love with yourself the way we do with other people?
I know this sounds ridiculous, but hear me out. Why canât we take ourselves out, or get ready for us? When did doing something for ourselves become so foreign? Get yourself those flowers, go do a solo movie date, buy the expensive chocolates and wine. Let yourself indulge for you. Maybe the idea of wining and dining yourself is weird but thatâs not entirely what Iâm suggesting. Dating yourself means putting you first, that means listening to what you want to do, not just others. It means listening and communicating to yourself, this can be accomplished through simply thinking to yourself or even through journaling. Having the ability to vent to yourself is key when trying to raise self love.Â
Iâve seen so many men, women, and others degrade themselves because they donât think theyâre good enough for other people. But why canât we just be good enough for ourselves? Iâm aware that all of this may be becoming a bit repetitive, but I donât know how else to express this. Itâs the small stuff that helps our self-esteem, itâs the decisions that seem so insignificant at the time that makes the day better. Itâs putting on that outfit because why not, itâs grabbing the iced coffee cause thatâs what you need, taking time to cook for yourself, small, tiny decisions that make you feel so much better. It’s the seemingly insignificant decisions that echo through the rest of your day. If you continue paying attention to small decisions then bigger ones become so much better. As clichĂ© as this will come off, we are all walking down the same path. Some people sprint, others take days to make a step, but as long as you keep moving, then any pace is ok.Â
So for the last month of 2019, I will not be upset for not having a partner, I will not complain about my time alone, Iâm going to put myself first. Taking care of me is going to be a new priority.