Self Care: Be Your Own Valentine!

Health Toolbox Rituals Stress Management February 14, 2018

BE YOUR OWN VALENTINE!

We don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day at our place. We could almost be described as anti-Valentine-ers. Truly. My beloved finds Valentine’s Day a ridiculously commercial waste of time. And, I agree with him.

At least, for 364 days of the year, I do.

I particularly agree with him because I love him. I particularly agree with him because he has the capacity to make me laugh when I need it most. I particularly agree with him because he buys me flowers when I (apparently, according to some sign seen only by him) need them, and often when I least expect them. I particularly agree with him because he is very good at choosing meaningful gifts. I particularly agree with him for all sorts of additional reasons that I can’t really write about (because he just might consider that ‘oversharing’).

I just happen to not agree with him on the 14th February when I see all that ridiculously commercial wasting of time taking place. And, knowing I will not be receiving any cards or chocolate or flowers on that day makes me the teensiest bit jealous of all those people who are. Which, of course, makes me very shallow.

I can live with that.

“I don’t understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine’s Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon.” – Unknown

Any-whoo, that just brings me to my extremely practical suggestion for Valentine’s Day.

What would happen if you chose to be your own valentine?

What would happen if you didn’t look to Hallmark for validation and chose to indulge in some self care, just by YOU for YOU, instead?

I’ve put together some suggestions to get your ‘Be Your Own Valentine’ party started…

Choose to be your own valentine by indulging in some pampering…

Why not indulge in:

a massage
a mani’ and or pedi’
trying an isolation tank out for size
booking a far infra-red sauna session (or six)

Choose to be your own valentine by treating yourself to a ‘just because’ book…

A ‘just because’ book is one you are reading for no particular reason other than making yourself feel good. Here are a couple of ideas of ‘just because’ books on my list…

‘Two Cure’s For Love‘ by Wendy Cope

My favourite deliciously irreverent British poet. Ever.

I love Wendy Cope. I especially love her because I discovered her through a very special friend in London. Every time I read Wendy’s poetry, I am transported to happy memories in London with Sue.

‘Dumplin’‘ by Julie Murphy

Willowdean Dickson is a Texas teen who decides to enter the Miss Teen Bluebonnet pageant despite the fact that she’s not a size 0 like the other girls. Her hero is Dolly Parton, not Taylor Swift. A funny, relatable book about accepting yourself and accepting love, even if (especially if) you think you don’t deserve it.

Any book that has Dolly Parton as its patron saint is guaranteed to make you feel better!

‘Matilda‘ by Roald Dahl

Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she’s just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a kid-hating terror of a headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It’ll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it!

I love me some Roald Dahl!

Choose to be your own valentine by catching up with someone who makes you feel good…

One person who almost always makes me feel good is my sister. She gets me. And, I get her, too. Better yet, she has a way of cutting through my unhelpful, negative self-talk and offering pragmatic and constructive feedback.

She also makes me laugh. It’s a relationship I treasure.

Why not connect with someone you treasure?

Choose to be your own valentine by indulging in a little (healthy) treat…

Here are some suggestions to whet your appetite:

Very Berry Jellies

SCRUMPTIOUS Raspberry and Coconut Tea Cakes

SERIOUSLY GOOD Chocolate Pudding

Choose to be your own valentine by taking some time out in nature…

Go to the beach or lake-front for a wander
Head to the local park and walk amongst the trees
Bonus points for taking off your shoes and walking barefoot (even if it’s winter where you are!)
EXTRA bonus points if you have a pooch along for the ride

Whatever you choose – happy anti-valentine’s day from me!

Joanna Frankham / About Author

Joanna Frankham helps you to make lasting diet and lifestyle choices that serve you. Jo is your AIP Mentor and Certified Health Coach who uses tools, rituals and group programs (like her foundational AIP Reset group program) to help you break down the AIP framework into manageable pieces; all to enable you to implement positive changes to improve your health. Jo’s special sauce is her ability to facilitate bringing AIPers together in a way that is informed, inclusive and encouraging. Chronic illness doesn’t have to be isolating.