Happy Valentines and Self-Love Day

Valentines Day has been celebrated as a day of love and affection from about the 14th century. It was originally a pagan fertility ritual but the Pope abolished this and renamed the 14 February as Saint Valentine's Day.

It is now celebrated as a time for people to show their feelings of love and affection to each other and even celebrate friendships. It has still not yet evolved into a celebration of self-love.

Traditionally it is a day where people exchange gifts and love notes, all designed to show that they care for the other person. Sometimes it hits the mark and many times it can leave one or both feeling empty because it didn't meet expectations of what they wanted from the relationship to be shown on that day.

One way to improve your experience of Valentine's Day is to incorporate more elements of self-love into the day. Whilst rushing about in your daily life you could take a moment and pause, and just ask yourself what would I like today?

Take a moment and pause, and ask yourself what would I like today?

Sometimes the answer may be to slow down and enjoy your day more, other times it can be that you would like to be around more people to enjoy the buzz of the day (rather than just be with your partner). Whatever your answer to the question, respect that this is how you can practice more self -love and do it.

There are also an increasing rates of divorce and loneliness in society and so more than ever people who don't have anyone special on Valentine's day need to practice self-love. Here are three suggestions to start you off:

Self Love Suggestion 1- Spend time in Nature

Suggestion number 1 is to spend as much time in nature today, and over the weekend, as you can. If things are a bit tougher at the moment as everyone else seems to be in a happy relationship except you, go to the beach, go to the park. Get out of the house and go somewhere in nature where you can breath fresh air and get away from the digital distractions at home. Spend the time letting go of these thoughts and feelings and enjoying your time in nature.

Self Love Suggestion 2- Plan Something Fun

If you have other single friends plan a dinner together or some other fun activity that you can do as a group to have company. If your friends are unavailable, still plan something fun to do. This may be going to the movies, going to a meetup group that you are interested in, anything that you normally would say you love doing it but you don't have time.

Practice your self-love and make the time. Is it that hair cut that has been put off for a few weeks- do it now! Or that new computer game you hadn't got around to buying- do it now!

Whatever it is that is fun for you and that you have wanted for a while- go and do it now!

Self Love Suggestion 3- Practice Gratitude

One of the most powerful ways of practicing self-love is by practicing gratitude.

I recently travelled overseas and whilst in different countries was very grateful for the fresh-air in Australia. Then the terrible bush fires happened here and I was once again reminded to be grateful for fresh-air, even in Australia. Whether it is the air that you breath, the water that you drink or the food that you eat. Practicing gratitude can shift how you see your life.

More and more with climate change happening what we have to be grateful for is also changing. Before the conversation may have been about if you were a glass half-full or a glass half-empty type of person.

Nowadays people are starting to see that the conversation is about if you have a glass to begin with, clean drinking water and are safe whilst drinking it. We have so much to be grateful in Australia so practice some self-love and feel the gratitude for what you have.

I hope that these Valentines and Self-Love day are helpful and remember that you don't need to wait until February 14th each year to practice self-love. It is a habit that can assist to decrease stress in your life, build emotional resilience and create more joy in your everyday world.

About the Author:

Michele Gennoe is the Mindful Leadership Lady and has worked in leadership roles for over twenty years as CEO, Operations Manager, Program and Change Director to name a few. She holds postgraduate qualifications ranging from International Management to a Masters in Spiritual Science. As a natural leader Michele brings out the best in people and empowers others, often in complex and multi-cultural environments.

And today Michele is a woman on a mission.  She is passionate about helping leaders to be more successful so they can live more meaningful, profitable and inspiring lives. In times of great change such as these we need guiding lights to step up and lead with powerful personal leadership styles, brands and vision.

Michele’s approach is collaborative and inclusive, and results in the transformation of people, cultures, business systems and organisations. Positively impacting on the bottom line of lives and balance sheets. www.michelegennoe.com