8 Daily Rituals to Practice Self-Love on Valentine’s Day & Any Day!
Valentine’s Day has arrived and with the emphasis on fancy dinners and gifts, sometimes we can get caught up in the commercial display of love, but love also includes self-love, which can too often be forgotten. Here are eight rituals you can do on a regular basis to practice self-love and give yourself plenty of satisfaction…without the boy toy!
- Love the Skin You’re In
Skinny-minny, curvaceous, pear-shaped, athletic, pleasantly plump, big boobs, no boobs, muscular, short, tall and everything in between, show yourself some love! Admire yourself in the mirror and take some selfies! (Don’t forget to smile, or at least ‘smize’—smile with your eyes for any of you who aren’t familiar with the Tyra lingo). This may sound like a vain practice, but a little vanity never hurt anyone. In fact, you may start to feel a boost of confidence and—as they say—confidence is key!
- Free Your Mind
Mind clutter is something that most of us deal with on a daily basis. There is always something to do: work, school, taking care of the kids (for you moms out there), getting things done around the house, updating your social media, working hard to get that raise, best way to go about learning your next Chopin Etude (okay, maybe that’s just me on the last one)—but you get my point. The list can go on and on, and God forbid if you actually have a stressful situation land in your lap on top of it all.
With so many things to think about and so much on the mind, it’s absolutely imperative to take some time out of your busy day and mind detox! For me, walking is my saving grace (I walk A LOT!). The fitness benefits are of course wonderful, but there is much emotional and mental benefit as well. Walking or gardening for as little as 20 minutes a day can help prevent depression, says a University of Toronto researcher who examined 26 years’ worth of scholarly research.
There are many statistics on the therapeutic benefits of walking. However, if walking is not your thing, try to do some type of consistant practice of mentally unwinding for at least 30 minutes to an hour each day (meditation & yoga are other good alternatives)…you’ll be thanking yourself for it!
- Make Your Tummy Happy
That’s Right! In an age where us women can be focused on beauty and getting that ‘hot bod,’ sometimes we feel that we shouldn’t eat the wrong thing or that we need to have an almost perfect diet to look our best. Can I just say “wrong, wrong, WRONG!” And by no means am I putting down eating healthy (I can actually be quite the health and fitness freak myself). With that said, I still think it’s important to eat something you really enjoy, even once a day. You’ll feel better. My guilty pleasure is champagne or a glass of Red Zin (sometimes a brownie if I’m feeling really spicy!). Chocolate, champagne, tuna, vegan cupcakes…hey whatever your stomach desires, go for it! It gives you something to live for (and you can always work it off the next day if you start to feel self-conscious afterwards).
- Spoil Yourself
This is a must. There are lots of ways to spoil yourself, I’m specifically referring to pampering your skin and your body. Now we may all not have the time, patience or funds to be able to go to a spa daily or even weekly. I’m not suggesting everyday needs to be a spa day (but hey, if you can live that lifestyle, more power to you!). However, I would suggest a visit to the spa at least once monthly (either for a facial or massage, if not both). I’ve started my regime of getting a facial every 4-6 weeks to keep my skin healthy and glowing.
Below is a picture below of me and my skin care specialist, Jenni, right after she provided me with a relaxing and much needed facial (no make up, no filter, only forehead glare from the flash, lol).
On a daily basis, I have a skin care regime and enjoy using these additional products from Clear Essence which bolster the way my skin looks and feels (great products for women of color, evening out tones and promoting smooth and soft skin). The Specialist SkinCare Body Oil is one of my top pics from @ClearEssence and it makes my skin so soft and smell oh-so-good) .
Otherwise, I typically get a massage and mani-pedi once a month on average. It just makes me feel better about my self-care, my appearance and of course makes me feel very relaxed. Sometimes, as women, we feel that we have to be the nurturers to everyone else, especially if we are married and/or have kids. This does NOT mean we should neglect ourselves. Please do something as often as you can to feel like you give yourself the attention and pampering that you give everyone else.
- Write Yourself a Love Note
Sounds cheesy, but just try it! I’m not saying you have to write a lengthy Shakespearian soliloquy professing an undying love and passion you have to yourself; just try something simple! Like “Hey Good Lookin’! Lookin’ pretty fly today. Keep on rockin’!” on a posted note on your mirror, for example. Or, what I like to do is write positive affirmations in a journal. Any type of written text reinforcing and encouraging positive attributes about yourself will help increase your self esteem and I’ll bet you it’ll put a smile on your face 🙂 .
- Masturbate
Yeah, yeah I said it! If you’re a prude, you may have stumbled on the wrong webpage, because I’ll just put it out there that I personally have nothing against sex, especially safe sex that puts a smile on your face, and masturbation fits the bill! (plus who knows how to please yourself MORE than yourself? **Cough Cough** NOBODY **Cough** AND you only need ‘me, myself and I’ (no one else) to get the job done. No fake orgasms, no having to explain what to do, no doing what you don’t want to do: NO HASSLE. So grab that sex toy (or whatever it is you use) and go to town! “Brown Chik-a-Brown Cowwww!” (Sorry, Mom, if you’re reading this)
- Prayer
Sounds ironic given I just talked about masturbation (LoL), but prayer is actually a big part of my life and it is something that, for those who acknowledge that there is something greater than just ourselves, can bring much relief and a feeling of serenity. Regardless of your religion or creed, putting those positive vibes out to the universe I feel can signal her (the Universe) to only bring you—or whoever you are praying for—blessings. If not religious or spiritual, writing any positive sayings down (like the love note / positive affirmations mentioned earlier) is still a way to raise your vibrations and manifest more goodness in your life.
- Dress for Success
Yep! Have you ever heard the expression, ‘when you look good, you feel good’? It’s true! I was actually discussing this topic last night with a friend. She was saying that when she looks nice and dresses up, takes the best care of herself she possibly can, she not only feels better; she notices other people responding to her more positively and, subconsciously, makes them feel good too (more positive interaction). Everyone’s vibes are raised…It’s a win-win!
You don’t have to work in the fashion industry, have a high-powered job/make a lot of money or dress fancy schmancy to dress for success. When I say ‘dress for success,’ I simply mean dress the way that makes you feel amazing! What’s the occasion? Doesn’t have to be any. Some of the times I put effort into looking my best were just to run some errands where probably not that many people were going to see me. I was doing it because I wanted to look good…for me, myself, and I.
(me, wearing one of my favorite tropical dresseses from JenksFashionique)
Hope these tips and practices help you to love yourself even just a little bit more this Valentine’s Day and every day, ladies. Loving you,
xoxo
~Lesley Yvonne~
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