Love is in the air, but love yourself first

LOVE is in the air. By reports from all around the country from retailers and florists COVID has inspired us to do more for each other on Valentine’s day even if from a distance.

The love factor has extended from focussing on our ‘ beloved’ to parents sending flowers and gifts to their children, children to parents and friends showing love for friends and even companies, organisations and schools showing appreciation for each other.

“The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others.” ~Sonya Friedman.

People value you according to how you value yourself. In times of challenge, love is more important than ever. It is the highest emotion. It transforms. It drives, inspires and heals.

Here are nine ways you can show love for yourself.

True love starts with acceptance – warts and all. Interestingly. it is when we fully accept ourselves and where we are that we can grow and change. Being grounded in reality is the foundation for growth, happiness and success.

Embrace yourself – including your ‘shadow’. It is commonly believed that the shadow is home to the worst parts of us. But really it is home to the rejected and unloved parts. Shine a light on them. Love them and your potential and creativity will blossom and you will feel happier.

Have realistic goals and plans to develop yourself. Don’t sabotage. Don’t be hard on yourself when you are not perfect. Don’t give up after disappointment. Always encourage yourself to be and do better. COVID is giving us all a lot of time to self-reflect. We can all improve on our discipline. We can all improve our kindness. We can work on many aspects of our characters that are not limited by the current restrictions.

Set yourself up for happiness. Look at what is causing unhappiness. Look at what stresses you or makes you anxious and address. If doing things last minute stresses you, be prepared. Learn tools to effectively manage stress.

Look after yourself each day. Make sure your basic self-care needs are being met. Give yourself the right food and right amount of sleep and exercise. Look at what is causing problems and holding you back.

Be kind to yourself. What is your inner voice saying to and about you moment to moment? Being kind is not necessarily about spending loads of money on yourself. It is about how you care for yourself moment to moment. Forgive yourself. Encourage yourself. Be kind to you as you would be to another person that you love.

Be positive but honest with yourself. Don’t whitewash your mistakes. But don’t torment yourself. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is not here. Learn from the past and do your best today and tomorrow and every other moment will take care of itself.

Surround yourself with good people who bring out the best in you and encourage you to be and do better. People who like you will tell you what you like to hear. People who want something from you will tell you want you want to hear. People who love you will tell you what is most beneficial for you to hear.

Invest in yourself. Give quality time to growing you and helping you fulfil your potential and dreams. Look at where you are and where you want to go. Invest daily.

I often hear people saying they love themselves. But to show it moment to moment is another story. Love is attitude and action. Love is about having loving thoughts and habits. Start today with yourself and watch you blossom.

Calodagh McCumiskey is an accredited thought leader in wellbeing. She works with companies and individuals. For more information, visit: www.spiritualearth.com or contact: info@spiritualearth.com | 0871 335230 ‘Let’s grow together’.