L-O-V-E: A four letter word that represents one of the most complicated and mysterious emotions ever. Our emotions towards love become even messier when the attention is pointed at ourselves, ie: self-love.
For many of us, the idea of self-love sounds more like a luxury than a necessity. Or perhaps the idea of self-love brings up connections more alike to a new-age fad for those who simply have too much time on their hands.
Why are our thoughts on self-love met with so much resistance and criticism? Shakespeare offers his opinion on why we are prone to self-sabotage in the lines:
Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.
As Shakespeare suggests, it is our minds and thoughts that keep setting us up for failure and self-criticism in a modern world obsessed with success and perfection all the time. In reality, perfectionism is actively bad for you and resulting in an array of adverse health effects that includes shorter lifespans, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, eating disorders, depression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies.
So, rather than ending up in a tragic fate like many of Shakespeare’s love-torn characters (I’m looking at you, Romeo and Juliet) is there anything we can do to avoid this fate? Yes.
First off, acknowledge that self-criticism is bad for you. Beating yourself up over every little error gradually chips away at your sense of self-worth and makes you less happy.
Here are some Self-Love tips and ideas to make yourself fall even deeper in love with yourself for the perfect being you already are:
Is Yoga your kink?
Try this self-love yoga practice: https://youtu.be/GAnKh5kKpgA
Ease your mind
Insight Timer is an incredibly supportive tool for your meditative practice. There are thousands of guided meditations to help you stay grounded and it’s free to use: https://insighttimer.com/
Bathe Yourself in Love
Romantic Valentine Herbal Bath Blend:
Ingredients:
½ cup Epsom Salt
¼ cup Rose Petals
1 cup Hibiscus Flowers
1/2 cup Comfrey Leaf
1/2 cup Dried Sage
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix well. Store in a labeled jar in a cool, dry place.
To use, place Romantic Herbal Bath Blend ingredients into a muslin drawstring bag and tie shut. Place this bag in your bath water as the tub fills. The hot water will dissolve the salt and soak the herbs, extracting not only their beneficial properties but their color as well. The result will be a floral scented bath water with the perfect tint of pink fit for a Valentine’s Day soak!
Other Self-Love Treats:
Go for a massage/walk/shopping spree or all three
Allow yourself to sleep-in without feeling guilty
Eat that extra slice of dessert
You deserve all the happiness in the world.
