It’s been snowy, icy, and frigid outside, but with Valentine’s Day coming up, I’ve been thinking of warming things up on the inside. Specifically, I’ve been thinking of self-love.
Do you love yourself? It can be a hard question to answer. And I’m not sure, the answer is a static yes or no, now and always.
I think a better question is how can I demonstrate my love for myself today – in this moment?
For instance, a client demonstrated her love for herself when, deciding between two job offers, she chose the one that lit her up even though it paid less and wasn’t the one her father said she “should take.”
A friend demonstrated her love for herself (and her family) when she scheduled a long overdue mammogram.
And just this week I demonstrated love for myself by catching and changing my self-talk when I noticed I was blaming myself for something that wasn’t my fault.
For many reasons, it can be hard to care for, value and love ourselves as naturally as we do others. But if we are to be leaders in our own lives, if we want to cultivate fulfillment not just achievement, then dedicating some of our precious attention to loving ourselves is imperative.
My Valentine offering to you is this luscious poem by Derek Walcott and some additional resources for your consideration.
Love after Love
Derek Walcott
The time will come
when, with elation,
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror,
and each will smile at the other’s welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread, Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.
Further Reading
- Substack Letters from Love with Elizabeth Gilbert
- Blog post: Five Ways to Feel More Love
- Quiz: Test Your Level of Self-Compassion
Now it’s your turn: How will you demonstrate your love for yourself today?
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