7 Ways to Love Yourself this Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is kinda like living Prom over and over every year.

Someone has to ask you, you have to worry about what to wear and where he'll take you. You have to act romantic even though it feels forced and awkward.  It's never all it's cracked up to be.

And that's IF you get asked to the prom.

If you don't get asked, you spend the day and evening wishing for that awkward dance and ugly corsage more than anything else... because it would mean someone, anyone, thought you were worth "it."

Whatever "it" is by the way. Personally I think it's an unattainable "it." Maybe it's the diamond commercials or the lovers being shown in a perfectly clean and quiet house with champagne and... all the other things that we fill in the blanks when we see those idealistic pictures.

I hated Valentine's Day before I got married.  And then I got married and felt so bad for the pressure the holiday puts on my sweet husband. Now that I have two daughters, as I was prepping for their preschool festivities, I contemplated the years of fun and often tortured Valentine's Days they will face. The longing they will feel to be loved in "that way" on "that day."

Today, if you're feeling the pressure, or feeling lonely, or if you're sad because of the unattainable "it" Valentine's Day is supposed to bring, please consider this:

It is perfectly fine to LOVE YOURSELF today. In fact, you may get something you really want!

There is power in making friends with yourself, making peace with your situation as it is and taking time to show yourself some love.  It doesn't have to be today, Valentine's Day, but if you're sad today, maybe it is a perfect time to change your thinking from expecting someone else to love you to loving yourself.

Here are some ideas:

1. Go buy some special bath products and take a luxurious bath.

2. Get a 1/2 bottle of champagne and have a glass, toast to yourself and all you have to offer the world.

3. Smile Big all day, and believe in your worth.

4. Pick up some beautiful roses. Arrange them in a place you can see them and enjoy!

5. Buy yourself a gift and get it gift wrapped.

6. Get yourself a mani pedi and or a massage.

7. Make your own plans for a nice dinner, with or without someone else. Be comfortable making a date that will make you happy.

Someone else does not have to do this for you. You can do this for yourself!  And it's enlightening to do it. Try it, let me know how it goes.

I personally believe God created each person in love with beauty and purpose. Believing in our value, knowing that we are special, helps us lift our eyes out of sadness and into a place of hope and strength.  We can see how we matter when we believe that we matter.  You matter.  Love yourself today.  You are precious.