Will you be my valentine? 🌹

Pratik Asija
Dancing Elephants Press
3 min readFeb 14, 2023

“Love is in the air,” as they say, and this festival is all about expressing love and affection to our loved ones. Whether it’s through chocolates, flowers, cards, or a simple heartfelt message, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show someone how much they mean to us.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

But this Valentine’s I want you to focus more on yourself and practice self-love more than trying to find somebody else to love. I do not mean this for only the single people out there, but also for the couples or people in committed relationships. Relationships are not an easy thing to maintain, and you also have ups and downs too. Loving oneself is equally important as you will love someone better if you love yourself first.

“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds,” says Nicholas Sparks, and I couldn’t agree more. Does love have the power to heal, inspire and transform us, and what better way to celebrate it than on Valentine’s Day?

Self-love is all about showing kindness, compassion, and appreciation toward yourself. It’s about acknowledging your own worth and taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Last time, we talked about the importance of self-love and how it can have a positive impact on our lives. And on this Valentine’s Day, I want to remind you that the most important relationship you will ever have is the one with yourself. So, why not be your own valentine and make an effort to show yourself some love?

Here are some ways you can practice self-love:

  1. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion. Speak to yourself in a gentle and supportive way, and avoid criticizing or belittling yourself.
  2. Take care of your physical health. Exercise regularly, eat a nutritious diet, and get enough sleep.
  3. Set boundaries. Learn to say no to things that don’t serve you and prioritize your own needs and well-being.
  4. Cultivate self-awareness. Take time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings, and understand why you think and act the way you do.
  5. Surround yourself with positivity. Seek out relationships and activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
  6. Take a break from technology. Unplug from your devices and take some time to connect with nature or simply relax and do nothing.
  7. Do something that scares you. Stepping outside of your comfort zone can help you build confidence and self-esteem.
  8. Practice gratitude. Take some time each day to reflect on the things you’re thankful for, including yourself.
  9. Engage in creative activities. Whether it’s painting, writing, or playing an instrument, expressing yourself creatively can be a wonderful form of self-expression and self-discovery.
  10. Set achievable goals. Challenge yourself to try something new or achieve a personal goal, and celebrate your successes along the way.
  11. Give yourself permission to fail. Remember that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process, and use setbacks as opportunities to grow and improve.
  12. Take care of your physical appearance. Wear clothes that make you feel good, style your hair the way you like it, and take care of your personal grooming.

By practicing self-love, you can boost your confidence, improve your relationships, and lead a happier and more fulfilling life. So, be your own valentine, treat yourself with kindness and compassion, and show yourself the love you deserve.

Check out some amazing writers in Dancing Elephants Press

--

--

Pratik Asija
Dancing Elephants Press

Life is more beautiful than you will ever realize. Embrace the gift and let it work out, it all works out in the end. Live Long and Prosper.