Valentine’s Day is coming up in a few weeks. Some people think of it as a “Hallmark holiday” designed to get consumers to spend money on flowers & chocolate & unnecessary gifts. Others enjoy having a day dedicated to expressing their love for spouses, significant others, parents, children and friends.
Personally, I think any opportunity to express our love and appreciation for important people in our lives is a good one! Do you have to wait until Valentine’s Day to do this? Of course not! I think we should be expressing our care and gratitude on a regular basis.
This includes actively practicing self-love and self-appreciation. I have spoken with several women over the past few weeks…friends and clients alike…who have put so much energy and effort into caring for those that they love, that they have not been properly taken care of themselves. This is especially true given the pandemic, and we are seeing the negative impacts on women who are trying to do it all.
As we prepare to enter the month of February, it’s a great time to be reminded of author Gary Chapman’s principles in his book The Five Love Languages. Chapman teaches that we all have a primary and a secondary love language and that is how we feel appreciated and receive love in the world. The five love languages are:
- Words of Affirmation
- Acts of Service
- Quality Time
- Physical Touch
- Receiving Gifts
As you think about the different types of love in your world, consider how you can more fully express that love and appreciation – to yourself and to others!
Self-Love.
Stop putting yourself last on your list! If you’re always giving to others, you run out of energy and steam and there’s nothing left for you. Take time to fill up your cup! Schedule time to do something just for you.
- Write a love letter to your body.
- Hire (or ask for) help with cleaning, cooking, or administrative tasks.
- Take yourself out on a Valentine’s Date – go to a museum, take a hike in nature, eat at your favorite restaurant.
- Schedule a massage for yourself, or exchange foot rubs with a friend, your partner, or one of your kids.
- Buy yourself a Sacred Celebrations self-care ritual kit.
Family & romantic love.
Sometimes we take our parents, our siblings and even our children for granted. Taking time to express a little extra adoration can go along way.
- Send a handwritten postcard to your loved ones who live far away! Use these vibrant postcards from Lori Portka or get them as part of the Sacred Celebrations gratitude in action kit.
- If you live near your parents or siblings, offer to get their car washed, do some yardwork, or bring them a meal.
- Whether your child is still in school, or an adult raising their own family, quality time is still key! Plan a special art date with your little one, or a Zoom chat with your adult child in another state just to talk about how much you love and appreciate them.
- Hugs are critical for our health and well-being. Did you know the average person requires 8 hugs per day to offer a long-term health benefits? Run around your house giving multiple hugs to the people you live with every day.
- Jewelry is always a thoughtful and tangible gift and the wearer will always think of you when they put it on. Our dragonfly bracelets each have individual healing properties that help you pick out the perfect gift for your mom, sister, daughter or a best friend. Of course, if your loved one isn’t into jewelry, find out what makes them happy (not what makes you happy) and find the perfect thing.
Business & professional love.
I don’t know about you, but I adore some of my colleagues. The fellow coaches, consultants, healers, therapists that I have worked with and known for years or some of my favorite people on the planet. Of course, I think all of my coaching clients are rock stars. And I appreciate the team members who support me with keeping my business running smoothly.
- Pick up the phone and call a few key people. Leave them messages for no reason other than to tell them what you appreciate about them.
- Give a public shout out on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram for a professional colleague that has really made an impression on you.
- If there is a business colleague you would like to spend more time with, reach out and see if you can schedule a coffee date or a lunch (it’s OK if it’s virtual on Zoom!).
- The next time you are at a networking event, be sure to look your colleague in the eye while you are giving them a fist bump or a virtual hug (since shaking hands is largely discouraged in these times of Covid).
- Gifts can be a fun way of showing you care. A cup of coffee, some delicious chocolate or some other token that says “I’m thinking of you” can go a long way.
Let me know if any of these ideas resonated for you as we head into the month of love!
May you be surrounded by love in all forms…
Elizabeth
P.S. Don’t forget that Galentine’s Day is technically on February 13. It’s a lighthearted spinoff on Valentine’s Day which encourages women to express their love for their gal pals! We would recommend sending one of our Rose Quartz Dragonfly Bracelets or a Smart Self-Care Ritual Kit.
