You are your own perfect Valentine. Celebrate that!
Valentine’s Day has traditionally been the holiday of lovers. In more recent years, the holiday has expanded to include important platonic relationships. You probably know someone who celebrates Galentine’s or Palentine’s Day. But what about using this day as an opportunity to celebrate your most important relationship? The one you have with yourself.
What would celebrating yourself on Valentine’s Day look like?
Here’s my idea. Start with a “Jolts of Joy” brainstorming. Make a list of all the small things that make you smile…your favorite foods and drinks, most comfortable (or confidence-inspiring) clothes, enjoyable activities, comforting objects…you get the idea.
Then, depending on your schedule, your budget, and your mood, select at least three items to incorporate in your holiday. No need to stop at three…that’s just a starting point!
Need some inspiration to get started?
Here are some items that are on my list today (in no particular order):
- Coffee in my favorite mug
- Wine in my “Queen” wine glass
- Pasta or sushi
- A fancy salad
- Freshly baked pastry
- A soft blanket and a book
- An easy, comfort-based yoga session
- A sound bath
- A massage
- Fresh flowers
- Music by Phoebe Snow, Carol King, or Simon & Garfunkel
Why wait?
Perhaps you are reading this after Valentine’s Day is over. No worries…and no need to wait until next February. Why not create your own holiday on a day of your choosing? Call it Self-Love Day or The Day of Me or whatever else suits your fancy. Just do it!
Your turn
- If you created a holiday to celebrate yourself, what would you call it?
- How would you celebrate your personal holiday?
- What else is on your mind?
That’s such a great idea, Christie, but why just stop at a single holiday? I love your list and, of course, many of the items can be enjoyed daily 🙂 Now that I’m retired and don’t have any major obligations to anyone but me and my husband, I think I’ll call this holiday “today.”
I love the idea of celebrating “today,” Janis! No reason to wait for a specific day of the year to treat ourselves, especially for us retired folk!
Hi Christie – what a lovely idea and something we should be doing for ourselves regularly – not just saving up for a special occasion. I’ve just been for my morning walk, finished a coffee in my favourite cup, and I’m reading the latest JD Robb novel (my favourite author) – and now I’m here commenting on your blog post – so I think it’s been a pretty good morning so far – Happy V Day!
I agree, Leanne. Every day is a special occasion and worthy of treating ourselves well. It sounds like you had a lovely start to your day. I’m not familiar with JD Robb, but I see that the books say “Nora Roberts writing as JD Robb,” and I am familiar with her. I’ll have to check our a JD Robb book; they look interesting. Happy Valentine’s Day!
A wonderful idea, warmly greeted after just completing a basket of ironing. It really isn’t good when home becomes associated too much with chores. Reckon I shall now check my calendar and book myself a day’s holiday.
I hope you have your holiday booked on the calendar, Caree. You definitely deserve it after completing a basket of ironing.
This is such a great idea! I think every day is a good day to show some self love 🙂
I agree, Sammie! I hope you took some time today to do just that.
I’m a big advocate of self-care in all it’s forms, both the indulgent and the responsible. My usual day for me involves lots of reading and lots of tea, plus a snuggle blanket in colder weather. Things I could add would be reflexology, maybe a facial (which I’ve never had), a manicure and/or pedicure (those paraffin ones are amazing), a trip to an art gallery, a stroll along the seafront, hours to wander around a certain book store in London’s Marylebone (although any bookstore would do at a pinch), a purposeless trip around interesting shops without any time limit, and a haircut from my old hairdresser while we chat all things psychology and people.
Love this Christie, thank you, it’s reminded me of the things I could do for myself and given me a nudge to do more of them.
What a wonderful list, Debs. I hope you enjoy at least one of those things today, and keep all of them on your “to-do” list.
I’d call the holiday ME DAY! That’s not original, btw. Years ago I watched a TV series called Keen Eddie and one of the characters declared that she had her own ME DAY. I loved the idea, but have yet to do it. I’m sure my celebration would include sleep, cake, a pedicure, more cake, a rom com movie, more cake, and wine.
I love ME DAY. I haven’t had a full ME DAY in a while, though every day since retirement has involved some ME time. A few years ago, I did have a Day of Me, as I called it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Perhaps I am due for another one. I definitely think you should get your ME DAY on the calendar!
I’ve created Jolts of Joy lists before and then thought about how to bring them into daily (weekly/monthly) living. It’s probably a good time to relook at my list, think what might be new idea, and then incorporate some into my life again. Thanks for the reminder!
I agree it’s good to refresh your list on occasion, Pat, and be reminded of things you may not have enjoyed in a while. I’ve been feeling restless (spring fever) lately, and checked my list for indoor activities I haven’t done in a while. As a result, I just made a shopping list for a couple of new recipes. I’m going to do some experimental cooking this weekend.