Red roses, chocolates, expensive gifts – Valentine’s Day has long since become a celebration of consumerism. Every year, advertisements lure us with “perfect” gift ideas, as if it were possible to measure love in price tags and candlelight dinners. But what is this day really about?
Originally, Valentine’s Day was a day of love and friendship – an opportunity to celebrate valuable connections. But over time, the focus has shifted. Today, a lot of it revolves around meeting expectations, setting material signs of affection and getting caught up in a commercial machine.
But love is more than a product. Love begins within ourselves. And what if we celebrated this day in a whole new way? Not with consumerism and expensive gifts, but with genuine, deep affection – for the most important person in our lives: ourselves.
Self-Love is the first and most important relationship we have in our lives. And yet we often treat ourselves more harshly, critically and rigorously than anyone else. We expect perfection, push ourselves to the limit and in doing so, we forget that we deserve the same kindness and care we give to those we care about.
Self-love – More than a trend, it’s a lifelong journey
For me, self-love is more than just a hashtag or a wellness trend. It is a deep, inner attitude that carries us through life. It’s about accepting yourself with all your facets, treating yourself with compassion and giving yourself what you truly need.
There are days when self-love feels easy – and there are those when my inner critic is particularly loud. On those days like these, I remind myself of a quote that deeply resonates with me:
When I stopped being so hard on myself, the world became gentler.
That’s the magic of self-love: it not only changes how we treat ourselves, but also how we experience the world around us.
5 Little Rituals to Celebrate Yourself
This “Season of Love & Friendship”, during the week of Valentine’s Day, I invite you to celebrate love in a unique way. Honor yourself with small but meaningful gestures of appreciation:
- 💗 Write yourself a love letter – What do you like about yourself? What strengths and special qualities make you unique? Be your own biggest fan.
- 💗 Take a mindful break – A warm bath, go for a walk in nature, or simply close your eyes and listen to your favorite song. Dance as if no one is watching and do something kind for yourself.
- 💗 Set healthy boundaries – Recognize your own worth and say “no” where needed. Your time and energy are precious. You are!
- 💗 Speak kindly to yourself – Pay attention to how you talk to yourself. Would you speak to a friend that way? If not, change it. Be kind to yourself!
- 💗 Give yourself a gift – Whether it’s a beautiful flower, a book or your favorite meal, treat yourself just as you would treat someone you love.
Love is the Most Powerful Energy – and it Beginns with You.
Whether you’re spending the day with someone or alone, remember: you are the most important person in your life.
Here’s to self-love, to our inner strength, and to having the courage to put our happiness first.
💗 Happy Valentine’s Day – to the most important love of all: YOURSELF.
