With Valentine’s Day behind us, I find that there’s a lot of room for self-hate. Doubt begins to creep in, especially if you spent Valentine’s Day alone.
Whether you felt the same after the holiday or not, it’s important to reestablish and reground yourself after a day spent expressing love towards others. Here are some ways you can show yourself some self-love:
1. Treat Yourself
If you spent your Valentine’s Day with someone, chances are you bought them a gift. It’s time to balance that energy by purchasing something for yourself. Let’s be honest: did your partner get you exactly what you wanted?
I understand your budget might be tight, so set a limit. Even if you’re saving up for a larger event, you can always find a few dollars to spend on a box of Girl Scout Cookies or some cheap yet delicious ice cream. I just went out and bought myself that new “Twilight” book with the pink cover and sprayed edges. In no world did I need that, but it’s gorgeous and made me happy.
The act of buying yourself something has nothing to do with spending money or even with what you’re buying. Instead, it’s a way to reserve some power for yourself. By making a choice without seeking anyone else’s opinion or approval, you empower yourself and remember your free will.
2. Journal
You don’t have to start journaling every day. However, I find it quite freeing to write or talk my feelings out, and then immediately destroy what I’ve said. Sometimes, we need to get our feelings or thoughts out, or they consume us. This is especially true when you don’t have anyone else to tell or anyone you can tell.
I usually record a video when no one is around and write when others are nearby. That way, I don’t have to share my deepest, darkest feelings with people if I don’t feel comfortable doing so.
Get those feelings out! Don’t hold onto them, or they’ll continue to torment you. And, when you finish, I recommend deleting what you said or wrote. Then, you can truly forget about it. Plus, even if you said some audacious things, no one will find the evidence.
3. Watch a guilty pleasure
Now, I don’t mean play your favorite movie. I want you to turn on the film that’s so bad, yet you just can’t help but love it. Think of any movie that you wouldn’t go bragging to anyone about.
In all honesty, I absolutely wrote this article while watching “Divergent.” The books are a million times better, yet I can’t help but love this movie. (And, if you think I love this movie because Theo James is in it, you are absolutely right.)
Our guilty pleasures can lift us up when we feel down. So I encourage you to talk out loud, say all the lines, and be as annoying as possible. It is the most freeing feeling.
4. Make Ugly Art
Do not go into this project planning on making something great. No. Instead, plan to make the worst thing ever. There are two outcomes: it’ll be really abstract and you will have succeeded, or it will turn out well on accident and you can feel proud.
Art is a great way to de-stress while giving you time away from a screen. Make bad art however you want. I enjoy closing my eyes and allowing my pencil to move where it wants. You can also print a coloring sheet and color it however you like, not the way the artist intended. For example, I recently colored the Shrek characters in drag.
Don’t forget to show yourself some love – you deserve it.
I know the weeks following Valentine’s Day can be a little grey. However, I’m confident that doing any one of these suggestions will make your day a little brighter. And, if no one has told you this recently, I’m really proud of you. You’re doing amazing!
Happy love-yourself day; try to make it every day.
